We all need to check in with our mental health right now

[Soph0571]

I am exhausted and stressed. Every day we battle same shit normal day, That is OK. But our same shit normal day is compounded to a ridiculous degree right now. You have Trump. We have Brexit and Trump. NOISE. RACKET. CHAOS. HATE. IDIOTS. DANGER.

ALL of this is a danger to all of us. How we react, the anger and stress we feel can make for emotional thinking and how we react to our circumstances. Rational thought and fact driven arguments is key. However, when they have ground us down with their nonsense, we need to check in. We are right. They are wrong. We cannot let the racket drown out our righteousness.

We need to make sure our mental armour is titanium. There is no other option. So check your mental health on this cause this shit is about to get REALLY serious.

[samnsara]

1. before retirement, I was a Mental Health Counselor.....

.. I'm keeping my passports to date. I'm in Washington State so travel to Canada is quick, but my 5 dogs may pose a problem. I'm just making sure ALL my options are up to date and valid and I'm keeping and eye on who moves to Canada.... If Obama relocates, then I'm right behind him.

Until then...tequila helps.

[PeeJ52]

8. I'm giving Canada a try in September...

If I like it and can hack the winter (I've lived the last 45 years in Florida), I'm staying, if they'll have me...

[cilla4progress]

29. They won't...

We checked. You can only live there for 6 months minus 1 day each year.


Mexico, however...! I have friends who moved there in retirement and love it.

[PeeJ52]

33. My wife was born in Canada and has American citizenship...

We're gonna try the 6 months, come back, settle things here, then go back and have her sponsor me for permanent residency.

[cilla4progress]

38. Niiiiice.....

👍👍👍👍

We had an Afghan exchange student who "self-deported" to Canada about 8 years ago. She is now a landed immigrant (I think that's what they call it.)

[nolabear]

15. Hey, same profession, same state, also retired.

This has been awful for patients and colleagues alike. But I’m grateful the states are as diverse as they are. We might be taking in refugees from some of them if things keep going as they are.

Do they let retired people in on visas in Canada? 😁

[bearsfootball516]

55. Doesn't Canada have pretty strict immigration policies?

[athena]

72. Yes. I'm always amused

that Americans, whose country’s immigration policies make it nearly impossible for Canadians to relocate to the U.S., think that they can just decide one day to move to Canada and will be welcomed with open arms.

[treestar]

78. I've always wondered about that

I figure maybe it comes from the draft resisters who went there? Canada must have permitted that. But it gave U.S. Americans the idea they can always just move to Canada. Also it is close and like the U.S. and so seems to us to be the best substitute. No one means it but often you hear people saying that if so and so wins the Presidency "I'm moving to Canada." For instance, Dad was going if Nixon got elected. Of course he did not. LOL.

[True Blue American]

2. You are not alone.

Every day you almost hold your breath wondering what will happen next.


I tried watching a long time Soap today and could not distinguish the Soap from reality.

Cliff hanger sure to show on Friday! On both.

[McKim]

89. Two Doctors in My Neighborhood are Immigrating

Two doctors in my neighborhood are immigrating to Canada with their children. I would get out if I could but my husband never wanted to move to Canada or Spain. I advised our daughter to leave and immigrate to Canada, hoping for an anchor baby! Old friends have immigrated there too. They got it after Bush II stole the election from Gore. They are so happy there! You have to have money for your health care, or a job and take as much French as you can, it counts.

[Ohiogal]

3. Does anyone else besides me

find that you are getting so anxious over current happenings, that you're getting really absent-minded and don't sleep well?

[samplegirl]

6. I've been there

for some time now. I am a news junkie which I should back away from. It’s hard not to follow the news. I had one friend tell me the other day that lots of people just don’t know what’s going on. I said that explains Trump! People who’s only news is talk radio!
I’m depressed most of the time!

[PeeJ52]

7. Yes...

I even had a dream the other night that Peggy Noonan was trying to seduce me... When you dream politics and sex, you know you've had too much...

