About the title: Worry worms is too apt an alliteration not to have been used before this. It is the title of at least two books, Wiley The Worried Worm: A Book About Anxiety and The Worry Worm. A Utah play therapy website writes about the worry worms.
There are obviously various ways to take a break from the news and relieve your stress no matter the cause.
I probably could find research to support that certain types of non-worrying and non-problem solving behavior activate different types of the brain. It seems like common sense to me. Thus I think finding a variety of different things to do to relieve stress would be the most beneficial. I like to alternate between watching serious movies and TV shows and light comedies, but there are other things I do.
I like working on the little flower garden I made next to my house (photos1) (photo 2). I also got into some crafts. Here’s the first crafty thing I did starting with painting a get help device residents wear on our wrists in the senior community where I live.
Since I already had the little bottles of paint and some brushes I looked around to see if there was anything else I could paint.
I painted the wooden bird which I have attached to the top of a figure on my patio.
Finally I painted the turtle you see below. The original paint had faded so I decided to refresh it with bright colors. It sits next to my pot smoking monkey.
You’re a Daily Kos reader. There’s a good chance that you also watch a lot of MSNBC. It seems to me that it is more likely than not that you are following politics closely, or for some people compulsively. You are probably at least worried about the future of our democracy and at worst beset with anxiety over the chance that the GOP will take over both the House and Senate in the next election.
Self-care was crucial during the Trump years because we felt helpless in trying to fight against his assault on democracy. It is still vitally important especially so because we can’t rest easy about the political future.
Whether it is art and crafts, exercise, meditation, yoga, music, exercise, sex, interacting with people or pets, or any other activity which doesn’t use the part of your brain which is active when you worry about something there is ample research* to support the recommendation that it is beneficial to both your mental and physical health to find time each day to do something that doesn’t feed the worry worms in your mind.
Please share what you do to relieve stress in the comments.
…..
There are many lists of ways to relieve stress on websites. Here are a few:
16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Quick stress relief help guide
Effective stress relief from VeryWell Mind
….
Addendum: If you’re so inclined and fully vaccinated I suggest browsing excursions at stores. Check out Michael’s or JoAnn’s (avoid Hobby Lobby for obvious reasons) either to replenish craft supplies or see if a new hobby piques your interest. You may want to see if Lowes, Home Depot, or a local hardware store has a new “must have” gadget or tool. During the pandemic there were articles recommending video games for adults. If you never got into them you might try them now. See “The Best Video Games for People Who Don’t (Normally) Play Video Games.”
* Footnote: A review of the effectiveness of stress management skills training on academic vitality and psychological well-being of college students
