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Worry Day Off
So many people are in a heightened state of anxiety right now. My back has been tweaked for weeks, and I’m totally blaming it on #election2016. As some readers might know, I try to take a 24-hour break from worrying each week beginning on Friday evenings. It’s a mind jujitsu and requires practice, but I’ve been doing this for years, and have gotten the hang of it. Today, for the first time, I implemented this practice on a Monday. That’s how much I needed it. How are you coping?
Illustration by Lee Crutchley
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Wendy, I do the same thing once a week, almost always on Sunday. It took a little while to establish the habit, but I crave that 24 hour period now. The more my work ramps up and my general anxiety increases, the more I need that time of rest. So this Sunday I had brunch with some friends and their darling toddler, went for a long walk in beautiful brisk weather, took a bath, and cuddled with the cat on the sofa watching Jane Austen movies. It was a perfect break, and I’ve felt a little more ready to face this week.
I think ritualizing the day really helps. Almost like a muscle memory.
Wendy, could you share your “worry free” method? I’ve been staying away from social media (no Facebook for 6 weeks now!) and most news media, but I need to do more.
I’ve been having little or no success in staying off of social media these last few weeks. But starting every Friday night, when I find my brain going into instinctive worry, I remind myself. Not today. We can revisit that tomorrow. And once I’ve brought it to my consciousness, I’ve gotten pretty good at switching off the anxiety for 24 hours. In my case, I’ ve got thousands of years of Jewish ritual (honoring Shabbat) by my side, so that helps too.