Anne in CA Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 So, today is my day off. I started the day by looking at art on the internet, checking WTM/ Facebook. I was doing good. Then I started reading a book about the Taliban on my Kindle. Bad idea. I started to get upset, worried about people I don't even know across the world, worried about our business, my kids, money. I redirected myself by remembering some healthy Bible verses, reading Pam Grout, doing a chore I had been dreading and exercising. Now I am better, lol. So, what do you do when you need to stop worrying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeteranMom Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I remind myself that worry is my attempt to control something that I can't control. It's totally ineffective. I've found myself unplugging from a lot of things- talk radio, cable news, etc. Small amounts of information are okay, but letting it take too much of my time leads to a feeling of helplessness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I try to focus on the thought that worrying won't change what will happen in the future, but it will rob me of my joy in the present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Something really similar happened to me the other day. My dh left the newspaper on the kitchen table and I opened it up and there were murders, mayhem, stupid political issues and the like. I could feel my heart rate increase and the stress just build. I know that it's good to keep up on current events and such, but the topics and methods they are presented in certain newspaper are very annoying and often intentionally provoking a negative response. So the best thing for me is to avoid the daily paper and just read the weekly local news, and try to prevent that kind of stress. I get outdoors daily for a short walk with the dog or just around the neighbourhood or yard. If my muscles feel tense, I spend time doing some stretching and a few yoga positions with deep breathing. I exercise regularly with activities I love to do. I play music and sing for pleasure and stress relief. I listen to relaxing music. I spend time with dh and the dc doing fun activities. I have a relaxing bath. I avoid watching lousy TV and movies, and spend time watching only programs I enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I do wonder how anyone could keep up with the news and not get distressed. My grand parents read the newspaper cover to cover every day, sometimes two or three newspapers if you count the tiny local ones that came on Tues/ Thurs or Friday, and they were balanced, upbeat people. I wish I could ask them their secret to being informed and being happy, but they are not here. Some of the threads on the board cause me anxiety if I think about them too much. Trevon Martin upset me for a long time, and anyone who dismissed his death as a mere accident got a real earful from me. The Trevon Martin thread upset me, lol. But I can't just be ignorant of everything distressing. I am doing much better about redirecting my thoughts, and am interested in how other people manage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Music! It really helps to have an awesome, uplifting playlist to resort to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Centering prayer (Learned when I was a Christian, but adaptable) Lectio Divina (Christian) Meditation Gratitude work - journal, go through the alphabet thinking of something for each letter that I am grateful for, a list, post on FB something positive Decide in advance something that I will redirect to: scripture, phrase, prayer Exercise Laugh Hold a baby Reach out to someone with a thank you Consider if I have "forgiveness" or "resentment" work to do so that I can access better and more positive life skills Help others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Zoloft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Holding a baby is awesome! I got to hold my little niece last week and it did wonders for me. The reminder about forgiveness is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I go to MacDonalds for a vanilla latte and have it there, all by myself. (MacDonalds is the consolation prize because we don't have Starbucks / Costa Coffee / Second Cup). I play Bach's Goldberg Variations performed by Glen Gould, preferably while I am cleaning the house. I don't know classical music well enough to know if other recordings of it would work as well! I tidy and clean this house (only good for major upsets as it takes 2-3 hours to do it properly). My worst worries are things I can / will have to do something about, but don't know what action to take, or whether to take any at all - change the kids school - or not, go back to work - or not, impossible to predict but necessary changes when dh's contract ends in November, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Zoloft. Right on. B) Sometimes, I meditate and use a mantra or just breathing. Sometimes, I go for a walk, garden, or pet the cats. Sometimes, I stew in my troubles for way too long. Nobody's perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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