Take care of yourselves, my dear DU friends!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I fully recognize that this is a most stressful time, probably the most stressful time we've ever experienced as a nation, but we must take care of ourselves.

Stress can shorten your life.

The Greek philosopher Epictetus said that there are two kinds of things: The things you have control over, and the things you don't.

If you can't affect something, then try not to worry about it. But do what you can, obviously!

And...go for walks, bike rides, swims...whatever makes your body work. Take your medicines. Get away from the news now and then.

I'm worried about our nation too, but today I went to the gym and when I came home, I felt calmer and more in control of myself. I was also more aware of my own abilities. It cleared my mind.


We will get through this.

[volstork]

1. Thank you, Dear CaliforniaPeggy!

These are words I needed to hear.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Glad I could help!

[dhol82]

3. As Garrison Keiler recommended

Go out and rake leaves. Go clean out your garage. You'll feel better.

[VOX]

16. I've been dodging a major garage mess for three years...

Looks like a merciless, get-rid-of-it-all clean-up is finally gonna happen.

[dhol82]

21. Yeah, me too

[LuckyLib]

4. Wise words. Especially the part about getting "off" of the news for a time.

It does wonders for your mental health.

[rawhideal]

5. Serenity

I say the Serenity payer.

[Stuart G]

13. Welcome to Du...and..I will also say the Serenity Prayer...

God/ Higher Power.. grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..
Courage to change the things I can......
and the wisdom to know the difference.

[rawhideal]

18. Serenity

Thanks, I have to here in Alabama.

[kentuck]

6. Thank you, Peggy!

[Mira]

7. Found this as I walk in

From the YWCA/ swam 22 lengths and walked a mile. What you said is working out for me as well. But seriously- I'm the most depressed I've ever been. That IS dangerous.

[tavalon]

60. Protect yourself

Even if it means walking away from this fight. tRump doesn't deserve to destroy you. Don't let him, please.

[mnhtnbb]

8. Great advice, CalPeggy.

My early morning walks with my dog really help me.


Figuring out what it is possible to change is the challenge so energy isn't spent trying to change something beyond one's control.

[fleabiscuit]

9. Good advise. K&R

[Useless in FL]

10. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy!

I walk 2.5 to 3 hours at least 5 days a week....and pick up litter along the roads. Keeps me sane. Stress caused me to be diabetic and now I have it under control. This election has really challenged my resolve, but I keep going....

[a kennedy]

11. Perfect advice.....we will live to fight another day......

and being healthy is the only way.

[Stuart G]

12. Thank You for your kindness...

and your concerns about the nation and all of us.....thank you...

[lpbk2713]

14. Thanks Peg.

I'll do what I can.

[NightWatcher]

15. A song from my favorite anarchist. Kiss Behind the Barricades by David Rovics

[VOX]

17. A thank-you to the nicest soul on DU...

Sound advice, CaliforniaPeggy. You are a gem!

[Sophiegirl]

28. 1B. nt

[csziggy]

19. Excellent advice, my dear CaliforniaPeggy!

Monday I started catching up on health items that had been delayed for the election and for a trip. Dentist appointment, eye exam, wellness exam, and an appointment with an orthopedic hand specialist to see if he can alleviate the pain in my left thumb.

Dental is all taken care of as of today. Got a new shiny cap on a broken tooth made with a "3D printer" in house in ten minutes. It was cool to watch my new tooth being made!

Eyes examined and new lenses on order. Hopefully they will be enough to let me see my needlework for a few years longer. Why didn't I take up this delicate needlework when my eyes and hands were younger?

The other appointments aren't til later but will be done by the end of the year.

After the holidays I'm getting back involved in politics - local stuff, pushing for liberals and progressives. But not until the holiday disruption is done.

[MontanaMama]

20. Point well taken!

Exercise works wonders as does just being outside. Never underestimate the power of breathing in a little nature.

I, too, have been very depressed this past week and have been trying to practice some good self care. Going to bed a little earlier and staying away from tv. Listening to good music and taking walks with my good dogs.

I discovered DU only a month or so ago but you all have been a great gift to me and my sanity. Be well all of you. It'll take a village to get us through the days ahead.

[barbtries]

22. i got a prescription for Klonopin today.

People are concerned about my state of mind. I could lose cordial relationships with co-workers because i deplore their politics and see how blase and oblivious they are. So I asked my Dr for a prescription and he gave me one. When he responded he also had some encouraging words, but I can shoot those down so fast...for instance he wrote, don't forget that we are still a nation of laws, and though I did not write this back to him, I certainly thought, let's just see what those laws mean during a Drumpf presidency. A friend at work, not the first one, said, maybe it won't be so bad, and I said, You haven't noticed who he's putting in all the top positions in his cabinet? on and on.

