Action is the Antidote to Anxiety
I saw a meme the other day that was 20 things you wish you had heard before, and the first item was this: “Action is the Antidote to Anxiety”. This is definitely true for me, and I think it’s a lot more helpful for my mental health to write postcards, attend rallies and demonstrations, exercise, and listen to music, than it is to doom scroll or listen to the news all day. So that’s what I’ve been doing. I wrote a lot (for me, I know some do more) of postcards to voters this week, for elections in Florida and Wisconsin.
There were 2 protests this week in my town, one on Friday and one on Saturday…Because I have Fridays off from work, I was able to go to both. Friday’s was a march in support of Veterans, protesting the cutbacks to the Veterans’ Administration. There were almost 100 people, which is pretty good for a work day without much notice. I talked to a woman who says she will go to any protest that is within a 1 hour walk (each way) from her house, because she doesn’t drive anymore. Wow.
Saturday’s gathering was the #teslatakedown, and this week there were maybe 750 people. It was GREAT. I thought there would be fewer people because last week’s protest was International Women’s Day, but the momentum is growing. I find it so heartening to be surrounded by other people who feel the same way I do and who are out there speaking up. I was also heartened to read about the protest at Trump Tower demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil.
One thing about protesting in a blue county in a blue state is that it is a very positive experience. I am surrounded by like minded people, and the people driving by are mostly supportive. We get the occasional jerk or person flipping us off, but mostly it’s fun and just feels really good to be out there showing people that we are really unhappy with what is going on. That is part of why I find it such a positive experience. The history of protests as free speech is clearly not always this way. People often put themselves in danger to express themselves. That is not my situation.
Generally I listen to NPR during my weekday. I don’t listen closely, because I’m working, but I like to have some idea of what is going on in the world. When I’m not listening to that, I listen to playlists. Not curated, I just say, “Alexa (yes, we have Alexa, bah!) play some Sade” or something like that. Yacht rock. Smooth jazz. Sometimes the Cure or Blondie, sometimes current pop songs, but generally I want it to be mellow so I can concentrate. But you know what? I end up hearing the same songs over and over again, so lately I’ve been listening to a Seattle radio station that is new to the Bay Area, KEXP. Ted was listening to it one day and left it on when he left for work, and I found it fun and relaxing. The music is great, really varied and you never know what you’re going to hear next. The DJs are fun as well, and I love the station motto: You Are Not Alone. It’s public radio, funded by listeners from around US (and Canada!), and I even enjoyed listening to their Spring Drive to raise money. Anyway, I was super happy to hear a (very not mellow) song I LOVE from the mid 90s, Seether by 90s alt rock group, Veruca Salt. SO GOOD.
Exercise is of course another antidote to anxiety (another form of action), and I’m finding my daily routine of 20 minutes of weights + 20-30 minutes of yoga + 45-60 minutes of walking to be really helpful. The other day I went out for my walk wearing my glasses rather than my contact lenses, and it was kind of misty drippy, not raining enough for my umbrella, but enough that my glasses were getting wet and I couldn’t see well. Instead of wiping them off and putting my umbrella up, I just took off my glasses and walked with the cool mist on my face. It was so peaceful, and it’s a beautiful time of year here, with trees in bloom and everything green and as lush as it gets in this part of the world (aka, not very. The weeds along the walking trails are green, and the leaves are coming out on the trees.) It felt lovely. And boy, my eyesight is crummy. Across the street from me, there was a shape kind of moving around, and I thought, ‘oh, did someone’s dog get out?’ I put on my glasses so I could see if there was a person with the dog (or dogs) and nope, it was a small flock of turkeys. That made me laugh.
Of course, distractions are also helpful. Enjoying White Lotus on TV, and listening to books (I’m behind on my book reviews…)
Last bit of good news: The 10 year old cat at the rescue where I’ve been volunteering, Ainsling, was adopted on Friday! Yay! A new cat arrived yesterday, but I won’t meet him until Friday (unless he’s adopted before then).
How are you dealing with stress these days? Remember, you are not alone.
13 Comments
Lisa’s Yarns
I haven’t gone to a protest but would like to at some point. It is tricky at my stage of life with young kids as I wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing them. But I would like to get to one at some point! I am trying to limit my news consumption/time on the NYT website so I don’t get too overwhelmed. I mostly rely on a few podcasts to stay updated. I love that Lying King sign from the protest!!!
