I think I am what one might term "emotionally frazzled" and I think I know why: too many

[Atticus]

of the names and faces---dozens and dozens---that I hear and see each day in the "news" belong to evil greedy immoral Trumpie assholes and each brings a bump in the blood pressure and a tightening of the stomach.

I have posted before that "stress is the physiological result of constantly suppressing the urge to slap the liviin' shit out of some sonofabitch who richly deserves it!" That is my problem. I am allowing them to trigger a reaction that harms only me.

So, that's the problem. Now, I just have to work on a solution, but I have to confess: I still think Matt Gaetz needs smackin'.

I have work to do.

[luv2fly]

1. I feel it too

My solution has been to tune out... little news, less DU, more music. When I do tune back in it all gets annoying fast, so it ain't time for me yet.

[Turbineguy]

2. Gaetz?

Backpfeifengesicht

Definitely

I find listening to somebody, anybody, in the Biden administration helps sooth the nerves.

[Laelth]

3. I watch Jen Psaki whenever possible.

That’s my therapy these days. Try it. I promise you will feel better.

Ignore the Trumpist assholes.

-Laelth

[mrsadm]

14. That's a great idea!

The voice of sanity...

[ananda]

4. Imagine how all us Texans w/o power felt..

as Gov Abbott and the Reeps gaslighted us
and were utterly absent from any recovery
efforts.

IOW, you are not alone.

[Silent3]

5. It's not the evil greedy immoral Trumpie assholes themselves that frazzle me...

...it's the distinct lack of them all being in prison that's the problem.

[yonder]

9. here, here....that's a big10-4

[Laelth]

29. Point. n/t

-Laelth

[Hortensis]

6. If taking up gardening or free rock climbing don't appeal,

a sure fix in any amount is broadening reading, stay in the easy chair but turn politics into only one of several "tabs" of interest informed, well balanced people have. Amateur political junkie-ism isn't normal or healthy, physically, mentally, or intellectually.

There's a great world out there, even in this current superstorm era of scary-serious problems. Living mostly nice lives is normal for most of the human race. People everywhere are busy doing big, important things.
Expanding our context for understanding that, far beyond politics, not only makes us happier and more realistic and positive, it makes us a lot smarter about politics.

Off to follow my own too-neglected advice.

To Meet Ambitious Emissions Goals, Large Food Companies Are Looking to Lock Carbon in Soil
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/meet-ambitious-emissions-goals-large-food-companies-are-looking-lock-carbon-soil-180977053/

https://thumbs-prod.si-cdn.com/FYponCx6lJvG0mVd3KRG-6fSuUs=/800x600/filters:no_upscale()/

[qwlauren35]

7. I generally find

that DU does not post much about the scumbags, so I stay here.

And if it looks like the post is about a scumbag, I skip it.

I am moving forward, Biden is moving forward. I am leaving the scumbags behind - let Garland deal with them.

[bottomofthehill]

8. I feel your pain

Atticus,
Since the armed insurrection directed by our Ex-President, I have been caught up in the investigation and arrest of these terrorists. It has made me angry ( an understatement) sad, tired, generally pissed off. I am having a hard time breaking the cycle as it constantly pops up on the TV news, news papers, conversations at work, it is everywhere. When you add the isolattion of Covid (I am still working) there is no social life to blow off steam, these are just tough times.

Thankfully, I have been able to vent here, and it has helped. Best to vent where you can. Better days are coming. Look at the last 30 days with competent adult leadership in the White House.

Keep the faith

[Oldem]

10. Breathe. Count your blessings,

and the importance you've given these people will diminish to manageable size. They aren't worth that much attention.

[dameatball]

11. Unfortunately, the urge to smack Matt Gaetz is incurable and irreversible. The rest of the stuff you

can maybe get an intervention or find some meds for. I am pretty sure that the "Hates For Gaetz" is actually genetically coded in decent and rational human beings. So cheer up. You are normal.

[c-rational]

12. Recognition of the problem is half the battle. Go easy on yourself, you are not alone.

Over the last several days I have noted too many reThugs given air time and they continue to equivocate about the free and fair 2020 election-complete crap. They are pandering to the POS who just left that they cannot leave. UGH.

[birdographer]

13. Back away from the news

I was emotionally frazzled and then some prior to 1/20, particularly on the 6th. But I came out of it, and you can too. First, get away from the news. Frankly, I find that coming here and reading posts and scanning the sidebar video titles tells me if anything that really matters has happened. That, and the few things my husband comments on from a news site, are it. There's nothing I can do about any of that other noise going on. And, at the risk of sounding egocentric, I consider how much any of it affects my life. We are fine, the dogs are fine, the finances are fine, the house is intact, the fridge is stocked, the cars run. Cancun Cruz, Moscow Mitch, the former guy, that POS Hawley, even Gaetz with his shoebox head, are outside of my bubble, they can't touch what matters to me.

For the sake of your wellness, step away from the news aside from staying aware of the major stories (and there aren't that many that matter). Look inward instead, and ask yourself just what has changed in your life because of all the depravity in DC. I know how you feel; I was so stressed I couldn't even read a book in its entirety, and I am a lifelong reader. My jaw hurt from being clenched. I would have mini panic attacks at 2 am. It's no way to live. Time for some attitude adjustment, as you have recognized.

[smirkymonkey]

33. +1000

Thank you for this. So helpful. Seriously.

[Jon King]

15. Just laugh at them....

Seriously, they peaked Jan 6th and are now just a joke. No power, demographics changing fast to insure they will never get the Presidency again. They will only win elections in deep red areas so who cares. Trump candidates will only win where Repubs would have already won.

Just concentrate on everything Democrat, vote, send money, support the best we can in every swing state. They lost, and will continue losing the more they double down on Trumpism.

