Stress reduction

[cilla4progress]

Wanna share some stress reduction strategies in this charged moment?

I'm avoiding the daily horserace news - while keeping loosely in touch and shifting my perspective on what is "news."

I am focusing on the amazing world of the arts. One of the true purely good things humanity does.

I'm especially binge-watching the Kennedy Center Honors over past years. Pure celebration of talent and congeniality. Always been a sap for these things. AND it's extra special now because we got to see Hamilton there on a recent trip!

Other than that, cueing up some tunes and staying active.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Polls used to be useful, but now for multiple reasons they are useless. Smart move to skip horserace

[cilla4progress]

2. That's what I'm thinking

Makes me feel like a pinball or punching dummy!

[chowder66]

3. I've reduced my news consumption considerably.

I watch my local news for a bit and follow several cultural and art accounts (and cute animal accounts) on Twitter so I pop in there from time to time.

I've been listening to the audiobook of Dracula on youtube.com before bed and doing chores, working out and cooking after work.

Instead of having the news on in the background I put on one of the fireplace videos from youtube... though admittedly I fell asleep once during work (I work from home). Luckily it was during my lunch hour. : )

I've even reduced the amount of time I'm on DU. It's all been a little too stressful of late so I've pulled back which I do every year for a few months or longer.

[cilla4progress]

5. Awesome ideas,

chowder66.

Thanks so much, kindred spirit!

[chowder66]

7. I was happy to see your post!!

It's amazing how stressed I can get but I don't realize it until I cut back on news consumption.

If anything major happens, I'll get a pop up banner on my computer from my local news station.

I was thinking the other day about people who are portrayed as hearing voices (esp or whatever) in movies, etc. and how they say it isn't a gift because it's hard to shut off. Well... social media feels like that except I have the power to shut it off. Thank goodness!!

I really don't need to read every single thought and sometimes I do that here; reading every one's response (mostly to see if someone has already said what I was thinking so I don't need to post or just to see what people have to say. There are a ton of very smart and very thoughtful people here and I enjoy it 98% of the time but still, I have to take breaks.

[Sympthsical]

4. Limit news intake, do other things

ASMR chills me out. I'll zone out and play a game for a bit with that in my headphones.

I read news in the morning, then stop around, well, now. Go about my day. Maybe glance at night, but not much. All day every day is an addiction and unhealthy.

Evenings should be for relaxing and unwinding, not prime opportunity for upping cortisol levels. TV shows (Andor!), music, reading, hobbies.

I am going to be astoundingly busy this weekend and on Tuesday. One major exam Tuesday, one major presentation on Wednesday, and 14 homework assignments due in the Sun - Tues period. Top it with some work crazy, and I just won't have the time to be glued to the internet.

Small favors.

[cilla4progress]

6. Sounds good.

Yes, I have a trial on Friday, so am thankfully saved by my work, as well!

[H2O Man]

8. Recommended.

While I am not experiencing any stress, I think that for those who do, this is a valuable OP/discussion. I like to go for daily walks with my son's dog, and spent time each day with the outdoor creatures. I also like to listen to the Beatles while doing housework. I'm satisfied, for example, that I've done about as much campaign work as I reasonably could leading up to the elections. And after the elections, I recognize that -- no matter who wins -- there is going to be a lot more work needing to be done.