Tips and tricks on surviving stressful times.

[sasha_feather]

Going to hang out here and Tumblr since these are places I can keep relatively doom-free.

I have been dealing with intense stress for years now, but particularly in the last 5 months, and I have skills I've honed over that time.

I concentrate on things that fill the metaphorical pitcher. They feel good, are satisfying, are calming. These include taking photos, working on jigsaw puzzles, petting animals, caring for plants, collecting rocks and pebbles, and cleaning / de-cluttering. It also helps to connect with friends, sending photos or emojis, just some little "hi" like that, or longer interactions if possible. Anything creative, if I have the energy and can tame the anxiety: making things is one of the more satisfying experiences in life.

Where I can, I contribute to my volunteer organization, LGBT Books to Prisoners. I am not able to do much these days but I did sit on the meeting and boss people around a little bit. Doing small things to improve the situation for folks. Caretaking, service.

I pay attention to sensory joy, a term I learned from autistic bloggers. I wear clothes that are soft and comfortable. I have soft blankets and a teddy bear on my bed. Strings of "fairy lights" (not Christmas themed but what I called Christmas lights growing up). Diet Mountain Dew, I realized, is a sensory joy for me and why I drink it so much. Music is a big one. Jewelry. Beautiful artwork. Pay attention when something feels good, note it, and try to increase that feeling in your life.

I'm investing in my space to try to make it as pleasing as possible, and shout-out here to the maid service we have cleaning the house. It's been SO nice. Incredibly worthy investment, which I think notions of class and pride interfere with for many of us. For me it's about disability. Every time they come I think "there's no such thing as unskilled labor" because they are so quick and professional.

Something my friend said else-net was along the lines of "people don't want me to feel this bad." I had this thought a couple of months ago, too: If people knew how I was suffering, they would help if they could, and that motivated me to ask for help, and keep asking. I am still practicing asking for help, and contending with confusing feelings around that.

Shout-out to legal marijuana in Minnesota. I wish this for everyone who desires it. Regular use of edibles has saved me. It temporarily relieves some of my pain and anxiety, and the only side effect is some dehydration. I am overly careful with it due to my anxious nature.

Boundaries, they can be tough but are so important. Sometimes (often) I don't answer my phone. It's gonna irritate and baffle some people but that is their problem because it helps keep me sane. At the end of the day I am accountable only to myself.

Journaling has helped me in the past, and so I will try to continue with it as a practice.

Comments

[runpunkrun]

Thanks for sharing this. If you're able, do you have any advice on how to choose edibles to relieve pain and anxiety?

[sasha_feather]

I just buy whatever is available! The people at the store are happy to recommend things. I'm not knowledgeable on the kinds at all. Maybe others will weigh in here.

[runpunkrun]

That's encouraging at least! I've been reluctant to give it a try because I don't want to get the wrong kind. I had some CBD gummies I was taking but stopped because they were making me feel worse.

[lassarina]

I only tried edibles once or twice before I switched to a different pharmaceutical that it doesn't play well with, but although I can never remember which is which, indica and sativa variants have somewhat different effects that my therapist described as "mind high" vs "body high," and for my purposes (migraines and anxiety) the "body high" one was better. I don't know if that will help you, but when I went to purchase, the clerk I talked to knew exactly what was up and pointed me at something easily.

[runpunkrun]

Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like "body high" is what I'm after as well.

[bibliofile]

In case you don't already know about this tool: Lotsa Helping Hands, an online tool for coordinating meals and help.

https://lotsahelpinghands.com/

There are other tools now, but this is the one I've known about the longest.

(Yay boundaries. My apologies for breaking this one, this once. Won't happen again.)

You've grown wise

[jesse_the_k]

...in the ways of caring for yourself! Thanks for sharing.

[oracne]

This is an excellent list.

[lassarina]

These are all solid suggestions. Thank you for sharing them.

[brainwane]

Really appreciated being reminded about sensory joy! Thanks.