[SallyHemmings]

11. So sorry

Spring is in the air. Tune out for a bit.

[Ligyron]

25. That's no dream, that's a nightmare.

So sorry.

[Bradshaw3]

39. Peggy Noonan? Ewww

More like a nightmare.

[BigmanPigman]

13. I was but it got 1 million times worse 12 days ago

when my very Dem dad and great guy suddenly died. I wish it were tRump. Life is not fair and I am feeling awful.

[Wheezy]

16. I'm sorry

about your dad. Life isn't fair. Hang in there.

[ancianita]

18. ... so sorry for your loss.

I hope time, good memories, and knowing you were loved, help you heal.

[Delphinus]

22. Ooh,

I'm sorry

[Bradshaw3]

40. Sorry for your loss but remember this

You father will be remembered as a great man and patriot while tRump may live but will be remembered forever as the opposite.

[BigmanPigman]

42. Thanks!

I wish he could "pull some strings" wherever he is but since we are atheists that isn't realistic. I am a Dem and have voted Dem in every election (and I mean every single one, local to national) due to him and my mom. I miss him so much already it hurts. He taught me that "Republicans are greedy hypocrites". He was smart and direct and never bought their BS.

[Bradshaw3]

44. It leaves a hole in us for sure

All I can say after losing my parents is that the hole is always there but gets smaller over time.

[True Blue American]

51. I am sorry

For your loss, bigman pigman. No matter what it is hard to lose them.

We understand the hurt.

[SlogginThroughIt]

45. Yes. It is getting really bad.

Taking melatonin nightly and still not sleeping well. I am preoccupied with the state of our nation to the point I am completely distracted.

So the only really to do is to pour myself into 2020. Really its the best thing I can do for myself and the country at this point.

[True Blue American]

52. Yes!

I had to remove myself from a long time board, turn off the TV but it is still there every day!

The stress is killing watching your Country go down the drain and not be able to stop it.

[Siwsan]

4. I'm taking a big mental stress break because my grand niece is coming to see me!!!

I will put the world on hold, and spend as much time as I can bonding with this lovely little 3 year old. She will be a breath of fresh air.

[TexasTowelie]

5. I found out that another one of my friends in his upper 40s lost his job as a software engineer.

My ex-roommate who is a sales associate lost his job a few weeks ago and he is 55. It's nearly impossible for people reaching 50 years of age to find a decent job even when they are productive employees. For anyone that is over 50 and offered an early retirement option, take it because employers will put a target on your back if you don't accept the offer.

As far as my mental health is concerned, I'm bipolar and subject to occasional manic episodes. The stress level is high with Trump and Republicans, but also in my personal life.

[Atticus]

9. Thank you for a valuable reminder. I believe your advice to stay grounded in

the basics (" we are right, they are wrong" ) is spot on. I'd add "we are in the majority" and, historically, "good triumphs over evil; love prevails over hate".

Again, thanks.

[Aristus]

10. I joined a gym and cut back on the amount I drink.

My clothes are fitting better. But I'm always tired, getting burned out at work, and losing hope that this political nightmare will ever end.

[Mr.Bill]

35. I have increased the amount I drink.

Works for me, but then I'm retired.

[Aristus]

48. I have some very expensive tailored items in my wardrobe.

They were getting a little tight. I cut back a little, no extra shots, one glass of wine less, one pint of beer less, and they're fitting better know.

When Trump is frogmarched out of our White House, I'm going to put on my best suit and pop the champagne I've had in the fridge since I don't know when...

[lunatica]

80. I was expecting you to say

you will put on your suit and pop the buttons drinking Champaign.

[Aristus]

81. It will be a time of celebration.

There's no reason I can't do both...

[lunatica]

85. LOL!

Only this time the hangover is preceding the drinking!

[Aristus]

86. Very well-put.

Worst hangover of my life...

[True Blue American]

54. I wish

I did drink!