I have been thinking of you this week as I am reading The Bee Sting! I am about half way through. I am enjoying it but will be glad to be done with the section without punctuation as it makes it harder to read/process. I don’t understand that choice!!
J
I don’t see many kids at the protests so far, but then again I don’t see many people of your age either. I’m almost 60 and I’m on the young side, it’s mostly elderly folks. We brought Maya to a protest against the invasion of Iraq when she was a kid…she must have been about 7. She was fine and had no problem staying close to us and so on. There were three adults and one kid, so our ratio was good too. So maybe in a few years if they’re confortable going.
Regarding the Bee Sting, I listened to it, so I didn’t have any issue with the punctuation. 😉 I’m glad you’re enjoying it regardless!
nance
I’m so glad that the protestors are out in force. I continue to set aside time each morning to write Congress, sign petitions, make phone calls, and write to my state government as well. Ohio has a governor’s race coming up, and the republican party is running Vivek Ramaswamy. UGH. Once again, Ohio’s Democratic Party is failing us; we have no strong candidate. I keep hoping Sherrod Brown will jump in the race. That would make me so happy.
Great news about Ainsling! Her forever home will be pleased with her, I know.
J
Thank you Nance, knowing that you and others are out there doing the work does help keep me motivated! I always wonder how much I should be calling/writing since my reps are all Democrats and so far agree with what I’m doing. I think I need to keep up the pressure anyway.
I’ll admit I was worried about Ainsling, as I wasn’t sure a 10 year old cat would get adopted quickly, but cats do tend to live for a long time, and aside from her weight she is a very healthy cat. I hope they adore her, she was (mostly) very sweet…she did hiss at me and take a swipe once.
AC
Did I post accidentally? Anyway, I was referring to the Triple A of the post. I also wanted to commend you on how much you get done, with your exercise regimen and protesting and so on.
J
I don’t see a comment awaiting moderation, so I’m guessing it has gone into the ether. Thank you for your encouragement!
Daria
Ainsling is adopted, yay! What a pretty kitty!
How am I dealing with stress these days?… I don’t even know… My yoga studio finally closed but T gave me two months on Peloton so I will be using that app for strength, yoga and possibly meditation. Then I will be paying $13 a month. I did some strength today, lower body, and it was great.
I limit my news consumption, sticking to Erza Klein show and pantsuit politics podcasts… T reads a lot of news and he usually updates me in a nutshell.
Haven’t been walking so that is something to consider for stress relief for me, for sure.
J
It sounds like you’re doing great! I agree, walking is really beneficial, because there is something about being outside that really helps my mood. (Weather has to cooperate, of course…not a big issue here except in the summer, when I make sure to go before it gets too hot.)
Nicole MacPherson
Good for you, Julie! It’s so impressive to see someone really take action – great job!
J
Thanks Nicole!
Diane
I’ve joined a Lenten women’s group – basically a bunch or ladies I know who read a daily devotional during Lent and we get together to talk about it a couple times during the season. I’m not in the least religious – my friend had invited me because she thought I was Catholic since my husband was – but I do like the reflection and community I get from the group. Anyhow, last week the reading cited a Bible verse: “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27). I think about that verse a lot in this time of anxiety. The priest who wrote the book talks about how the verse is not asking us just to stop worrying, but, on a bigger level to show more concern for others so that we stop worrying about ourselves. I don’t know if I’ve achieved this – I still feel pretty selfish, but I feel like you are embodying this so well with all the activism that you are taking on.
There are plenty of protests and rallies in DC these days, but I don’t know if I would ever go to one – I don’t feel super comfortable in big crowds. My parents used to go to a lot of rallies for Taiwanese independence. I do so admire people who go to rallies and stand up and make noise, though. I guess I’m still struggling to figure out what my brand of activism is.
J
Thank you Diana, I feel pretty selfish most of the time too. I reward myself for these things, because really, I would rather be doing something fun. So if I want to go sit in a cafe and have a coffee while I write my postcards, I do. If I want to sit somewhere with a glass of wine while I write my postcards, I do. If I want to go to lunch after a protest, I do. It’s a very bougie type of activism I guess.
I really like that verse and the book’s interpretation of it. Thank you for sharing it here.
I hope you find your brand of activism. We can all do something, and it absolutely does not have to be the SAME thing. For me, it really does help me feel better.
Ernie
Good for you getting out there. Exercise helps me manage anxiety. Going for a walk with Coach helps too, especially regarding upsetting issues on the home front. When they arise which lately is fairly regular. Cheers to the woman who will walk an hour to a rally.