I've never been one for the happy pills but I need to work, and I need to keep my job as long as possible. So. Klonopin. I just took the first one to make sure I'll still be able to drive on them.

ETA my dear Peggy, you are always such a rock! when i get home to CA i hope we can meet for real.

[DesertFlower]

23. thanks peggy. i'm trying.

[GoneOffShore]

24. We will only get through this if we resist with every fiber of our being.

The authoritarians have arrived.

Don't be nice.

Don't go gently.

Do not give in.

#resist

[mopinko]

25. spend time w your pets. my dogs

keep me on the right side of the grass.

[GoneOffShore]

26. And talk to your friends and neighbors who think that this is "normal".

Time to tell them that it isn't.
#notnormal

#resist

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. I live in a very blue neighborhood.

We get together at Christmas/Hanukah every year and we support one another. This year there will be more supporting. They are all very intelligent and politically aware, thank goodness.

[Homer Wells]

27. Thank you, Peggy

True words of wisdom. May your days be truly serene.
Steve

[Victor_c3]

29. At least he hasn't sent us to war yet

The most stressful time in my life was being sent to war by our politicians for no reason other than to kill as many Arabs as I could. Well, I more than got my fair share when I was there in 2004. I served as an infantry platoon leader in Iraq and I have more than my share of blood on my hands.

It has been worse. We can survive this.

[bdamomma]

67. Thank you for your service

[NRaleighLiberal]

31. it's really, really hard, Peggy.

The roller coaster of emotions each day since election day. It is a struggle to stay positive...and I am thinking that is what lots of the next four years will be like - change (much for the worse) on steroids - whiplash reactions and emotions.

You are so right about finding time to stay away from news - watch the birds, take a walk, cook a nice meal, see a movie, listen to music - whatever floats your boat - do it!

About that statement - those things we can control, those things we can't - I think that what separates people from the left from the other side is empathy. It is doubly disturbing - the possible impacts on us and our loves ones, but also the impacts on those we don't know, but feel for deeply anyway. That is what is really hard about this - the wide-spread negative potential impacts on so many people - and our climate - and our progress.

So thanks for your words - I agree completely. And yet - this feels far worse than Reagan and far worse than Dimson Bush. The lunatics are about to run the asylum. Nothing makes sense.

I spend a bit of time and scan DU news, TPM, Slate, NYT - and it is just one thing after another - just as with the Trump campaign, it is a new form of gaslighting - how many bad decisions and potential disasters can one hear about and read about in a single day?

[BigBearJohn]

32. That's great! Thank you.

[womanofthehills]

33. Good advice Peggy - I went to the gym and it helped

and tomorrow I have a book club meeting. No Republicans in my book club - so we will probably discuss the book for a short time and then talk about how sad we are. The problem is - it gets worse each day with deplorable appointment after deplorable appointment. Then there is North Dakota and macho men with guns.

I too have decided to simplify my belongings and clean out my shed but I have been having a hard time getting motivated although I know this will make me feel much better. I'm doing better than some of my neighbors. I live in a town that is very divided. A Baptist Republican just told my liberal, lesbian neighbor that she would pray for her.

[tavernier]

34. Amen!

Audible books are my life savers. Every time hubby turns on news, I pop in my earbuds (Bluetooth are perfect and LOUD) and zoom over to Scotland in the Outlander series. 8 big books so they might get me through till the impeachment.

[SalviaBlue]

35. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy, for the wise words.

And also remember what the late great Leonard Cohen said: "Ring the bell that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."

It seems really dire now but we don't know what's really going to happen.

[cwydro]

36. Thanks Peg. Glad to see a positive post!

The morning after the election (when I finally was able to face the news) I went for an hour long run.

Felt much better after that.

As my 90 year old mother said to her to her two disappointed daughters, "life goes on".

She and my dad lived through the Blitz in WW2; they continued with daily life with courage and fortitude.

We sure as hell WILL get through this!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. I felt compelled to write this, my dear cwydro!

It seemed to me that so many folks here were so upset and feeling like all is lost and it was affecting them personally.

This is how I combat this sort of feeling in my own self. And I thought other people could possibly benefit too.

[panader0]

37. Thanks Peggy

I've seen too many of "The sky is falling" posts. Some of those who are declaring the end
of the country are those who say Democrats have no spine. While the situation is
tough and weird, we will make progress. It's inevitable.

