How are you all coping and How are you doing it?

[The empressof all]

Not a day goes by now that I'm not silently screaming multiple times every time I pay attention to the current state of our countries affairs. I find it have had to curtail my news intake as my body just can't take the anger and anxiety I feel every time Trumps face or voice appears. Feeling enraged is fricken exhausting. I'm trying to find other distractions but the news junkie in me keeps going back in for that fix even though it sickens me. My public school teachers taught me in the sixties that a good citizen is an informed citizen and old habits die hard. I send what money I can to blue candidate, call and write my Congressional offices and feel like I talk to others about these criminals in the White House incessantly. I am coping the best I can by watching Korean Dramas and being mindful to pay attention to other things. I no longer can keep the news on in the background or in the car. We are living in strange and dangerous times....and it just sucks.

How are you all doing?

[Archae]

1. First off, I turned off 24/7 news.

I only see a few things on the Internet and ABC news in the evening.
This way I've cut down the talking head shows to zero.

I also stick with the ABC affiliate news sites in the area.

I put on a music channel.

And I come here, to get answers. Most of the time.

[Baltimike]

27. I tunred it off too...Rachel on occasion, but that's it. nt

[hlthe2b]

2. I hate that I grab my phone constantly when I'm away from the computer with a sense of dread

but equal parts obsessive desire to know what has happened in the past 15 minutes or so! I haven't done that since 911--that is until Trump usurped the WH.

As a result (and like most of us, I suspect), I am constantly stressed and anxious. Every time "Trump" is uttered on tv or online streaming news, I get another dose of dread.

Denial is a potent coping mechanism, but if we are not successful I honestly don't know how many of us (myself included) are going to deal with it.

How am I staying sane now? Long, long, long walks/hikes with my pup on the nearby set of trails. Listen to podcasts as much as possible as a diversion--or my music collection.

[ismnotwasm]

9. You don't have a Apple Watch clearly

(Not that you should) I get updates whether I have my phone or not.
On that note, I watch no TV, listen to no pundits, no talk radio, no podcasts, no form of media I can’t read. I completely control when I want to follow a topic by reading about it. When I want to know more, I research it. I do use social media a bit, it’s useful to read about voices I might not otherwise hear.

And to post garden pictures of course. Love my garden.

[DFW]

3. I moved to Germany

One of the friendly natives (my wife), said it was time to cut down on my intercontinental commuting, and spend more time in Europe.

She was right, even if I'm still in a different country every day for my job. At least now, if I have to run down to Paris or Zürich for the day, it's a 55 minute flight instead of 11 hours.

[mr_lebowski]

4. Alcohol, and lots of it ... & I honestly won't survive if we lose in 2020

Hell, I might not even make it until 2020.

[The empressof all]

6. I refuse to die until He is gone.....

I'm old and I have multiple health issues but I am actually living for the day the Criminal sees Justice.

[shanti]

15. I was using that coping method for awhile

until it started to affect my health, so in January I quit altogether. 5 months sober today! I'm in CA, so now it's just Not the same, but it least it helps me sleep better.

There's really no escaping him, as he inserts his madness into our lives on a daily basis. Stress is a killer, and he's killing us.

[The Blue Flower]

5. Until the shit storm abates, I cut back on watching the news

Empress, I learned to care about the war in Vietnam in my 9th grade civics class in 1964. I have paid close attention ever since to what's happening in the world. I've come to the conclusion that this unadulterated evil will have to run its course. This deep level of destructiveness can only end in self-immolation in the same way that a cancer will destroy its host if not stopped. The host is the R party, and it will implode, but who knows how well our system will renew itself? When this maladministration began, I wanted to see the silver lining as so many Americans finding a new commitment to our traditional values. The activism was so encouraging. But now that there seems to be no accountability as the dark vortex of trumpism nullifies more and more of who we have always been, I just can't stomach what I'm seeing. So, as I've said, I watch much less and try to trust that the DNA of America will prevail.

[captain queeg]

7. I agree, sometimes I just have to take a break from the news cycle

I just retired this year and I find myself spending much more time on DU and watching the news. It inevitably makes me frustrated and angry. On one hand I have to remember that my life is going ok, but I can’t ignore some of the trends in this country. I don’t want to just stick my head in the sand.

I’m undecided at the moment, beyond whoever the democratic nominee is. No one is going to make everyone happy but we all need to stick together to get that orange shit stain out of office. One step at a time. Along those lines, now that I’m retired I’d like to spend some time attending rallies and protests in the coming year. It would give me a chance to travel a bit with purpose and meet like minded people. Right now I’m getting my finances squared away and taking care of some health issues. I ought to be much freer in a couple months.

It can be pretty discouraging sometimes. More than Trump himself, it’s the fact he’s getting away with all this crap with the approval of a significant portion of the population and politicians. Sometimes I think I just want to emigrate but remind myself the trump humpers are the minority.