[Mr.Bill]

64. Someone needs to write a book

on how to get started and do it right.

[SallyHemmings]

12. Latest Steve Berry novel

With a basketball or baseball game in the background.

I am down to one hour of news per day.

He will be voted out. I believe the Republican Party is shrinking. We out number the true believers.

[unc70]

14. Less cable news, more mystery books, lots of foreign travel

I'm lucky in lots of ways. Almost fully retired, adequate income, reasonably healthy, friends and family near the places I live. For the moment, I have cut way back on watching cable news; that will change when we see some of Muller's report. I have been binge reading detective mystery series (Leon, Tey, James, Moyes) and watch an occasional mystery on Acorn. And I have several long trips to Europe and several more to the Caribbean and to the coasts of the Carolinas. I also recommend going to local baseball games.

"Stay sane inside insanity."
-RHPS

[marble falls]

17. I'm still nuts.

[ancianita]

19. This shit's BEEN serious. It's now about to get ugly. Best of everthing to everyone from here on in.

I've got options if there's mayhem. Canada, family in New Mexico, Australia.

May we all come out of this happier than we've been.

[Grammy23]

20. I realized I had invested far too much energy following this tragic tale.

When Mueller’s investigation was declared finished and nothing happened, I felt like I had been had. I didn’t really know who to be angry with. But part of me was mad at myself for allowing myself to get so sucked into following every little crumb that fell. So instead of allowing the anger eat me up, I declared a moratorium on tv news. Other than the 10 p.m. local news, I kept the tv off. I checked in on DU in case tRump bought the farm or other happy news. My mood brightened the more I did not watch. I’ve allowed myself to watch MSNBC at night but often with the sound muted and only glancing now and then to see who is on and what they are discussing. I often go through the whole evening without seeing more than 5 minutes. LOL.

It has done a world of good for my mental health. I’m paying more attention to the plants in the yard. We trimmed some hydrangeas and shrubs in the front yard today. I took pictures of the amaryllis in the back yard. It made me happy to find that a big hydrangea in the backyard that I thought was dead is very much alive and putting on buds!!

My husband and I drove an hour west of us Tuesday to see Boz Scaggs in concert. Now that was a fun night. He rocked the house with his band and has not lost his touch or his voice at 75. I tapped my toes, bobbed and weaved in my chair and had so much fun. It was GREAT!

Finally, I asked my husband about doing a road trip soon. We have a big camper and a smaller popup camper. So we could pick one of those and hit the road. Not even sure where we’ll go....maybe some place close. Maybe not so close. But we’ll just go.

Your mental health is everything. (Well, physical health is important, too.) When you feel the life being sucked out of you by these trying days, you have to take care of yourself. Do whatever you can to pull yourself out of the vortex and get back to living. Stop and smell the roses. Trite but it is true. Do not let this situation defeat you. Find a way and just do it.

[lunatica]

83. I stopped watching the news too for the same reason you did

It has really helped my state of mind. I’ve done quite a bit of artwork which I’m pretty happy with and being a movie buff I have DirectvNow so there are hundreds of movies I can watch. Sometimes I watch dystopian movies which makes me realize things really could be so much worse! I’m a 70 year old die hard fan of The Walking Dead so that also helps as far as how bad things could be.

Doing art is the most important thing for me so if things go to hell I will always be able to do art. My life is very simple.

My philosophy is that worrying about things I can’t do anything about is useless and a waste of time. The only power I have is over myself.

[Grammy23]

92. One of the things that has suffered most during my addiction to the news --

Was my artsy-crafty things I do. I started doing collage probably 25-30 years ago. I never thought of myself as artistic at all. My younger sister was the “artist”, had art lessons and all that. I was better with words. So rather late in my life (early 40s) I found out I do have a way with putting together random bits and pieces and making a pleasing composition. I really liked it and found it relaxing and FUN!

