The past 18 months haven’t been easy. Even if I didn’t work for a media company, it would be hard to avoid all the frightening, pandemic-related news out there and remain hopeful. My optimism has been eroded away by the daily onslaught of news and disinformation being circulated on the inter-webs. This has caused my anxiety to hit the roof, leaving me to feel as if I’m in a constant state of fight or flight.
For the sake of my mental health, I’ve needed to take a step back from reading the news (save for headlines) and conversations focusing on the direness of the situation. I’m not saying that I want to be in a wilful state of ignorance, but rather, I just need to recover from all the insanity, fear mongering and panic fatigue.
Without a mental recharge, I feel like I’m at the end of my rapidly fraying rope. I’m easily triggered and empathy for myself and others have been at an all-time low. I feel all the things. And sometimes, it’s all too much.
So I’m re-booting. Doing what I need to do to give myself space and quiet. I need to focus on what I can control, like my attitude and actions. I know that I have to get better at staying connected with my friends and family, while minimizing or straight up avoiding people who ramp up my anxiety. I have to practice positive self-talk, and not dwell on the negative. (No more ‘what if’ statements which are hella anxiety provoking).
And when I’ve done that, I can then give the people around me what they need. It’s not going to happen overnight though because I’m still a work in progress.
My current self-care includes binge-watching things that make me laugh or happy cry. My favourite show right now is the restore your faith in humanity Ted Lasso. On the enjoyable scale of one to ten, it’s an eleven.
Other shows I’m watching include The Goldbergs, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The first show hitting me hard with the 80s nostalgia, while the second show tickles my twisted funny bone.
How ironic that earlier in the pandemic, I found myself watching all the scary movies that I missed out on in the last decade, because I felt that what was happening in real life was more a horror show than any of the movies I’d watch. But now with how I’m feeling, not so much.
Other things in my mental health toolbox include MyMeditation app, yoga, dance cardio, beach reads, and soft news of the entertainment and celebrity kind.
And lots and lots of cuddle time with our furry faces.
Some pictures :
What do you do to cope with what’s going on in the world? What’s supporting your personal well-being? Please feel free to share. In times of stress and anxiety, more tools in the tool box is always a good thing.
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