Rate your current mental health level out of 10

[troutman]

Originally Posted by habernac

Went to a funeral there last year. The lady at the Legion let us stay ridiculously late after the Rum Runner closed.

My pal Angie!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by habernac

Went to a funeral there last year. The lady at the Legion let us stay ridiculously late after the Rum Runner closed.

Originally Posted by troutman

My pal Angie!

But Angie, Angie
Ain't it time we said goodbye? Yeah

[direwolf]

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it relates to the current political situation. But how are you guys doing health-wise in relation to the current state of the world and Trump's threats to annex us, etc..? After tonight I'd probably rate my current mental health at a 4 or 5 at best.

I unfortunately went down a rabbit hole earlier tonight after reading a frightening post on Substack written by a former U.S. Navy vet laying out a hypothetical scenario of a U.S. military invasion of Canada, and how it would destroy both countries. Honestly, it absolutely terrified me and I had a bit of a panic attack as a result. I was shaking and I had to slow down my breathing and went outside for a short walk in the rain to calm down.

I'm feeling ok now, but I haven't experienced that kind of dread in a long time. Every day since the trade war started and the disastrous Zelensky ambush at the WH, I've had an uneasy feeling and this constant need to keep checking my phone and reading the latest piece of horrifying news coming out of the U.S. or Urkaine. Last weekend I turned off the news completely on Saturday and just spent the day doing things I like: listening to music, watching movies, and spending a bit of time with family. I felt so much better over the last few days, but tonight I totally lost it after reading that f***ing article.

Anyone have any advice other than what I've already tried? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it relates to the current political situation. But how are you guys doing health-wise in relation to the current state of the world and Trump's threats to annex us, etc..? After tonight I'd probably rate my current mental health at a 4 or 5 at best.

I’m doing very well right now even among the uncertainties. My focus has been on my physical health / diet and my family and that’s how I get through it.

My thoughts are that even though I have 0 desire to be American, I will do whatever it takes for my family’s best interests. So whatever happens will happen. I also stay away from most of Reddit and other news sources except exclusively for information I seek out. By being conscious of what info you take in, you’re in better control of your mental state. If I read reddits popular page it would be nothing but tariffs, Elon Musk, and US domestic policies, all of which are very unlikely to affect me or my family.

I feel terrible for those who will be affected by it, but I have to keep on keeping on and support Canadian business as much as I can.

TLDR: Reassess your values / priorities, read about topics you actively seek info on, avoid doomscrolling, do stuff you enjoy!

[photon]

Yeah it's definitely having an impact, it's hard to avoid since my parents are like "I don't understand why anyone hates Trump he's just trying to reduce the drugs coming from Canada oh I don't believe Trump's govt when they say there was almost zero drugs from Canada" and other people in my life who aren't usually political are talking about it.

But yeah I try to distract myself doing stuff I like and keep reminding myself that if I can't control it myself then it's like a bad snowstorm or a global pandemic.. something to weather, trying to get more and more info sometimes gives the illusion of control which makes it harder to cope.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it relates to the current political situation. But how are you guys doing health-wise in relation to the current state of the world and Trump's threats to annex us, etc..? After tonight I'd probably rate my current mental health at a 4 or 5 at best.

It's really hard to be in the US. I split my time between Scottsdale and Seattle and the contrast is quite jarring. I am nowhere near conservative enough for Arizona and nowhere near progressive enough for Seattle. Oddly, if you go 10 miles in any direction from Seattle proper it's hardcore Republican.

ICE arresting permanent residents on Green Cards (same status as I have) is only slightly terrifying. I am eligible to apply for citizenship on July 1, 2026 and will be doing so.

Add in some family drama and things get rough really quick. I am thankful for a very supportive spouse and my job is going quite well at the moment so that is helping to keep my chin up.

[CroFlames]

The political situation itself is stressing me out, but it's also directly affecting my business and my work - adding more stress. I doomscroll - I know I shouldn't, but it's hard not to. I have family and friends that support Trump's ideas and I can't help taking it personally.

From 5PM to bedtime, I focus all my energy on my kids and they allow me to forget things for a while. Pro sports is also a great escape.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it relates to the current political situation. But how are you guys doing health-wise in relation to the current state of the world and Trump's threats to annex us, etc..? After tonight I'd probably rate my current mental health at a 4 or 5 at best.

