31 non–self-destructive ideas to deal with stress and anxious feelings

APROPOS OF ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, JUST A TOTALLY RANDOM THOUGHT

It’s a pug in a blanket, and it represents perfectly how I feel rn

Are you freaking out? I’m freaking out. The next week is going to be really, really high stress for many people in this country — and who tf even knows what happens after that.

I know the last thing you might be able to muster the energy to do right now is to tear yourself away from the phone or TV to exercise, and I get it. But… if you can possibly try, it is such a good idea. Even a 10-minute walk can help with anxiety. Maybe you get started and realize it might feel good to do even more? Who knows!

I do hope you walk or bike or drive or make your way in any safe manner to the polls, though. There is too much at stake in this election to stay out of it, even if — like me! — you are terrified and disgusted by one candidate and very disappointed in and bummed out by the other. My lovely friend and former colleague

Catherine Newman

put it perfectly earlier this week in a post on her excellent Substack Crone Sandwich:

I’m just going to get over myself here and make a post, even though I’ve been a little paralyzed with feeling like I should say something about the election and also like I don’t really want to. I voted for Kamala Harris today because I feel like fewer people will suffer and die than they would under Trump. It’s pretty much that simple.* Please consider voting for her even if you want to fight her as soon as she’s elected. I’m with you. But right now it’s her or Trump, and if the full-on overt racism at his rally last night didn’t terrify you, I am not sure why you’re here!

*Not actually that simple. #freepalestine

More here:

Three Things

In any case, my own favorite way to exercise when I’m stressed out is pretty boring and generic — it’s literally just doing anything physical that aligns with my energy level and the amount of time I have. So I asked around for other ideas and got some great ones! Sharing them below just in case you find any of them helpful.

Walking! It clears my mind and relaxes me when I don’t want to “think.” I also luckily live in a walkable city so it makes it easy for me to do this. —

Shana Minei Spence

Walking does the trick for me. Usually when I’m mentally and/or emotionally taxed, I need a physical activity that doesn’t add to my stress. I tend to already be fatigued, so I need to do something to match where I’m at. Even running, which I enjoy, can feel more difficult when I’m already at a certain level of stressed. It’s like everything compounds! —

Katy Kuhr

Cycling or barre - anytime I have to do something hard, it makes me think less about whatever is stressing me out. —@HappierMama

Hiking: out in nature, plus you really have to pay attention to the terrain. I find it really meditative and can’t think about dumb things when I’m out there walking on slippery rocks. —

Cheryl Wischhover

I do a lot of different forms of dance/expressive movement, but the very ritualized form of a 90-minute ballet class is very good for settling my anxious mind. —

Martha Bayne

Tennis. For me, its both physical and mental so my body and my brain totally shift gears and turn off any anxiety. I do not get this with running or weight lifting. It also builds resilience overcoming a tough opponent so that can also boost my confidence in all areas of life. —

Kerry On

Any type of class. Lately it's Pilates. I have to listen to someone and focus on my body so that don't end up tangled in the reformer. For 55 minutes I'm not thinking about whatever is stressing me. Solo exercises like swimming or walking help me pick through a problem, but classes give me an escape by directing my focus. —

Graeme Seabrook

Walking! When I’m stressed, the idea of having to go somewhere to work out only adds to it. By the time I’m done my walk I feel better and may even actually decide to go do a work out. —

Leila Anzabi

Running hard and fast. Sprints or a quick mile (nothing longer). I think it's most effective, because I don't have to think about my form the way I do with lifting. I can just push myself as hard as possible and stop when I'm done. —

Meredith Sell

BIKING. —Francesca

Swimming. —Doris

I lift a heavy weight while balancing on one leg. Stress leaves with the sweat. —Tish

Indoor cycling and vigorous walking, because I don’t focus on my brain. —Noël

Hiking trails. —Hilary

Plié squat pulses with eyes closed! Repetitive motion is soothing. My pelvic floor (where I hold tension) feels free/relaxed. —Mary Hannah

Stretching on the climbing wall! I pick an easy route and climb it slowly, doing lots of breath stuff. —Andrea

Swimming in freshwater ponds or lakes. Water in general makes me feel so calm. —Liza

Morning walks before everyone in my house is awake! —Sophie

Dancing with my kids! Also playing on the playground. I can’t be stressed going down a slide. —Lindsay

Child’s pose with reverse prayer hands, and a walk. —Julianne

Swimming on my back. I was in the pool just today and named it “relaxercise.” —Melvin

Yoga. Movement helps me be present and more inwardly focused. —Mike

Lifting HEAVY weights!!! It gets me completely out of my brain loops. I concentrate on my body only (in a good way). —Katie

Walking. —Allie

A 5-minute EMOM or AMRAP of kettlebell swings. I think it gets out the stress adrenaline (v scientific). —Sofia

Biking by the sea! —Lindsey

Walking or stretching. They’re a gentle, non-aggressive way to move, but also so beneficial. —Caitlin

Walking in the woods. —Bee

Hip openers — yoga or therapy balls! —

Andrea Bartz

Stretching mindfully. —Rita

Dancing! —Eran

Hang in there, friends. See you on Sunday for one last pre-election workout. Find a few others below if you just want someone else to tell you what to do:

The workout where we get really cozy with lunges (it's fun, I swear!)

The workout where we grapple with what "counts" as strength training

The workout where we let our bellies be as big and round as they want to be

xo
Anna