[Kablooie]

38. I feel I have to narrow my view to just my local vicinity right now.

To look at the big picture right now makes the future seem too futile.
I must appreciate what I and my family have and be satisfied with that for the moment.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. That is exactly right! Do what you can, and it will be enough.

[GreenEyedLefty]

39. Thank you for this.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

42. we went to the gym Wednesday and today. Intend to go 3 times a week. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. Good for you! Twice a week is all I can manage right now. n/t

[proud patriot]

44. I'm trying my best

sometimes are easier than others

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. For sure, my dear proud patriot..........

[BuddhaGirl]

46. Some days are easier than others

but overall, I'm feeling better...started up my meditation practice again and that is helping a lot!!

Thanks for the post, Peggy!

[bhikkhu]

47. I have full control over how I treat others

and that is the most important thing. Nothing "spends" better than kindness, and, though I'm usually fairly reserved and introverted in person, my goal is to be a little more open, outward and public in the next four years.

I know many people are afraid and many are hurting over this last election, sometimes just a kind greeting and an accepting smile can make all the difference. The smallest things we can do...

[nolabear]

48. I have adored you for years, Peggy. Since long before this baboon was around.

We will stand strong and we will get through.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. Wow, my dear nolabear!

What a sweet thing to say...

I have so much respect and affection for you and your abilities.........

Thank you!




And yes! We will stand strong and we will get through.

[nolabear]

50. You'e got mad skills too, girl. Don't let them stop you from using them.

[TrekLuver]

51. America has been through tough times before...we will get through this and we must not give up the

fight.

[montana_hazeleyes]

52. I was scared by the title that

you had some bad news about health or something. So glad it is instead good, caring advice for us!

[spanone]

53. K&R...

[Snarkoleptic]

54. Walked a couple of miles with Mrs. Snark yesterday, then played with pup in yard.

Tonight involves ale

[Freddie]

55. Distractions are the order of the day

I'm all cried out.
Planning Thanksgiving dinner is helping, as I find spending all day in the kitchen therapeutic (as long as I have good music and my husband does most of the cleaning afterwards.) Spending a lot of time with my grandchildren helps too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

56. Those are all good things to do, my dear Freddie...

[Grey Lemercier]

57. "probably the most stressful time we've ever experienced as a nation"

Unless by "we" you mean only living people, then not even close.

The Civil War and WW2 dwarf this atm.

[ReRe]

58. We will, CaliforniaPeggy...

... TOGETHER

[tavalon]

59. Just being back here has lowered my stress massively

Unfortunately anger can also be problematic. I don't see the anger going away just yet. Maybe as I get going on activist projects, I can find my zen.

And as an aside, I just wanted to say that for someone I've never met in real life, I really admire, respect and yeah, adore you. Thank you for being you.

[Snoopy 7]

61. Others

While you are taking care of your stress levels don't forget those around you, most of the voters you know did not vote for this President elect. Also I have noticed a change in the media coverage that has not been there under the present President. That change I noticed is the word that precedes the name Trump, President. For eight years our President has just gone by "Obama" by the press. I have hated that the press has managed to go eight years and not seen any shame on themselves by not calling him President Obama. Now we have "President elect Trump" hum I wonder what the difference is between them????

[kebob]

62. The Civil War was More Stressful

But a K&R for your uplifting message!

[dhill926]

63. well ya should have told me last week....

before I cauterized my liver.....just kidding. These are wise words everyone can heed. I do find myself being kinder to folks that are worried about the ramifications of agent orange being prez. And living in SoCal, there are many. How thankful I am to be living in the People's Republic of California, the sanest state in the union.

Now if I find out someone I'm talking to voted for trump....hellfire will rain on your bigoted ass. And yes, it has happened, and yes, that has made me feel better too. Fuck 'em.

The beach awaits....

[gademocrat7]

64. Thank you, CP.

I am taking your advice.

[DesertRat]

65. Good advice

I spend a lot of time walking in nature. I also go to Jazzercise and practice yoga, all of which really help maintain my physical and mental health.

[bdamomma]

66. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy

yes regarding myself I have been really wound up and I work in a psychiatric hospital and I don't want to be admitted concerning all this. Wise suggestions from you. We need to take care of ourselves and we must remain vigilant. I care more about our country than party, and the world is watching.

Walking is my outlet and working in the yard.

[Corey_Baker08]

68. Great Advice California Peggy....

Hope All Is Well...Considering!