I unfortunately went down a rabbit hole earlier tonight after reading a frightening post on Substack written by a former U.S. Navy vet laying out a hypothetical scenario of a U.S. military invasion of Canada, and how it would destroy both countries. Honestly, it absolutely terrified me and I had a bit of a panic attack as a result. I was shaking and I had to slow down my breathing and went outside for a short walk in the rain to calm down.

I'm feeling ok now, but I haven't experienced that kind of dread in a long time. Every day since the trade war started and the disastrous Zelensky ambush at the WH, I've had an uneasy feeling and this constant need to keep checking my phone and reading the latest piece of horrifying news coming out of the U.S. or Urkaine. Last weekend I turned off the news completely on Saturday and just spent the day doing things I like: listening to music, watching movies, and spending a bit of time with family. I felt so much better over the last few days, but tonight I totally lost it after reading that f***ing article.

Anyone have any advice other than what I've already tried? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Standard preface... mileage varies... this is only what I do... etc.

At some point I think we have to acknowledge the super-human task of ignoring some of this in a hyper-connected world. We're all trying to diet in a donut factory. None of us has the required will power to fully avoid this stuff, so in my opinion it has to be an environmental shift. No phone in bedroom, buy a lockbox for it off amazon, whatever you need. Shifting environment is at least possible, relying on willpower alone is probably not.

Atomic Habits (great book if you're interested) introduced a concept I really like which is letting the score take care of itself. Rather than worrying about getting the win (a huge, complicated outcome), you worry about increasing foot speed by 5% (easier, within your control). Focusing on the smaller task contributes to the ultimate goal down the line.

Applied to this problem, I'd say letting the score take care of itself is reading to your kids, going for a nightly walk, or eating vegetables. Each seemingly inconsequential, but also a domino in the right direction. Actions like that create bandwidth that allows you to say "not today, Satan."

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it relates to the current political situation. But how are you guys doing health-wise in relation to the current state of the world and Trump's threats to annex us, etc..? After tonight I'd probably rate my current mental health at a 4 or 5 at best.

I unfortunately went down a rabbit hole earlier tonight after reading a frightening post on Substack written by a former U.S. Navy vet laying out a hypothetical scenario of a U.S. military invasion of Canada, and how it would destroy both countries. Honestly, it absolutely terrified me and I had a bit of a panic attack as a result. I was shaking and I had to slow down my breathing and went outside for a short walk in the rain to calm down.

I'm feeling ok now, but I haven't experienced that kind of dread in a long time. Every day since the trade war started and the disastrous Zelensky ambush at the WH, I've had an uneasy feeling and this constant need to keep checking my phone and reading the latest piece of horrifying news coming out of the U.S. or Urkaine. Last weekend I turned off the news completely on Saturday and just spent the day doing things I like: listening to music, watching movies, and spending a bit of time with family. I felt so much better over the last few days, but tonight I totally lost it after reading that f***ing article.

Anyone have any advice other than what I've already tried? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Do you chat with people about topics that are difficult for you/stress you out? Not like in a debating manner or how to doom prep, more like a "explain it to me like I'm 5" scenario?

I've started chatting with my kids about topics that stress me out and explaining to them why they stress me out. For me, it helps. Sometimes, the more I dumb it down for them, I realize how complicated I'm making it in my own head and I can relax on the topic a little bit. I find it helps give me some perspective about when to be aware and when to be afraid.

I told my kid I was worried about the results of a medical test once. They ran off and returned with stickers and candy to make me feel better (because that's what we do for them). It made me laugh.

[Locke]

A world where stickers and candy can't solve all problems is a world not worth living in.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Probably sounds extreme… but I have a very anxious brain and I do better by being over prepared for things so I can stop thinking about them. I’ve basically gone through the shock and acceptance and all the associated emotions that the worst of these insane threats are going to happen. I’m not paranoid or locking myself in the basement or anything, and I’m dialing back my news intake. But, I know what I’ll do, and I know where to send my wife and kid. Had a 2 minute talk with my wife about it and said “I can’t NOT prepare in some way based on what’s being said”. My grand father is my hero and served in the SAS so there’s no way I’m rolling away in a station wagon (that part I keep to myself, no need saying it outloud to anyone).

Living each day the best I can, I’ve really shortened my future view to like… weeks at a time. Spending even more time with my kid. No matter which way things go now, I’m actually in a better place right now.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Do you chat with people about topics that are difficult for you/stress you out? Not like in a debating manner or how to doom prep, more like a "explain it to me like I'm 5" scenario?

