Good morning! Ready to chill? I invite you to slide on some smooth jazz. Go ahead – it’s smooth as butter (my wife says smooth as the elevator).I don’t know if it’s COVID, election season, no hugs, less outdoor time or what – but my people are anxious. It’s not just you. It’s not just me.It’s rampant.Just like wwad has been designed to tackle the challenges of the day; here’s our simple effort at taking that anxiety elevator down a couple floors.Simple as in, let’s not worry about the mechanism of action or the physiology behind it.Let’s just be.
- Take a walk/run/bike – I know. But, this is the easiest. Many people are still inside and blaming it on COVID. Outside, 6 feet (or more), and masks = safe and an anxiety destroyer.
- Turn off the news. It’s too much. I told Krissy to let me know when it’s time for the vaccine. Other than that, I’m putting the news in ‘Time Out’. No mas.
- Election fears are hitting a lot of my loved ones hard. Do something constructive if you have angst. Vote early. Work at polls. Put a sign up. Canvas for your candidate. This helps.
- Sleep 7-9 hours/night. If this is not happening for you, maybe this is where you should start. This is critical.
- Get away, even for just a night. My wife and I just spent a night on a hippie bus in a goat field. It works (getting away) and yes, it’s safe. As long as you don’t let the goats on the bus.
- Journal – I use Penzu.com. There are a lot of free options. Or, just pen to paper.
- Meditation – even if it’s just paying attention to your breathing. It works.
- Start being more social if you feel that is what you’re missing. There is plenty of space between here and COVID. Other people are craving it too. They’ll be thrilled you reached out.
- Nature – again, not getting into the science this am. It works. Please go outside.
- If none of this works, about 1 in 6 US adults reported taking antidepressants or other psychiatric meds in 2013. That was 2013 when one of our biggest concerns was Miley Cyrus ‘twerking’. If the 9 above suggestions aren’t working and you just can’t get past the events of 2020? Consider talking to your doc about whether not you should consider one of these effective medicines to help. It’s just a conversation. It’s not just you.
It’s going to get better, but I think you can take the sting out of it now. Anxiety is nasty. We want you well.david