I have turned off all news notifications. That way I go and find the news when I wish to read it and it puts me in control of when I absorb the good and the bad. I also subscribe to good news newsletters. There are many out there and they really lift my spirits because the corporate media is not reporting good news these days. In addition, I do the Wendy McNaughton 30 days of drawing 10 minutes a day and I subscribe to Happier, the Dan Harris meditation app. Both of those have proven very helpful Finally, when I find myself sinking into despair, I take an action. I call a friend, I call a Congress person, I write an email for a cause I support, I go for a brisk walk, I swim laps, etc..
I was at a cardiologist this morning trying to determine why twice in the last year I have had a pain wrap around my chest like a thick rubber band. "0" calcium score, low blood pressure, low heart rate, cholesterol in check with statins. No testing has told any sort of story I need to be worried about - so I'm not. My background is in physical education and exercise physiology. I eat healthy, have exercised regularly forever and have spent a blessed life with two parents and extended family and friends who I love and who love me. I can't think of a time that I didn't feel loved. My husband is calm, cool and easy to be with. My son - well, he is 22 and not where he would like to be but we are giving him space because it's "tough" out there. I feel so fortunate, and yet, often find it incredibly hard to stay balanced. Even when everything including the sunshine is working in my favour, moments and days can be unsettling. Part of being centred in my choices is realizing that I might not be tomorrow. People can ask too much of themselves and I think that you have done an exceptional job of speaking to that. Thank you for your wise words.
Excellent advive that came at the perfect time for me. My stress is health related and has nothing to do with politics, but your advice is sound one thing I would add that my faith has been a great bull work for me. I hope you will mention it again in the future condition God bless you you’ve done a good job
Thank you for acknowledging the extreme levels of stress that many of us are feeling right now, especially those directly negatively impacted. This post was immensely helpful. Will be sharing widely!
Everything you write is illuminating, Lucy, but this post is magnificent. Such clarity and compassion. And fabulous, practical suggestions, both from you and in the comments, too.
This is all wonderfully sustaining - and a timely reminder of the agency we do, in fact, have, every moment of every day.
Dr. Lucy, I greatly appreciate your approach to medicine through the portal of the mind.
I developed a practice I call Living A Well-Integrated Life 2.5 years ago and it has helped me do exactly what you speak of in this piece.
I “measure” my feelings on a daily basis in 5 categories I have decided are the key categories for me, Spiritual, Mental/Emotional (this is the lens through which I see the next 3), Physical, Relationships and Financial.
My goal has been to give each category equal attention each day with the idea that on a scale of 1 to 10 I will FEEL at least an 8 every day. If a category falls below that, I think about what I can do to move the needle up. The true goal is to be at peace in each category, ie, not stressed, anxious, depressed or alternatively not over excited either about any one category. Definition of a 10 is inner peace (it’s really a zero, lol!).
The practice has become a habit and my resilience in the current climate is vastly improved from 2.5 years ago.
I created a platform called Graceing Agefully from which I share my thoughts on aging and changing the culture of aging, especially for Baby Boomers (I turned 70 last year).
Your messages always give me hope I’m on the right path, thank you! Jennifer Sproul, founder Graceing Agefully
Great article, I couldn't agree more. I love the line, "Reclaiming agency does not require a certain socioeconomic status. It does not require any fancy device or gizmo. Having agency over your health simply requires access to what already lives inside you." Yes, yes, yes.
When I get overwhelmed by watching or reading the news, I am listening to the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros - Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. They are great distractions!
All of the above.... journaling, regular sleep schedule, regular somewhat healthy meals, moderate ETOH, regular exercise and yoga routine, Calm app, managing pain through PT, minimizing consumption of news, reduce worrying about things I can do nothing about and working on resolving the things that I can. Definitely hard, but better than the alternatives.
I’ve had a meditation practice for over 20 years. I went through the Jon Kabat Zinn program, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This was an eight week class. I’ve used this program many times throughout the day since November. I just lay flat on my back, close my eyes, and breathe. No TV or radio. My news sources are here on Substack. I’m empty nest. I limit my social circle to people who are not news junkies. Volunteer at the library in the children’s section. No appetite but force myself to eat properly. Walks when possible. Yoga. We can just take so much each day. Be kind to yourself.
I love your common sense medical advice. Thank you! I have a very basic Fitbit watch I’ve never activated. I just use my phone to count my steps. The watch would be less cumbersome. Keeping track of my goal keeps me moving, and walking, even in this cold weather. I always feel better after the walks, even if it’s 2 miles around the neighborhood.
You might want to activate your Fitbit. You don't have to receive notifications on all aspects of your health. You decide what information you would like to receive. Many people think they are more active than what they really are, this may not be you, but for those people it can be helpful.
