I have felt increasingly anxious the past few weeks.

[redstatebluegirl]

I am having trouble sleeping, and just have this horrible sense of foreboding. Today it manifested itself in my going to the grocery store to buy a 1/2 gallon of ice cream. I always eat when I'm troubled. I am grateful I have something to eat, unlike those in Ukraine.

Today I am going to take some time away from the news, and all of the horrific pictures. Seeing little ones, in their coats with their stuffed animals fleeing this monster is more than my spirit can handle right now.

[hlthe2b]

1. Yes... I think keeping informed does not need to mean 24/7 immersion.

It is overwhelming.

[highplainsdem]

2. Sympathies. Would listening to music help?

It's how I've been coping.

[redstatebluegirl]

4. I have some soft jazz on this morning, yes I think it helps.

[Mr.Bill]

47. Side two of Abbey Road

has gotten ne through tough times so many times I have lost count.

[roamer65]

48. Relax stream at yourclassical.org

It’s been a god send right now.

[dameatball]

3. I think this means you are normal. We are lucky we can still take a break from things. Hard to

imagine what some are going through in this world right now.

[lagomorph777]

5. Yes, if you're not anxious, there's something wrong with you.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. I'm not anxious and there's nothing wrong with me at all,

my military experience has resigned me to the fact that I will die, rather naturally or otherwise, I live my life on a day to day basis and go about driving my truck.

[WA-03 Democrat]

28. One day at a time

is the only way for me. Each day is a gift and there will never be another one exactly like it. We will all die and having good memories and enjoying your time here is my goal. I try to do good but sometimes I fail. Oh well!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

31. +100. nt

[Quakerfriend]

9. This. And, do try to take breaks from the 24/7 news.

I have found myself dreaming about being in this war.

To counter the anxiety I envision those living in the struggle being brought hot soup, tea, bread etc.

I also remind myself how grateful I am for everything- quiet, peaceful skies, a warm bed, and a hot meal.

[pwb]

6. Watching, is what the Cable news war mongers wanted and got.

I don't watch it. Much of it is staged IMO. Netflix and Youtube are my friend.

[BComplex]

35. The Cable news is what got trump elected to begin with. 24/7 that's all we heard

for a year before the election.

[samplegirl]

7. I think all of us have been traumatized

Between Trump, Covid, and now this. We have all been in a nonstop doom for way to long.

[redstatebluegirl]

8. Yes, it just feels like it never stops.

Plus my extended family has some issues going on that I can't seem to get away from. Yuck. I feel guilty complaining, we could all be in Ukraine.

[wnylib]

22. It is normal to be anxious, and

healthy to find diversion when you need it. Even the Ukranians find diversions, when they are able to, in order to cope, like the child singing in the shelter. The ones searching for food and the people being shot at as they try to leave are the most disturbing to me. But having an emotional breakdown thousands of miles away from them is not going to help them, so backing away from it for a while is a healthy thing to do.

Feeling helpless while watching makes it worse, so if you can donate something to Ukraine, you can feel less helpless by helping in whatever way you can. Or, if you can't donate or already have, doing something locally to make the world a better place is another action that can make you feel less helpless about the evil in the world.

For diversion, music and a book help me. Or, watching a movie to get absorbed for a while in another reality helps. You can choose the movie that you need emotionally. Or, getting involved in a home or community project that is physically active can wear off some anxiety.

[NewHendoLib]

10. anyone who is not traumatized by this ....no words.

[Walleye]

11. I think we can all identify with these families just trying to survive having their good normal life

Upended by an evil man. I can only look at the footage a few minutes at a time. I can’t bring myself to plan anything more than a day or two ahead. And sleeping is even more difficult. This coming after all the isolation and stress of the pandemic which started for me with breast cancer treatments. I sometimes say human beings are expected to endure much more than they’re designed for

[John Ludi]

12. My anxiety level

has rarely been higher. I'm finally poking my head out of my two-year burrow to do some job hunting and that only adds to the stress. Part of me just wants to clear out my bank accounts, sell my property, and go lie on a beach somewhere until the bombs drop. Sooooo done with just about everything.

[LT Barclay]

13. I watch videos of whales. It helps to know that no matter what is going on in my world,

Somewhere out there whales are still living and playing.