[OliverQ]

8. I'm not coping well.

I deal with depression/anxiety as it is, and the current state of affairs is making it much worse. Add to that I need a new job and I can't really find much I can do, and I want to move to another country but have no means to do so...

I'm doing pretty bad overall.

[The empressof all]

16. I hear you...

Things can feel pretty bleak right now....I struggle to find hope but make a real effort to do so every day. We never thought our country could sink into such a pit....But know there is an end to this bottom and that this too will turn....It will get better....For you and for our country.

[BillyBobBrilliant]

10. I removed the major news

channels from my favorites, so I don't have to hear the crap, and the horrible commercials they run. I won't turn them back on until after the summer is over. I once a day seek out some news update, but as brief as possible. I won't even consider a candidate until the field gets winnowed down to abut five. I have been voting since 1972, and can see the crap for what it is.
My suggestion -- Enjoy the summer, this may be the last one, and listen to some music.

[Lucid Dreamer]

37. BBB. That pretty well describes me. nt

[nancy1942]

11. Not at all well.

I feel like I've been beaten to a pulp on a daily basis. Depressed and furious. Tired. Hopeless. Like I'm stuck in a damn nightmare. I do cross-stitch and read a lot to take what's left of my mind off the hell this country has become. I feel sick.

[handmade34]

12. I'm cleaning my garage

and getting rid of all extras... simplifying ...and eating lots of chocolate chip cookies

[seltzerwater]

13. I dont watch the news

and I smoke pot daily.

[SammyWinstonJack]

42. ...

[msdogi]

14. I got tired of being outraged

so limit my consumption of news. I have to avoid conversations about the horrors being inflicted on our country and the world as giving voice to them enrages me all over again.
I have decided to trust our elected Senators and Representative to do what they can. I live in California, so all are solid Democrats.
Do believe there is a lot going on that we don't hear about, so who knows what is in store.
I am lucky to have met many people in my daughter's age group who are committed to making the world a better place and are working in a lot of ways to make positive things happen.
Maybe the elections in 2020 will be all we hope, we just have to wait and see. It is very clear that there are few if any elected republicans willing to change anything, maybe the r voters will be different. As always, voter turnout is everything.
Dark and scary times, but there are always places of hope, beauty, and peace. Korean dramas, gardening, volunteering, whatever works.

[Turin_C3PO]

17. Not good.

I’m heartbroken over the direction our country is going in. We’re all spectators to the losing of our democracy. Every day they chip off more and more of our institutions and norms.

I’m depressed and anxious all the time.

[marlakay]

18. Actually I am doing wonderfully

I am in Ireland for the whole summer filled with peaceful happy people. I limit my news and spend more time viewing the beautiful scenery and listening to music in the pubs. Right now having dinner in a pub.

With the exception of that small town by Trumps golf course where most work for him. I have been here 3 weeks and haven't met one person here who likes him.

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. Whiskey, cigarettes, and antidepressants

[hunter]

20. I don't watch any television.

Our television plays Netflix and DVDs. That's all it does.

"Traditional" television -- broadcast, cable, or satellite -- is an anxiety machine. Even if you don't watch the news, the commercials work by making you anxious about something... be it politics, your appearance, your social standing, or your health

Ask your doctor...

I get my news from my local papers and international news sites like the BBC mostly. Unlike television, I can simply skip over the stories that uselessly infuriate me, and I never have to hear Trump's voice.

If I owned a television or radio station I would always replace Trump's voice with the quacking of an angry duck. There is no more meaning to his words than that.

[Boomerproud]

21. Like many responders I am depressed and anxious.

I'm not sure I"m coping at all. My family are repubs and support the regime in various degrees. Most of my coworkers are 45 supporters as well. I feel helpless and alone and so tired of 45 infesting my life like the cockroach that he is. I'm not the same person I once was. No joy or sense of wonder. Pills and alcohol aren't going to change anything.

[musette_sf]

22. I haven't watched or listened to news broadcasts since 11/9/16.

I cannot look at or listen to him or his henchpeople.

[Vinca]

23. I've got the best garden I've had in years. Hardly a weed in sight.

No television. No Internet. No radio. Just silence broken by birds chirping (unless the asshole neighbor decides to target shoot). I've also taken to an hour's respite reading mystery novels - although I made an exception for the last Michael Wolff book. Here's a funny story. After reading "Siege," I decided to resell it at a shop where I sell antiques and collectibles. As I was unloading my cart of stuff from the back of my car, a nice man came along and asked if he could help. Right on the top of the cart was the Michael Wolff book. The guy snickered as he grabbed the cart and said "You're going to have to put a cover on that." (The only part of Wolff's book that was objectionable was Dear Leader's back on the dust jacket.)

[Raine]

24. Don't live politics 24/7

interest yourself in other thing's.

[GoCubsGo]

25. I swear a lot more than I used to.

And, I used to put drunken sailors to shame with my cursing.