I’ve done other crafty things but the paper arts struck my fancy and I have a room full of tools, paper, glue, collage stuff, etc. Being so enmeshed in the horror of the last two and a half years took away my desire to find comfort in art. Now that I’ve reduced my exposure to the news, the urge to get back to the artsy things I like is returning.

This afternoon I pulled out materials to work on a travel wall in our house. I have thousands of photographs so picking just a few to represent the trips is hard but that is my task. I am covering the letters G and O in map paper and will make a montage of photos on a wall in our family room. In the past I’d have watched hours of the MSNBC programming, getting more depressed and sad. But not any more. I’m back to living and trying not to ever let that happen again.

Hope you find good things to do in your world. I think we’re probably close to the same age....I was 70 last November so we’ve experienced a lot of the same history.

[lunatica]

93. I'll be 71 in August and retrired

I definitely deserve to do things I want to do!

[ehrnst]

21. They want us to break down. That way we start blaming our Democratic leaders for our

anxiety, and not "doing anything about this!!!"

Stephen Miller especially likes to provoke.

[catbyte]

23. That's why I post so many animal videos & stories in the Lounge. It relieves stress.

[FM123]

28. and that is why I watch so many of your videos catbyte (it helps)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

30. The Lounge is like a vacation.

It's uplifting to go in there.

[yonder]

36. And many thanks for those, cb, and everybody else who contributes those also.

Funny thing is, I've been meaning to PM you to thank you for those. I used to mostly ignore those kind of posts but find myself paying more and more attention because of the worsening political climate. I enjoy them not only for their diversionary value, but the inspirational value too. There are good things/people/animals that happen as a result of difficult/bad situations and those posts help draw our collective energies out of the muck and focused on a more positive plane.

So thanks for this "check in" thread Soph0571, and to everyone else who provide these beams of hopefulness.

[Bradshaw3]

41. I appreciate and enjoy your animal posts

Thank you.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

63. Thank you for those catbyte...

They do feel good.

[Honeycombe8]

24. It's getting me very stressed & depressed.

Reading that an O&G man is going to be over our Interior Dept. is almost too much for me.

I have other things going on in my life that are very stressful. I am letting off the Trump business somewhat. I don't watch him on tv or read about his latest statements, unless it seems game changing.

[Kurt V.]

26. this is pretty excellent advice. kick

[Throck]

27. Hang tough

I refuse to let the bastards get me down.

[cilla4progress]

31. This is a great thread and perfectly timed for me.

Just turned 64 and learned that along with my high BP (controlled with medication) and developing high cholesterol I'm also pre-diabetic!

I'm active, good weight. This is such depressing news. Husband and I have been proud and grateful for our good health for so long.

I'm hoping to control with better diet (which I thought was good, but apparently not enough). The idea of medication terrifies me.

Also, I know a big factor is STRESS!

I too have some bad habits around following the news too closely. I just picked up a couple good books and I think I'll migrate to more reading for the duration.

Like some have said above, it felt like it was crescendoing with the Mueller report, but I've lost faith and expect we are stuck for the foreseeable future.

[True Blue American]

56. Most of us do.

My exercise in the Y Pool 3 days a week helps for a while, then it comes right back.

I get nauseated when that 4 way combover fat blob comes on my screen with more lies. I reach for the remote.

Thank goodness it is spring so I can work.

[MontanaMama]

32. I am watching almost no cable "news".

I listen to Rachel’s podcast in the morning when I’m getting ready for work but only sometimes. It has helped my spirits immensely to unplug from the both sides do it talking heads. I realize it is denial but dammit, I vow to survive this and I’ve got to do something to save myself.

While I admit I’m not drinking any less wine 🙄, I have amped up the exercise. Now that the snow is melting in the hills around here, I leash up the dog and head for the trails. I come home in good spirits and as bad as things are, I feel better from the fresh air. It’s not helping my sleep however. I don’t think I’ve slept 8 hours since the motherfucker was elected.

