According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word sanctuary means . . . a place for refuge and protection. It is my intention to provide a sanctuary for all of us . . . here . . . each Friday.

Last December, when I was writing my daily Cup o’ Kindness posts, I explained that one of my mantras for the year was . . . Protect Your Peace. And, oh my friends . . . I have been trying to do that. Failing often, I’m afraid. But still trying. (It’s been so much harder than I thought it would be, y’know?)

Anyway.

I’m still here. Still trying. And I’ve decided to build this little . . . sanctuary . . . as a way to preserve my peace. And maybe to preserve your peace, too. On Fridays, I’ll provide you with a break from the bad news. Maybe I’ll give you something to make you smile. Maybe I’ll offer an interesting diversion. Or even some useful tidbit of information. Who knows. But I’ll definitely offer you . . . sanctuary.

So. What have I got for you this week?
Three things. Two might be useful, and one is pure distraction. I’ll begin with the things that might be useful, and finish with the distraction.

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Four Movements to Release Political Stress and Anxiety

If you’ve been here for long, you probably know that I believe (strongly) that movement is good for the soul. (And the body, of course.) And research shows that movement can help relieve stress. So I took note several weeks ago when the Instagram algorithm showed me this little clip from a guy named Jonathan Mead demonstrating 4 moves to release political stress and anxiety. I found them to be surprisingly helpful . . . and you don’t have to do all four. Pick one and give it a try. I especially like the first one and the fourth one, but I regularly do all four when I’m feeling the tension rise.

  1. Somatic shake (to release tension and stress)
  2. Cushion slams (to process anger and rage)
  3. Swaying (to orient your body in space and help you feel safe)
  4. Standing star (to remind you to focus on your power and what you can control)

Watch this little Instagram clip from Jonathan Mead to learn four simple movements you can do to help you release stress and anxiety:

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Sleeping (a little bit) Better

Back in February, I was having some serious sleeping problems. You may remember that I wrote a blog post asking for sleep advice and suggestions — and WOW! Did y’all deliver! (You can read my post here. Be sure to check out the comments for some really great sleep suggestions.) One of you (thanks, Irene!) mentioned something called . . . cognitive shuffling . . . a technique I’d never heard of before. A quick bit of time on Google helped me get up to speed quickly, and I found that cognitive shuffling worked really well for me. It’s kind of like counting sheep – only a bit more entertaining and much more effective (for me, at least). What I like about it is  . . . it doesn’t require an app or headphones, it’s simple to do, and it seems just enough (for me) to break the thought patterns that keep me awake.

Then, last month, I noticed an article in the New York Times . . . all about cognitive shuffling! (That’s a gift link, so you should be able to access the article, too.) If you’re having a tough time sleeping, maybe give it a try? Maybe it will work for you, too.

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Something to Watch on Netflix: The Residence

Tom and I recently watched The Residence, a new series on Netflix. It’s a quirky mystery set in the White House with great characters (especially the main character, played by Uzo Aduba), a silly plot, clever writing, and . . . birdwatching. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side – but with enough intrigue to keep you guessing – give it a try! (I’ve got to warn you, though . . . I had to put down my knitting while watching because the show is quick-moving and you won’t want to miss a thing.)

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And that’s it for this week. I hope you found some sanctuary here today.
At least for a few minutes.

Now . . . enjoy your weekend.
And remember to breathe.