[RKP5637]

15. My frustration in all of this is these events rolling out more and more. Somehow, he needs to

be stopped asap. No, I do not know how, but I do not think this is going away unless he is overtly/directly stopped. ... and he will continue on into small non-NATO countries. He plans to recreate the USSR with him as czar.

[nuxvomica]

16. Any act of kindness or generosity, not matter how small, may help

I have found that in these situations the need to act must be satisfied but it need not apply to the cause of the anxiety, and donating to causes, while necessary, my not be sufficient to address the anxiety. I would do something nice for someone, especially someone who may not expect it, or even deserve it.

[wendyb-NC]

17. I agree

The insanity of war, especially this one, 90% of the day or more, is too much. Take care of yourself, go out in your yard and listen to the birds, get a dose of nature. Listen to music, read, cook, take a nap, do anything that gives you peace and lets your compassionate heart and spirit get away from the dark, surreal situation in Ukraine.

[CanonRay]

18. Everybody I know is anxious

Between Covid and now Ukraine, how could one not be anzxious?

[bigtree]

19. anxiety's like that, almost never bearing out into anything real

...most times it's just anxiety.

I think most people would be surprised at the power of just reminding ourselves that it's likely just our mind pushing past the present reality. It can ease some of the stress. Not easy, I know, but well worth the approach of acknowledging that our anxiety is just that, and most often unassociated with anything actually happening.

Of course, dangers we fear can be real, but being anxious doesn't really prepare us in a way that helps us cope with life events, it just aggravates their impact on us, and often leaves us unsettled and unprepared. Quite a useless emotion, I think.

I've insisted (to myself) that my bedroom is a 'no despair, no anxiety' zone, only for sleeping, and occasional cuddling, and I'm firm on that.

Link to tweet

[flying_wahini]

20. Yes; you may need detoxing from the daily onslaught of 24 hr news cycle.

Every couple of weeks I Do a no news for a couple of days. Helps a lot.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

21. Having empathy, as you do, can hurt. Very doable to have empathy and be strong at the same time. .nt

[BobTheSubgenius]

23. I don't blame you one iota.

It feels like *things* are spinning out of control.

Also, I LOVE ice cream. Unfortunately.

[czarjak]

24. Bombing nuclear facilities gets to me.

[Fla Dem]

25. I believe you are part of a very large community who feel the same way.

I have stopped watching cable news for just the reasons you mention. The children, families, lives horribly ruined and no obvious solution in sight has left me saddened, worried, concerned, anxious for the future of not only Ukraine, but possibly the world. To have a madman who cannot see the suffering he is causing, or sees but doesn't care, all to feed his own ego and delusional beliefs he is the messiah of the old Russian empire, makes me believe he will do anything to fulfill his glorious mission, even if that means using nuclear weapons.

I do check periodically to see if there have been any major developments. But cannot watch or read endless updates, suppositions and predictions.

[Hortensis]

26. Good. It's spring planting and garden strolling time.

Last edited Thu Mar 10, 2022, 01:56 PM - Edit history (1)

As good for one's mental health as social media can be bad.

Last summer I began a quest for the old-fashioned four o'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) of my childhood, with that lovely, wafting fragrance. So far I've found one, a white that's still small, and now it's time to plant a couple dozen little tubers ordered from two sellers who claim fragrance. Uh-huh. That's why it's a quest. But no matter, it'll be fun to keep some favorite colors for the summer and give away a bunch of extras, tuck a few in a weedy alley or empty parking lot.

Makes me happy to look forward to it. Nice things are real too.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

46. Growing up we

Had four o'clocks growing next to our porch. The scent was just wonderful. Miss that scent ,and I miss the scent of lilacs covering the entire yard in may.

[democratsruletheday]

27. Just KNOW you aren't alone....

I deal with manic depression almost daily and finally at age 52 broke down and obtained serious medication. It's helped a lot but isn't a cure all either. Don't isolate yourself would be my biggest piece of advice. Seek out friends, family and like you said: filter some of the news out when you can as it's just too much at times. Stay strong redstatebluegirl, I'll say a prayer for you.

[Bettie]

29. Same here

I think I'm going to play some video games.

A world where the good guys win sounds pretty good right now, because it isn't looking like that will ever happen in our current world.

