topic Re: I took a “Day Off” in Community Chat

I took a “Day Off”

JumpTheRope — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:00:45 GMT

from constant Covid news/updates and even from Gov. Cuomo.

The last week or two, I watched/listened to All News, All Day.

Without making a conscious decision to *not watch” the news,

I found myself with other distractions.

Might I suggest others take a break from the updates and headlines

and take a walk around the block...look up at the sky.....trees and birds.

Im sure most folks are already doing this, but for those who haven’t....

(but are able) take a stroll alone and......just *BE*.

Stay Safe

Re: I took a “Day Off”

on the bay — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:11:15 GMT

@JumpTheRope It does feel good to take a day off and just be in nature, or anywhere we can be us without all the worries.

I'm kind of encouraged to see it is not just me watching the news. It gets to be obssessive but I guess we've never experienced anything like this before and unlike some, I find it comforting to watch the live news.

And yes, it was the same with most of us with 9/11.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

JumpTheRope — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:33:25 GMT

Yes, so true!

In fact, every September many cable channels run 9/11 coverage

and I still watch much of it.....every year.

I noticed that 2-different cable news channels had different

DEATH/CONFIRMED CASES counts for the US......

.......that’s when I realized I “had a problem”!

Re: I took a “Day Off”

PamfromCT — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:24:19 GMT

So wish I could. But I can’t. A friend had a couple symptoms that were of concern, got a script for “the test.” Went to one of the drive through test areas at a CT hospital. That went smoothly. However, nine days later, still waiting for results.

Person is at home, very careful, and seems quite stable. It may be or maybe not. He has a good attitude, saying even if he has the virus, it isn’t a bad case. But I worry. I guess his phone calls have revealed they have a record of his test, etc., but tests were sent out of state for determination, and a big backlog.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

SilleeMee — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:37:21 GMT

The only news programs I watch these days is my local news and the PBS News Hour.

I have been watching some special shows about the pandemic, for example the 'Townhall' shows with Dr. SG and some other ones on non-news channels.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 13:30:13 GMT

It's extremely important to do such things for your mental and physical health. Any amount helps, even if you can't do the entire day.

As someone who has lived with mental health issues long before this crisis, I have had to do such things anyway. Before this crisis. To protect myself from things and people that were toxic to my mental well being. I had to learn how to manage all of it to take care of myself more.

My fervent hope is that people who were so judgmental about those who live with mental health issues will have gained some empathy and understanding from these times. And will stop using stigmatizing hurtful words. Including on these forums.

I speak out about my issues not for sympathy or attention or any other self serving reason. I do it because I have nothing to be ashamed of, and to do my small part to end the stigma.

There is an even worse mental health crisis going on in this country right now, what will be done about it?

Re: I took a “Day Off”

World Traveler — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:05:26 GMT

I have been doing that since Monday and it has changed my mood back to being more relaxed and enjoying the moment. I'm doing all i can to protect myself.

Of course, while watching other programs on TV, news bits pop up, and I don't mind that. What I am not indulging in is the constant 24/7, not even a solid hour at one time.

I want to know the gist of what is happening, but don't need to know all the details.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

KKJ — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:09:13 GMT

@PamfromCT wrote:
So wish I could. But I can’t. A friend had a couple symptoms that were of concern, got a script for “the test.” Went to one of the drive through test areas at a CT hospital. That went smoothly. However, nine days later, still waiting for results.
Person is at home, very careful, and seems quite stable. It may be or maybe not. He has a good attitude, saying even if he has the virus, it isn’t a bad case. But I worry. I guess his phone calls have revealed they have a record of his test, etc., but tests were sent out of state for determination, and a big backlog.

A friend told me it takes 14 days to get the test results. I didn't realize this. Why so long?

Re: I took a “Day Off”

Jordan2 — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:10:08 GMT

I use to watch religiously shows on MSNBC and CNN, I have been staying away from them for the last couple of weeks. There is only so much I can take.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

SeaMaiden — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:10:18 GMT

@JumpTheRope sounds like a great idea! Like a vacation from STRESS

Re: I took a “Day Off”

vermint — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 18:09:27 GMT

This is a good idea! I'm at work all day, and the radio station we listen to has no news breaks at all...and it's great. Keeps me from listening to news all day long.