I work on self care constantly because I’m the only one who can do that and I know plenty of MAGATs who would be happy to see me tip over. Fuck that. I’m not going anywhere.

[cilla4progress]

43. I have a trick for falling back to sleep that I've read others use.

My particular twist is kind of effed up, but you can tweak it: I stick one earbud in and fall asleep to podcasts! Now, I do it to the PM MSNBC talking heads, which is counterintuitive (doesn't sound relaxing, right?). But it has to be something you won't mind falling asleep to and missing parts of. One guy I heard say there is a podcast of like British medieval history he does this with .

Works every time for me. All those wee morning pee breaks...you know what I'm talking about. I fall right back to sleep within minutes!

[MontanaMama]

46. Oh I totally get what you're saying.

Voices can lull me into state of unconsciousness. There’s a guy that narrates the Zeitgeist movies...Peter Jospeh...his voice is audible Xanax for me. I need to give your suggestion a try when I wake up at 4am to pee. That’s usually when my brain starts to organize everything in the world and there’s no getting back to sleep.

[cilla4progress]

49. Haha!

How do I find the guy you are talking about? Wonder if he has a podcast? 😅👍

Rain here tonight. I'll just fall asleep to that!

[MontanaMama]

50. All the zeitgeist stuff I've found is

on YouTube. There are lots of interviews with Peter Joseph in addition to those. The subject matter is a little out there but interesting enough to hook me and then the tenor of his voice sends me to la la land. Never thought that he might have a podcast...I’ll look that up this morning.

[True Blue American]

57. I read.

[cilla4progress]

65. You are so right!

But the light is hard on my husband. I used to use a headlamp for years! 😂

[True Blue American]

66. You can get those

Little LED lamps now. Shine right on your book. i am not a Kindle Fan. My Library can get me any book in a couple of days.

[cilla4progress]

90. I hear you about Kindle.

Got to where I hated the interface. ENOUGH with the screens, amirite?

I do recognize that sometimes i reach for my device because of the superior lighting.

On weekends, or NEXT YEAR AFTER RETIREMENT, I'll be more able to use a lamp like you describe. 😅

[True Blue American]

91. Ooh, suggestion!

One woman had her electric go off so she used her kindle light to read her book!

[Bettie]

34. Not good

I have a boy graduating high school in May and another next year. Worried about their futures.

Oh, and about that orange thing somehow being reinstalled come next November through corruption.

I hate feeling entirely helpless, unable to do much of anything but call my congressional delegation every day.

[IADEMO2004]

37. Mental health day yesterday went to Omaha Zoo. Barr "spy" alert from NYTphone off.

Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium membership is non-prescription medicine

[Fla_Democrat]

47. I'm good, but thanks.

[vlyons]

53. no kidding

I am so stressed out, right now. I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, and lumpectomy surgery is scheduled later this month. My truck was stolen and trashed and stripped of parts, and is in the fix-it shop. I'm driving a rental. Plus I just bought a house and have to move. I've been in telephone menu hold Hell nearly everyday. The news is all about ugly, deceit, stupidity, and creeping Fascism. So I limit the news. I can control that. Listening to my classical FM station WRR 101 helps.

[Soph0571]

58. All thoughts you way

Just horrid.

[True Blue American]

67. Oh, God

Best thoughts are going your way. I do know breast cancer treatments have improved so much lately. Several friends came through and are doing good.

Take care and keep us informed.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

59. All cuz of a few thousand votes short in a few wrong places...we can't take this next election

for granted!! We must put out the tRumpster Fire!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[True Blue American]

68. Amen on that!

[Maxheader]

60. Buck up me liberal buddies!!

Its mental harassment the wingers are up to now, they like our confusion...But we have them
stopped and starting to back up. I like the minor infighting going on in
congress..between some democrats. Shows they've spirit and a willingness to fight the wingers.
F*^k the minority..they never
shift from conservative bs...Stumpy is trying hard to make it look
like it is getting what it wants..And I keep reading that a psychiatric
evaluation is needed..Its gotta say somewhere in the constitution
mental illness is a condition for removal.