[happyaccident]

26. I find listening to young "committed to justice" people to help alot

I try to recommend "The People's History of U.S." by Howard Zinn to those who haven't read it. Reading about the struggle to achieve justice in this country not only gives courage from reading about past struggles but also helps expose the myths that surround this country. If you've already read it, read it again when needed. I think we have always lived in strange and dangerous times, it's just our countries myth are being exposed for what they really are... the endless class war. I don't consider this a bummer, it is an opportunity. And I LOVE my garden and feeding people.

[Liberalhammer]

28. Republicans are Nazis

Traitors and the lowest scum on the planet.

Other than that it's clear thry must be fought at every chance.

Committed to destroy the rightwing traitors.

[Crunchy Frog]

29. I let myself go off the rails when GWB invaded Iraq.

Which caused me to plummet into a major depression.

I know that I can't afford to do that to myself again, so I'm dialed way back on the political stuff.

I like to binge Doctor Who and other TV series that catch my fancy.

I think the country's probably going down the crapper, but I don't see that there's much I can do about it.

[Raine]

38. I did that when Raygun was President

and decided to never do it again. I'm not going back to that dark place where there was nothing but hate and bitterness for almost a decade.

[maryellen99]

30. I cut off 24/7 news

I read plus listen to true crime podcasts. The only political ones I listen to are Pod Save America and Pod Save The World.

[wryter2000]

31. One thing

I turn off the TV if the Orange Abomination is on for more than a few seconds. My late husband hit the mute button for me when BushII came on.

[northoftheborder]

32. Very little TV news comes in here; actually most TV I hear is from the Public-----

----Station or Netflix or Amazon. I listen to TV news to learn of significant national events, some of the Congressional hearings, the debates, and some MSNBC in the evening (even that, I often turn off, if they are obviously rerunning old news and punditry.) I can get a lot of news from NPR, I tune in here a couple times a day to learn more, subscribe to several online papers. The tiny bit of TV blabber which I accidentally hear is enough to make me turn it off and get busy on projects.

I have listened to dozens of books on Audible the last three years; fiction, non-fiction, history, biographies. At night I doze off with other books "printed."

I have set up Spotify with my favorite music.

I have been involved for months with digitizing my family photographs, nearly finished. I have many other projects to keep me busy without getting depressed with news.

All of these things have helped me keep my sanity, in this national nightmare. I hope I live beyond this period and see this precious country moving forward and progressively.

[trev]

33. Stress-reducing practices

such as meditation, deep breathing, and avoidance of alcohol.

[malaise]

34. Walking and exercising

as well as switching off and doing other things.

[Midnight Writer]

35. In Illinois, a bit of relief, with new Democratic Gov taking over from conservative crank conman

State's bills being paid (some in arrears by years), first budget approved in four years, new liberal laws being put on the books.


A little glimpse of what I hope will be a national trend.

[guillaumeb]

36. Regular excercise helps me.

Lifting weights, gardening, and walking with my wife twice a day.

[AwakeAtLast]

39. I'm on Zoloft

I was having some anxiety issues anyway, but two plus years of this isn't helping!

[pecosbob]

40. I started muting Rs on NPR when they got all corporate-friendly during Bush I

Then I cut the cable after the astroturfed Brooks Brothers 'riot' at the beginning of Bush II. Now I get my news where I want it and when I want it, without any input from Chuck Todd or Tweety or any other Republican normalizers or apologists. I haven't heard Mitch McConnell's voice in over a decade.

[orleans]

41. vodka & tonic, cigarettes, & chocolate

it's been a shit ten years for me (too much death and loss).
depression, exhaustion, and then this trump fucker came along. UGH!
i can't believe i haven't just stroked out or disappeared from a heart attack.

i have a few creative outlets that i dive into when i have the energy and then exhaust myself with various projects. so, at least there is that.

[mnhtnbb]

43. Like many others here

I have cut way back on watching TV news. Maybe Chris Hayes or Rachel or Lawrence some nights, but nothing else unless it's a one time event or disaster of some sort. I cannot abide the sight or sound of the orange one. Mute button works for clips of him talking.

I did not watch the Dem debates. I do watch Bill Maher because laughing is good. Liked his idea of throwing out half the candidates.

I limit time on DU. I read a lot. Walk my dog several times a day. Binge watch series on Netflix. Right now I'm absorbed with Call the Midwife. I play with my photography hobby. See friends for coffee or lunch. Listen to music.

I'm retired and have gone through challenging and difficult events in my personal life in the last two years which have caused more than enough anxiety and difficulty sleeping. After the 2016 election I knew I couldn't handle the stress of staying connected to the outside world--which I couldn't change--at a time when I was focused on coping with events in my personal life to which I had to adapt. My personal life had to take priority. That's why I cut out as much exposure to the political news as I possibly could and still stay informed.

Once a Dem candidate is identified for 2020, I will get more involved. That traitorous sack of orange $hit has to go.

[mainer]

44. Midsomer Murders. Father Brown.

Cozy British TV mysteries at night, watched with whiskey in hand. It keeps me sane.