[Nictuku]

30. I had a Dr. Pepper for Breakfast

I don't drink sodas, as a rule. But every now and then I have a craving for a Dr. Pepper, even though I know it is loaded with sugar. I get those little mini-cans and keep some in the garage for such moments. This morning was one.

I filled up the cup of ice and poured it in, and enjoyed every little sip of it! I do feel a little better. It only lasts about 5 minutes. I had to turn off the news.

War is a racket
War is Hell
I hate War

[dlk]

32. The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone that exacerbates everything else

I find meditation helps and use two different apps: Calm and Headspace. Along with meditations, they offer music and guidance on a variety of issues. John Legend has music and meditations I enjoy on Headspace. There are free trials you could check out to see if they might work for you.

[redstatebluegirl]

37. Thanks I will give it a try.

[AlexSFCA]

33. I feel the same way and plan on taking a week off news

this reminded me the first few weeks of trump admin when I was so depressed that I had to take a whole month off the news and it did help a lot.

[Evolve Dammit]

34. It means you have a brain, a heart, and empathy. Traits of a good human being. And I agree.

[Farmer-Rick]

36. During the last presidential election

After my daughter and I voted for Biden, we stopped watching the news for a week. We just could no longer take the ups and downs as the counts came in, the media spin and the blowhard Trump speeches.

A week after election day, we came back to the news with Biden as our confirmed, newly elected president. It was such a seemingly smooth and successful election for us.

Yeah, we still got some Trump stupidity but it was clear Biden was our next president no matter what tantrums TFG throws.

It was easy and comfortable for us but not so much for those watching the results daily.

Stepping away from the news for a week can give you perspective.

[redstatebluegirl]

38. That is clearly what I need to do.

[Warpy]

39. You have company

because anyone with a brain is unsettled by this mess, we all know how fast it could spin out of control if Putin gets desperate enough.

He's already discovering he's not infallible. If he discovers he's not immortal, he could be capable of anything. Yes, I'm scared, too.

Breaks are good. I've taken a break from televised news since 2004, being treated like a half wit and being lied to by omission were infuriating. I can only take a few minutes of that shit at a time, so I don't bother unless it's something l;ike live TV of the Japan tsunami in 2011.

[LittleGirl]

40. You must walk away

And go outside. For a walk. If the sun is out, sit in the sun for 15 minutes.
Absolutely limit your time catching up on the news.

Take a shower everyday.
Change clothes.
Clean a drawer.

Get quiet. Get still.

[Pepsidog]

41. When Dems control everything I tend not to watch or read about politics. I think that maybe a

problem. Complacency kills hopes.

[barbtries]

42. I'm dead in the water.

need to work, don't want to. it's a hard time. I found this blog post by John Pavlovitz a much needed comfort.
you are not alone redstatebluegirl!


https://johnpavlovitz.com/2022/03/07/you-should-be-weary-right-now/

[redstatebluegirl]

44. This is wonderful thank you!

[hunter]

43. I turned off the television news and opinion shortly after 9/11/2001.

I never did turn it back on again, but unlike 9/11 I trust President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are competent to handle this. I knew Bush and Cheney would make everything much worse and they did.

Personally there's little I can do to stop Putin's insane war. My family and I all protested the war in Iraq. I've got nothing to protest about our nation's response to Putin.

I had a friend in South Africa who got caught up in a riot after Chris Hani was assassinated, and I knew people who were in Kosovo when that war started. I just dread that feeling of not being able to do anything about it.

I had a similar feeling watching the news after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. My wife's brother and sister both lived in the area and were frequent commuters on the Nimitz freeway and across the Bay Bridge. We didn't hear they were safe for many hours, the phones were all down. We simply had to turn the television off after seeing too many images like this:

[I_UndergroundPanther]

45. My ptsd

Is being triggered like hell. Part of me feels safer when I watch the news,so if things change I know and can prepare or offer help.
Not knowing what is going on makes me more anxious.

I try to cope via art projects. I dont have a social support network.
I'm on my own pretty much and this just increases my vilagence.

Was having dreams of war,like my apartment building being hit by an airplane before the war in Ukraine started. I just blew it off as a nightmare.
Now I am not so sure.

Depression is creeping in and sticking to my routine is harder.