I have turned off all news notifications. That way I go and find the news when I wish to read it and it puts me in control of when I absorb the good and the bad. I also subscribe to good news newsletters. There are many out there and they really lift my spirits because the corporate media is not reporting good news these days. In addition, I do the Wendy McNaughton 30 days of drawing 10 minutes a day and I subscribe to Happier, the Dan Harris meditation app. Both of those have proven very helpful Finally, when I find myself sinking into despair, I take an action. I call a friend, I call a Congress person, I write an email for a cause I support, I go for a brisk walk, I swim laps, etc..
I was at a cardiologist this morning trying to determine why twice in the last year I have had a pain wrap around my chest like a thick rubber band. "0" calcium score, low blood pressure, low heart rate, cholesterol in check with statins. No testing has told any sort of story I need to be worried about - so I'm not. My background is in physical education and exercise physiology. I eat healthy, have exercised regularly forever and have spent a blessed life with two parents and extended family and friends who I love and who love me. I can't think of a time that I didn't feel loved. My husband is calm, cool and easy to be with. My son - well, he is 22 and not where he would like to be but we are giving him space because it's "tough" out there. I feel so fortunate, and yet, often find it incredibly hard to stay balanced. Even when everything including the sunshine is working in my favour, moments and days can be unsettling. Part of being centred in my choices is realizing that I might not be tomorrow. People can ask too much of themselves and I think that you have done an exceptional job of speaking to that. Thank you for your wise words.
Thank you for this, Andrea. I hear you. I appreciate you sharing this. 🙏
You didn't mention a spiritual life. It may help to find a spiritual life; if you don't have one.
Excellent advive that came at the perfect time for me. My stress is health related and has nothing to do with politics, but your advice is sound one thing I would add that my faith has been a great bull work for me. I hope you will mention it again in the future condition God bless you you’ve done a good job
Thank you for acknowledging the extreme levels of stress that many of us are feeling right now, especially those directly negatively impacted. This post was immensely helpful. Will be sharing widely!
Everything you write is illuminating, Lucy, but this post is magnificent. Such clarity and compassion. And fabulous, practical suggestions, both from you and in the comments, too.
This is all wonderfully sustaining - and a timely reminder of the agency we do, in fact, have, every moment of every day.
Dr. Lucy, I greatly appreciate your approach to medicine through the portal of the mind.
I developed a practice I call Living A Well-Integrated Life 2.5 years ago and it has helped me do exactly what you speak of in this piece.
I “measure” my feelings on a daily basis in 5 categories I have decided are the key categories for me, Spiritual, Mental/Emotional (this is the lens through which I see the next 3), Physical, Relationships and Financial.
My goal has been to give each category equal attention each day with the idea that on a scale of 1 to 10 I will FEEL at least an 8 every day. If a category falls below that, I think about what I can do to move the needle up. The true goal is to be at peace in each category, ie, not stressed, anxious, depressed or alternatively not over excited either about any one category. Definition of a 10 is inner peace (it’s really a zero, lol!).
The practice has become a habit and my resilience in the current climate is vastly improved from 2.5 years ago.
I created a platform called Graceing Agefully from which I share my thoughts on aging and changing the culture of aging, especially for Baby Boomers (I turned 70 last year).
Your messages always give me hope I’m on the right path, thank you! Jennifer Sproul, founder Graceing Agefully
Thank you for this, Jennifer! I love this. So healthy. So wise. I appreciate you!!! ❤️
Perfect timing as always and right on target! Thank you for your amazing intellect and wisdom.
Thank you, Kathleen
Great article, I couldn't agree more. I love the line, "Reclaiming agency does not require a certain socioeconomic status. It does not require any fancy device or gizmo. Having agency over your health simply requires access to what already lives inside you." Yes, yes, yes.
Thank you for keeping me sane.
When I get overwhelmed by watching or reading the news, I am listening to the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros - Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. They are great distractions!
All of the above.... journaling, regular sleep schedule, regular somewhat healthy meals, moderate ETOH, regular exercise and yoga routine, Calm app, managing pain through PT, minimizing consumption of news, reduce worrying about things I can do nothing about and working on resolving the things that I can. Definitely hard, but better than the alternatives.
I’ve had a meditation practice for over 20 years. I went through the Jon Kabat Zinn program, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This was an eight week class. I’ve used this program many times throughout the day since November. I just lay flat on my back, close my eyes, and breathe. No TV or radio. My news sources are here on Substack. I’m empty nest. I limit my social circle to people who are not news junkies. Volunteer at the library in the children’s section. No appetite but force myself to eat properly. Walks when possible. Yoga. We can just take so much each day. Be kind to yourself.
I am going to keep reading Lucy in order to navigate the trail of health righteousness.
Not sure what you mean here, Ken, but thanks for reading …
I love your common sense medical advice. Thank you! I have a very basic Fitbit watch I’ve never activated. I just use my phone to count my steps. The watch would be less cumbersome. Keeping track of my goal keeps me moving, and walking, even in this cold weather. I always feel better after the walks, even if it’s 2 miles around the neighborhood.
You might want to activate your Fitbit. You don't have to receive notifications on all aspects of your health. You decide what information you would like to receive. Many people think they are more active than what they really are, this may not be you, but for those people it can be helpful.