It's hard not to worry about people we know/love who may/may not have the virus, or are at high risk. But "worry" does nothing for the person we are worrying about, and the stress of worry is not good for us!

If I find myself feeling worried, I say a prayer. That's my way of coping. I'm absolutely concerned about the situation, and taking necessary precautions...but worrying/stressing about it is unproductive.

We all need to find a way to calm ourselves the best we can.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

Miss Pepsi — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:25:33 GMT

I need to do that, I have been crying for days. My social media feed and I do love social media is filled with it, just not sure how much more I can take before I sink into a total depression. It's bad

Re: I took a “Day Off”

hckynut — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:41:17 GMT

@JumpTheRope

Good for you, and I agree. For me with my well equipped basement gym, also fitted with my 9 speaker/2 subwoofer Surround sound! Throw in the music I love most, my mind goes many places that have nothing to do with the outside world, or problems.

I generally work out hard enough to get my "endorphins" go kick in, and that transports me to great places that my mind and body enjoy.

With our acreage abundant with all types of birds and wildlife, from our all glass 4 season patio room, we see nature at its best. We see some of the sky, but our big trees of all kinds, come of it is blocked, but right now, all but our spruce trees are pretty bare.

Like you say, get away from the news and find something, anything you enjoy. It sure makes my days much more pleasant. But dang it, I sure miss my ice skating.

hckynut(john)

Re: I took a “Day Off”

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:52:07 GMT

@Miss Pepsi wrote:
I need to do that, I have been crying for days. My social media feed and I do love social media is filled with it, just not sure how much more I can take before I sink into a total depression. It's bad

Have you tried listening to music that you like or music that is relaxing? I've been listening to a classical music station and I find it so relaxing.

Remember this forum is social media too. I live alone, so it's very lonely. I find myself spending too much time online because of loneliness. Then I have to realize how much all the threads about the virus are causing me anxiety and adjust accordingly.

If you can get outside and are able to walk try that. I've always been a dedicated walker and in so many ways it's my salvation.

When things are really bad you can always call an emotional distress hotline. I'm sure they're swamped with calls right now, but it's worth a try.

Re: I took a “Day Off”

hckynut — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 21:01:56 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21

I've been through my own mental health issues which included 7+ days in our Hospital Mental Ward. For me I don't consider myself as "being cured", I don't believe there is a cure in my case. I virw it as a day by day recovery period. Clinical Depression and Anxiety/Panic Disorder are my diagnosis. I am on meds along with regular Psychiatric visits, and do very well, most of the time.

I talk about this openly here, and on several different forums, and have for many years. If there were contributors stigmatizing me, I must have somehow missed it. Times like this are quasi normal for me so this pandemic had nor has no effect on my mental stability.

Will close with this. I have had numerous close to death medical experiences, but none of them come even CLOSE to actually experiencing the black hole I experienced for several years. I understand the mental pain from it's subterranean depth, and sympathize with all that have and are dealing with i

hckynut

Re: I took a “Day Off”

JumpTheRope — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 06:42:12 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

@JumpTheRope

Good for you, and I agree. For me with my well equipped basement gym, also fitted with my 9 speaker/2 subwoofer Surround sound! Throw in the music I love most, my mind goes many places that have nothing to do with the outside world, or problems.

I generally work out hard enough to get my "endorphins" go kick in, and that transports me to great places that my mind and body enjoy.

With our acreage abundant with all types of birds and wildlife, from our all glass 4 season patio room, we see nature at its best. We see some of the sky, but our big trees of all kinds, come of it is blocked, but right now, all but our spruce trees are pretty bare.

Like you say, get away from the news and find something, anything you enjoy. It sure makes my days much more pleasant. But dang it, I sure miss my ice skating.

hckynut(john)

Hello john!

In reading your your last two posts, I am struck at how similar we are.

I am very in to physical fitness and nature, as well as have the same clinical diagnosis for many years,

Jogging, walking in woods, jumping rope, rebounding....they all help to

increase endorphins. I listen to Prime music during the high intensity stuff, but enjoy the sounds of nature when I walk in park/woods.

Have you noticed that you are actually feeling a bit LESS DEPRESSED

lately? I seem to feel a bit *lighter*, which contradicts what’s happening

“situationally”.

I guess that’s because the *black hole* is WITHIN oneself and not due to outside circumstances.

My best to you and yours.....stay healthy!