Can we all exhale and breathe for a minute

[hamsterjill]

This isn’t a thread about answers. Only about coping. The stress is high today and has been for years. The unknown has us all frightened and concerned. Our compassion and our empathies are ragged.

Can we all please take one big breath and one long exhale? If there is anything we can do for any of the bad going on in the world, I’m betting we are already doing that. Because that’s who we are.

One minute of peace and calm here, please. Our bodies and our minds need it. We are all good people here, we want peace and justice, we work for it to the best of our ability but our limits are stretched.

We have to stay healthy to continue to fight for these things. Stress is a killer.

Breathe.

[gab13by13]

1. I have had plenty of stress in my life and I have dealt with it just fine,

one must accept problems and then they are easier to deal with, ignoring them or playing the victim doesn't work.
If people are stressed out in America talking about a sociopath trying to wipe out an entire country, just imagine what stress the people in Ukraine are under. I don't feel stress, I feel fucking sadness and I will continue to feel that way because it is a natural way to feel.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

4. +100. nt

[hamsterjill]

6. Well, good for you.

Stress has a way of sneaking up on us, though, in ways we don’t expect. Good for you for handling yours. Yes, stress is natural. But so are many other harmful things.

I must say, though, your post seems pretty angry to me. No one is suggesting ignoring anything. I merely suggested a minute of breathing and calm.

[inthewind21]

9. Amen

[Scrivener7]

11. WTF? If you don't feel stress, this thread is obviously not for you. No one is

not accepting problems. No one is playing the victim.

The OP was not setting up a stress contest with Ukrainians, so why are you? Why set up that ridiculous strawman?

And really? Your feelings are natural, but the feelings others have that you don't share are not?

Get a grip.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. Thank You!!!!

I myself don't worry about things out of my control, if it happens, it happens, end of story.

[Chainfire]

3. Stress is nature's way of giving you the ability to keep looking over your shoulder when you would

rather just go take a nap.

[Sunsky]

5. Thanks for this

I've been doing mindfulness activities this morning to help me cope.

[hamsterjill]

7. I'm learning to meditate.

I can only do short sessions, but I find that even five minutes helps. I’ve been trying to learn for a while and I do well for a period of time, and then I get distracted and don’t practice. I’m going to try to make it more of a priority and do it more regularly.

[Demsrule86]

12. Good for you...sorry that you are so stressed out. I first learned the benefits of

mediation during counseling after I was sexually assaulted. I was afraid to leave my house for almost a year. It certainly can help relieve stress. I also follow the old AA prayer. Give me the serenity to accept that which I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Much of what goes on now is beyond our control. I manage what I can and do not dwell on what I can't control.

[niyad]

8. Thank you for the reminder.

[hamsterjill]

10. Of course.

I needed to calm this morning. Ive been in tears over Ukraine off and on for the last week or more. I feel horrible about so much bad happening in the world. Many things all at once.

But taking a minute to disengage is not selfish and it is, in fact, necessary and healthy.

Peace and hugs.