[True Blue American]

69. Did you hear Scarborough

Call Nunes a dumbass this morning? I went to the Y laughing.

[Maxheader]

74. So many winger dumbasses...

Wonder how the govt ever gets anything done...oh wait...

But Scarborough did not hold back in his criticism of the Californian Republican. He said: “Again, I don’t know about Devin Nunes, all right? Anybody who has ever met…judges who are on the FISA court know these are the best and the brightest, they’re also pretty tough men and women.

“They take their jobs extraordinarily seriously and dumbasses like that, that are accusing FISA judges of being part of a conspiracy, a political conspiracy, should be ashamed of themselves.

“They’re a disgrace to this country. And this is once again, and Donald Trump’s done it all along, this is once again an attack on the federal judiciary. It’s that simple," Scarborough said on Friday’s show.

[True Blue American]

75. Pundits were all over

This morning. Then we had the real experts like David Cay Johnson. That man is a real genius!

[Amishman]

61. I am the zen master

I have come to peace with our utterly fucked up world and my limited ability to impact it.

I enjoy the little things and focus on family

I do what I can to push things in the right direction, but try not to have any expectations or emotional investment in the outcome.

I am preparing for the worst just in case, though I don't actually expect things to go badly enough to need it.

I accept my limitations and refuse to be upset by things outside my control.

[True Blue American]

70. My kids told me to turn off cable news and stay away.:)

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

62. So true for many...

and it’s totally relatable fo me. I have seen myself when my anger is released, I don’t much like that person. It’s imperative that I regulate the release of anger so meditation is ongoing daily. I’m retired so it’s easier than when I was working.
Some rules I need to follow...absolutely no television news, ambient music while driving and at home, regular exercise daily, absolutely no alcohol but copious amounts of excellent cannabis, primal screaming once daily go someplace no one can hear you and let rip a scream but not of fear one of release.
Then come to accept in my head that all things are impermanent, everything. Then acknowledge that I do have the power to try to change things that are here, no matter how small you think the action is believe it may change things for the better. Keep planting seeds of truth, be patient.

[G_j]

71. To be hopeful in bad times..

In his 2002 autobiography You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train, Howard Zinn wrote:

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places–and there are so many–where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

There was nothing naive or sentimental about Zinn’s positions. He had seen firsthand the worst that humanity was capable of, and simply chose to confront it as a challenge rather than accept it as our final destiny.

[redstatebluegirl]

73. I have been limiting my news consumption for the past few weeks and I feel better.

My BP and sleeping were both horrible. After limiting my time here on DU and watching MSNBC and CNN I find I am sleeping better. I am also starting to plant my garden so I am spending more time outside which also helps.

[TrogL]

76. I'm on meds. I'm comfortably numb.

[Saviolo]

77. Also important to remember that despite those doubts you may have: They are not right!

This fellow here did a VERY LONG Twitter thread about it. He used to be a big alt-right supporter, and then smartened up and made a full 180, and now fights against alt-right messaging.

I won't copy paste the whole thread, but I recommend you read it, it helps to remember that they're -NOT RIGHT- despite the myriad media trying to convince us that "Huh, maybe they have a point."

Link to tweet

[Karadeniz]

79. Thank you for posting Vex's thread. I read it all and it's lovely that he's reaching out to the youn

Everything he says should be part of a high school class. ❤

[Saviolo]

82. Also worth watching:

[Karadeniz]

87. Thanks! I'll watch after I finish ploughing my way through DU. There are a few former

Alts trying to get the message out that alts are barking up a misguided tree, bless 'em!

[maxsolomon]

84. Too late.

My mental armor is gone.

I'm pissed off and angry all the time. I want to shake people, especially people who think Impeachment is pointless.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

88. Rage toxic to rager & doesnt hurt target. Cold calculating loathing much more effective & healthier.