Laugh...they are truly nothing but a joke now. Trump golfs and Ivanka walks the beach while these dimwits keep sending them money. Whatever.

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. I know what you mean.

I toy with the idea of trying to break the addiction I seem to have for political news.

[tavernier]

17. Please seek help immediately.

If you can drive yourself, ok, but I suggest you find a friend to take you.
Go immediately to the nearest ice cream store in your vicinity. You will need to request chocolate... if they are out of chocolate, make your way to the next nearest store. I know it sounds unusual, but there has been a severe shortage of chocolate ever since the rump was in office, so you might run into that. Anyway, once you have ordered the chocolate ice cream, take it slowly. It will help a great deal but rapid ingestion is not advised. If you have a problem with the plain kind, you may add fruits or nuts or syrups, or even another flavor of ice cream. It’s all good.
Keep eating until you can locate that smile that has been missing from your face.
Good luck!

[Atticus]

18. You are obviously a brilliant psychologist! That'll work! ( temporarily ) nt

[tavernier]

26. I have been practicing this craft for years.

[PatSeg]

19. And its not just how truly awful they are,

it is that it is hard to believe they are actual real human beings, not characters in a movie. We often accept the absurdity of fictional characters, but we don't expect that such people would appear in real life in positions of importance. In real life, people like that wouldn't get elected to governorships, congress, or the White House. They would be part of a very small fringe that no one would take seriously, like the John Birchers in the fifties or your crazy brother-in-law that everyone tolerates during the holidays or the obnoxious loudmouth drunk at the end of the bar. Certainly no news media would give them any serious exposure.

Then one day you wake up and see them everywhere infiltrating all our institutions, making guest appearances on mainstream news programs, and sitting in positions of power, making life-altering decisions that affect us all. It is still surreal to me and even more surreal is how many seemingly normal people accept and even approve of it.

[smirkymonkey]

34. I think that's what really gets me.

I mean how can any normal person NOT hate these people? And then you think, WTF?

[PatSeg]

35. Yes, that still blows me away

You might expect it from ignorant, relatively unworldly people, but not your neighbor, your co-worker, or even your friends and relatives. The people you thought you knew and now you wonder if you ever knew them at all. Falling for a line of BS is one thing, as we all are deceived now and then, but accepting and even defending the hate, dishonesty, and cruelty is incomprehensible.

I don't know. Either these "normal" people were never who we thought they were or they are easily manipulated and transformed. It really is nightmarish, like a horror flick.

[wnylib]

20. Some of the frustration for me comes

from knowing they deserve investigations, at the very least, and seeing them continue with impunity. It makes a person feel helpless.

So, there are two ways to handle that and you can do both. One is to call or e-mail a Senator or Representative who can take action. Encourage other people to do the same. If your own state members of Congress are unlikely to do anything, contact someone who is more likely to give a damn, like Schumer or Pelosi. Their staff will note the number of requests for action on specific issues.

Also, you can get involved in groups that are taking action on supporting candidates that are better alternatives to the scum in Congress.

That will help you feel less helpless and part of a solution.

Second, admit that as one person alone, you ARE somewhat helpless. You can't change the entire country. So after doing what you CAN do, let it go. Detach a bit. Avoid upsetting news reports. Take a vacation from them for a while and focus on fun things that you like in order to restore and maintain your sanity. Physical movement is a good way to work off suppressed energy that comes from wanting to smack someone. Whatever exercise you enjoy and can do will help, whether it's walking, running, biking, dancing, etc.

Enjoy some good music, maybe soothing tunes. Or movies. Books. A craft hobby. Whatever suits you and makes you feel better.

Good luck.

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

21. Well I feel much better now than I did before ...

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took over.

And every time Biden and the dems reverse some of the damage that trump's vile policies inflicted on the country, for me it's like a slap in trump's face. And trump and the repugs have taken a lot of slaps in the face over the past few months. So that can substitute for personally beating them up.

[Grasswire2]

22. PTSD of a sort.

Maybe C-PTSD. (C stands for "complex&quot

We have been in an abusive relationship with Trump(ism) far too long. This is the result.

Acting in kindness to others is a diversion. Burying oneself in doing good leaves little time for the abusers to affect us. The world needs joy, and anything we do to lift up another is time well spent to that end.

[Bayard]

23. I can't tolerate the sound of trump's voice.

Never could. That sing-songy world-weary monotone crap.

Go outside and play....with your dogs, cats, baby goats, or in the garden.

Rethuglicans--SSDD.

[mezame]

24. Cast Iron Therapy

KABONG!

[calimary]

25. Matt Gaetz does still need smackin'.

Let’s make it an electoral smackin’ - as soon next year.

[TwilightZone]

27. That's why I avoid TV "news" whenever possible.

I stopped watching much network or cable news years ago but doubled down when Trump became the nominee. I get almost all of my news from various sources online instead, and it's much less stressful.

[fierywoman]

28. I feel like I have a hangover from all the sort of news you wrote about. And, like with a

hangover, I'm finding I just don't have it in me to partake of it (that kind of news) any more.

[Faux pas]

30. We

need to do a class action law suit against all of them starting with the hump et al. Is there a such thing as emotional battery?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

31. Ive been doing coloring book games and paint by number games on my phone

and doing actual art when it all gets to pissing me off. And of course I do ritual magick to destroy all the sociopathic scum out there to make them all just die off. I have no shame asking the universe or whatever the unknown is to fix natures mistake and eliminate all abusers and abusers of power. i want every narcissist ,authoritarian and sociopath dead and gone from this earth, fuck em all. And just typing that I feel better.

[FlyingPiggy]

32. You and I both. Sometimes you just have to step away and breathe.