I've started chatting with my kids about topics that stress me out and explaining to them why they stress me out. For me, it helps. Sometimes, the more I dumb it down for them, I realize how complicated I'm making it in my own head and I can relax on the topic a little bit. I find it helps give me some perspective about when to be aware and when to be afraid.

I told my kid I was worried about the results of a medical test once. They ran off and returned with stickers and candy to make me feel better (because that's what we do for them). It made me laugh.

I love this. I do the same. My parents still to this day don’t share emotions with me, and all it has ever done is cause me pain and confusion. I have conversations about my feelings with my 3year old all the time. It actually works, I think. She’s already taking care of me. At the least, she’ll always know I’m transparent with her.

[troutman]

I think it helps to get involved. Become an activist. Every little bit helps you and the community.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think it helps to get involved. Become an activist. Every little bit helps you and the community.

I'm not going to say 'be an activist' but I do like the idea of getting involved, especially in the community.

When I was low...I Volunteered.

I was a Boy Scout leader, a Soccer Coach, I worked at the Food Bank, Inn from the Cold making beds...just get out there and help others...it'll help you too.

I once did an entire weekend coaching a soccer tournament with teams cobbled together of immigrants, refugees and under-privileged/at-risk youth and I'll never forget it! Those kids were just so HAPPY that someone gave half a crap about them, even if it was a stranger and only for a weekend.

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding.

My mother instilled the spirit of volunteering in us from a young age. She's been a Girl Guide leader for like 40 years amongst a whole host of other things, 1988 Olympics, City Hall Tour guide, airport white hatter, I cant even remember them all.

Volunteering is good for the soul.

Besides, it puts your mind into a different perspective.

[undercoverbrother]

I'm pretty good right now.

[Dion]

With the longer days and warmer temps, my winter blues and the anxiety that came with it is now gone. Time to put my therapy light into storage for next winter and get the golf clubs cleaned for the upcoming season.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think it helps to get involved. Become an activist. Every little bit helps you and the community.

I used to volunteer with Foothills Special Olympics for over 10 years. Such a rewarding experience that puts your own life struggles into perspective.

I was also a volunteer in care facilities leading up the Covid. Too many seniors are abandoned by their families and left alone. They need volunteers to visit with them.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Russic

At some point I think we have to acknowledge the super-human task of ignoring some of this in a hyper-connected world. We're all trying to diet in a donut factory. None of us has the required will power to fully avoid this stuff, so in my opinion it has to be an environmental shift.

We need to recognize that the people crafting our news content have one aim, and that’s to grab and keep engagement. By far the most effective way to accomplish that is to foster anxiety and outrage. That task is made easy by our communications platforms - the most sophisticated engagement tools ever devised, with tens of billions of dollars and some of the smartest minds in the world behind them. It shouldn’t surprise us that most of the tech overlords who created these tools do not let their children use them.

I’m a former journalist, and I’ve steered my teenaged kids away from following the news. This would have astonished my 30 year old self. But I genuinely believe that until they’re adults, at least, they’ll have a more accurate picture of the reality if it’s based on what they see around them. The benefits of having a more expansive outlook isn’t enough to justify the fevered, unrelenting, anxiety-inducing distortions of our media environment.

If you really do feel you need to keep engaged with current affairs, choose one or two sober, trustworthy sources of news (I like About That on CBC), and limit yourself to accessing them a few times a week. Our parents and grandparents managed to be well-informed citizens by watching the nightly news for 20 minutes a few times a week and maybe flipping through a broadsheet newspaper for 5 mins a day if they were a real keener. There’s nothing so urgent happening that we need updates many times a day.

We should also keep in mind that most people don’t have much trouble disengaging from the news. Only around 30 per cent of people follow current affairs closely. People who are temperamentally anxious are more susceptible to doomscrolling. That means managing media consumption needs to be part of a broader strategy of managing anxiety.

[Locke]

Oh. And it should be mentioned, my mom is a Girl Guide leader.

So if you come and get your taxes done here, I have Girl Guide Cookies here for sale.

[flamesfever]

A great discussion and a lot of great ideas. I have faced many very stressful situations in my life and found that it's helpful to build up enough positive thoughts to fend off the negatives that try to dominate. I also find it helpful to realize that something good usually emerges from bad experiences.

In reference to volunteering initiatives, we have recently instituted a weekly coffee gathering within our community that has proven to be highly successful. As technology continues to distance individuals from one another, fostering a sense of connectedness has never been more crucial.