Thoughts and Advice

Us sentient humans who are paying attention to what's happening in the world around us are STRESSED right now. We're near the limit of our ability to withstand the insanity and pressure. Amirite or amirite? You know I am. The storm's only gonna get more intense so we all need to find ways to lower our tension levels so's we can continue to fight and make it to the other side.

How? A few ideas.

Somatic Exercises
'the fuck is that? Slow movements focusing on bodily sensations to release tension, improve awareness, and connect mind and body. Examples include yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, gentle stretching, and conscious breathing.

Check out the Somatic Self Care page at Johns Hopkins Medicine. There are Somatic shorts, which are five minute sessions, as well as full practice sessions which are ~15 minutes per exercise.

Water
For some of us (*cough* ME!) water is healing and calming. Swim in it – do laps at the Y or just float in a corner of the pool. Walk along the seawall, stroll down the riverwalk, follow the path by the stream. Listen to the waves lap the shore. 

Tetris                                                                               
I’ve seen a lot of people recommending Tetris as a stress reliever. It’s apparently a video game.

…differently shaped blocks drop at varying speeds, and, as the blocks descend, the player must rotate and arrange them to create an uninterrupted horizontal row on the screen. When the player forms one or more solid rows, the completed rows disappear. The goal of the game is to prevent the blocks from stacking up to the top of the screen for as long as possible. (source) 

I’m not a video game person but, hey, do what distracts and chills you out.

Bird Feeders
You don’t need to be Christian Cooper  to enjoy watching our modern-day dino friends. Just set up a bird feeder, stock it and try to keep the squirrels at bay.

Smoke a bone.

Keep a diary where you’re as silly, as angry, as childish, as condescending as you wanna be. Doodle dicks and boobs and cats faces. No one’s gonna see it but you. Indulge yourself. Get out your frustrations and anger. Be as immature as you wanna be. If you think it'll be incriminating, burn or bury it when you're done.

Cry, grieve, and get back up again. 

See a therapist. 
Not all of them are wicked expensive. Some, like lawyers, have sliding scale fees. Don’t want to ask your friends or your PCP for help in finding a therapist? Don’t know where to start? Maybe try Betterhelp.com.

Take a long, hot, steamy bath bubble bath. 
Keep adding in more hot water. Don’t get out until you’re completely raisined. If you have hearing, put soothing music on—Eno’s Another Green World, David Byrne’s The Forest, Ravel’s Bolero, Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Go full metal Enya.
~~~
I found some great info on dealing with tear gas from Stephanie Snow, a nurse practitioner posting on Threads:

1) Get out of the area 
• Move upwind if possible
• Get to open air, higher ground 
Avoid the canisters and enclosed space

2) Don’t touch your face 
• Rubbing spreads the irritant 
• Makes eye and skin symptoms worse

3) Flush your eyes ASAP 
• Use copious amounts of cool water or saline 
• Blink repeatedly while flushing 
• Continue for 15–20 minutes 
Use more water than you think you need. The goal is dilution.

4) Breathe slow and stay upright 
• Lean slightly forward 
• Slow, controlled breath

5) Contacts out 
• Remove immediately 
• Do not reuse

6) Skip the “fixes” 
❌ Milk 
❌ Oils 
❌ Vinegar 
❌ Baby wipes 
❌ Soap in the eyes
There is no magic solution. Time + flushing works. 

7) Get medical help NOW if: 
• Wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing 
• History of asthma, COPD, or heart disease 
• Severe eye pain or vision changes 
• Symptoms worsen after leaving the area

8) After you’re safe: 
• Remove outer clothing if possible 
• Shower with mild soap 
• Let water run over you, don’t scrub 
• Wash clothes separately

9) If you’re asthmatic, a well-fitted respirator or gas mask can significantly reduce lung irritation but make sure it’s something you can breathe through comfortably. Pair it with eye protection and always have your inhaler handy. 

10) Treat tear gas like a chemical exposure, not a minor inconvenience. Save this info so you don’t have to remember it when you're exhausted, in pain, and covered in gross gunk.

Be prepared. Take care of yourselves. We're in for nasty weather.