BY MEGAN SILVESTRI
Are you feeling anxious, scared or overwhelmed this election week? Us too. Throughout the country, individuals across the political spectrum have expressed a shared sentiment of dread around elections this year. While these feelings may linger even after the results are revealed, a firm self-care strategy can help. Our Stability Leaders have shared their strategies to safeguard their mental health this week. Here are some highlights.
Practicing gratitude
Expressing thankfulness for the goodness in life has not only been shown to boost psychological health, but physical health as well. When gratitude is expressed – through prayer, meditation or affirming words to loved ones – our frame on life and the world around us is colored with optimism. This practice often fosters a feeling of connectedness to something beyond ourselves and enhances hopefulness.
- “I think about political events and movements which have made me happy in the past. This helps me relax and feel more hopeful.”
- “Naming the things that I’m grateful for helps me—my daughter is happy in her new school and I have wonderful places to take a walk right outside my door.”
- “I practice meditation in the morning and gratitude before bed.”
- “I tend to use daily prayer and keeping that in place this week is rewarding.”
Setting healthy boundaries
It can be easy to go about the day without recognizing how each of our actions and interactions impact our mood. Living in our current information age, we are constantly being bombarded with political news, messages and alerts, whether we search for them or not. Heading into this week, many Stability Leaders have expressed the need to set boundaries for themselves around the information they consume, the conversations they engage in and the habits they practice.
- “I think it is super important to turn off the media on election day (Facebook, Twitter, local and national news, etc.). If you want to check, set time limits and time frames.”
- “No eating in front of the TV, no screens an hour before normally scheduled bedtime and going to sleep at the same time as I usually do.”
- “I am generally choosing not to tune in to the news aside from reading the updates as I usually do.”
- “Not changing my schedule – keep to my routine, client work and usual schedule”
- “My strategy is to carefully navigate media to stay informed, but not be consumed by it.”
- “I plan to improve my meal-timing and intake, since I haven’t been eating or sleeping enough and my energy is low.”
Enjoying creature comforts
In moderation, creature comforts such as comfort foods can have an astounding impact on one’s mood. Whether it be cozying up with a hot cup of tea, taking a warm bubble bath with essential oils or reading a guilty pleasure fantasy novel, consider treating yourself to something special this week.
- “While my wife watches the news, I’ll be tuning out the television by reading a cheesy urban fantasy novel. With my book, blanket and cat, I’ll be in my happy place.”
- “Warm, wooly socks bring me a huge amount of comfort.”
- “When I am over-stimulated and anxious, I put in my ear plugs, pull my sleeping beanie over my eyes, and wrap myself up in a blanket… It’s almost like I have a sensory deprivation room in my own home!”
- “I plan to knit while watching the results so that I have something to do with my hands.”
Moving the body
By stimulating the body’s feel-good hormones, endorphins and enkephalins, physical activity can reduce anxiety, improve sleep and lower the risk of depression. Activities that require focus and coordination can provide welcome relief from negative thought rumination. Even taking a light walk around the neighborhood can lift one’s mood and relieve stress.
- “Instead of being glued to the TV on election night, I plan on attending an online yoga class.”
- “I definitely plan on lots of exercise daily all week or until results are finalized.”
- “I am training for a half marathon in December and keeping up my training is paramount to feeling good.”
- “I’m going to try to get 10,000 steps in each day and maintain my kettlebell workouts.”
Relinquishing control
Accepting what we can and cannot control promotes hopefulness around what we have the power to change. This is particularly relevant when awaiting the results of a national election. Our Stability Leaders balance the “controllables” with the “uncontrollables” by thinking about the bigger picture.
- “I am taking time for extra snuggles with my little one. He helps to remind me that our next generation of leaders are hopeful, strong, and mighty. Regardless of the outcome, I have taken great joy in educating my four-year-old about what it means to vote, and why it’s important. I suppose that is to say, influencing the future that is right in front of me.”
- “Someone shared with me that during this time with the pandemic and elections, to either focus on this very moment or the 30,000-foot view, but try not to spend mental energy in the middle.”
- “I was supposed to be spending the first week of November in Hawaii with my family. As a result of the global pandemic, I will not be spending the next eight days soaking up the rays and sipping Mai Tais. However, in the spirit of self-care and self-love, I decided to keep the week blocked off on my calendar. I am spending this time resting, relaxing, and recharging. Instead of resume writing and career coaching sessions, my schedule is filled with time at the spa, (virtual) lunches and dinners with family and friends, and lots of binging on Netflix (I am currently three seasons deep on Jane the Virgin). This week is a reminder to focus on what I can control and relinquish what I cannot.”
Spreading Kindness
Helping others has been shown to reduce stress, decrease the risk of depression and bolster a sense of purpose. It can also build empathy, offer a newfound perspective and provide healthy distraction from negative thoughts. Whether it be checking in on loved ones, smiling at a stranger or sharing a word of affirmation, kindness is joy producing and contagious.
- “I’m planning on driving around rural Vermont on Election Day to donate masks and mental health awareness information.”
- “For me, it is helpful to be involved and volunteering as a poll watcher keeps me task oriented throughout the day.”
- “I’m texting my friends and family to check in and make sure no one feels alone this week.”
Having grace for yourself and others
We may not always be able to control our feelings, but we can control how we respond to them. Recognizing, validating and then extending extra grace towards yourself and others can go a long way this week.
- “I’m working as much as I can this week but trying to be gentle with myself.”
- “I know this is a tense time and the best thing for me is to focus on my breath and return to RAIN – Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture.”
- “I shared with my team at work that I was feeling anxious—asked what each person was doing to care for themselves, for their people and how we could care for each other.”
- “Remember to breathe in and breathe out.”
Just as it is hard to see the forest through the trees, it can be difficult to set intentions while caught up in the whirlwind of information overload. Taking time to step outside of the present moment and reflect on what might be healthy and not healthy this week will help protect your mental health for the weeks ahead.
What does your self-care strategy look like for this week? Feel free to share your plan in the comments section below.