Staying Sane in Shutdown City

Thank the universe that I have health care.

Because I don't know how I would have made it through the past few weeks without my meds and my therapist. Without insurance, a single month of my mental medical care would be between $600-$1200.

No pun intended, but that is insane.

If you don't yet have insurance and you need it, please visit https://www.healthcare.gov/ . Don't believe the hype. The site won't turn you into a Nazi, and it won't destroy our constitution. It may, however, provide you with financial support that could give you the resources you need to prevent you from harming yourself or others. I, personally, think that is a good thing -- and not something over which one should shut down the government.

But that is what's happening. And I am going to try to not get political here, and focus on my main message of health and sanity, but it hasn't been the easiest week in DC to do this. Many of my friends are out of work.Yesterday a woman drove her car into the White House and was shot and killed by Capitol Police after a high speed chase. Today they found "discharge papers from a 2012 mental health evaluation that listed prescriptions to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders" in her home. This afternoon reports of a man who lite himself on fire on the National Mall.

And let's not that forget that here in Shutdown City we are all still recovering from the Navy Yard shooting. It is starting to feel like everything is, well, going to hell.

So how does one stay sane in Shutdown City? Well here are some things I am doing - in no particular order - that are helping me. Try some of them. Let me know how it works out:

  1. Sign up for a race and go do it. Doesn't matter how far or how long. Just do it. Spending money on the registration will force you to get out of your house and go. Find a cheap race. There are still some. I am doing this one tomorrow and this one on Sunday.
  2. Go for a walk with your dog. If you don't have a dog, walk without one or borrow one. Dogs are amazing.
  3. Watch Stephen Colbert.
  4. Eat some coconut milk ice cream. Even if you don't need the calories, are trying to lose weight for future marathon training and have terrible weight gain side effects from your anti-mania medication. Eat some. It won't kill you.
  5. Reach out to friends. Text and facebook are okay, but go try and see them. Maybe invite them to participate in items 1-4.
  6. Swim.
  7. Unplug. Turn off the news, twitter and facebook for a while.
  8. Avoid the alcohol.
  9. Talk to friends. Not just text. But talk to them.
  10. Make a donation or two to your local food bank.
  11. Did I mention spend time with dogs?
  12. Read books. Good books.
  13. Don't try to date -- everyone will just look bad. Or good. And neither situation is a good one for dating.
  14. Don't forget to take your meds.
And if you don't live in DC, and you aren't yet feeling the impact of all this, please don't wait for it to hit you personally. Call your Congressperson (did I mention we don't have one???) and give them a piece of your mind.







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