‘Tis the season to be inundated with unsolicited text messages urging you to select their candidate of choice. Campaign ads lack decorum and seem to focus more on insulting the opponent than inspiring the public. Taking good care of yourself is always important; and it is especially necessary during a stressful election season as we find ourselves in now. The following 9 Essential Self-Care Tips will help you stay grounded during this time and beyond.
(1) Avoid overconsumption of media.
Set boundaries on how much political news and social media you take into your “eye-gates and ear-gates” as my Deaconess mother would put it. Gone are the days where the primary sources of media are newspapers and magazines. Newspaper consumption was rationed because you had to wait until the next day for more news to be printed. Television stations would go off the air at certain times as if to signal that’s enough for one day and it’s time to go bed. This is the era of the 24-hour news cycle, from multiple networks, broadcasting from all over the world to all over the world. With unlimited access to news via various media sources, you have to be intentional about limiting your consumption.
(2) Stay informed, not overwhelmed.
You don’t have to be alerted to every political update that hits the airwaves and inter-webs. Give yourself a specific time each day that you’ll check in for any meaningful news and get informed on what’s most important to you. Do you really need to know the opinion of so many pundits, laugh at so many memes, scroll through so many feeds, listen to so many podcasts, watch so many news reports, just to get an update on the polls? Probably not. Get the information you need without overwhelming yourself.
(3) Practice mindful awareness.
Don’t underestimate the benefits of breathing techniques to help bring your attention back to the present. Notice, the next time you are watching/reading the news or engaging in political discussions. How much tension are you holding in your body? Become aware of your shoulders – are they tense? Are you holding tension in the muscles around your mouth, jaw, neck? Practice mindful awareness so that you recognize how you are being impacted by circumstances and breathe your way back to a more peaceful state in the present.
(4) Enjoy movement, stay physically active.
Sometimes you just have to get up, get out, and get a change of scenery. Change the channel in your brain by going for a walk, working out with one of the thousands of fitness friends on YouTube, doing a gentle yoga routine for a good relaxing stretch session, and anything else that helps you move your body thereby moving your mind in healthy ways.
(5) Connect to your healthy relationships.
Hopefully you have safe people, or at least a safe person – you know, someone you can talk to without getting drawn into an intense debate. Let them know how you’re feeling and ask how they’ve been doing. Have conversations about neutral topics and allow yourself to be supported by people that care about wellbeing.
(6) Do things to help others.
A great way to shift attention in a positive and productive direction is to do something that benefits someone else. So many people are in need right now, so the opportunities are plentiful. Instead of being sucked into negative narratives, be a light in someone’s life by helping where you can.
(7) Practice gratitude and prayer.
The atmosphere is tense. The outcome is unknown. That is all the more reason to turn attention to what you are grateful for. Focus on what you know for sure is a blessing in your life. Replace moments of worry with moments of prayer. Remember there is always grace and power greater than any election season, any candidate, any party, any thing this world has to offer.
(8) Have a calming wind-down routine.
See if you can create a routine that helps you wind down in the evening, or whenever it is time for you to get rest. Give your mind and body a chance to transition from the stimulating conditions of the day to a more relaxing state for the night. This may not come easy, as many of us are used to ending the day scrolling feeds or drifting off to episodes. So it may be different to consider powering down electronics as early as possible, making time to stretch tension from the muscles, making an herbal tea, or whatever else can signal to your body that it’s coming into a more restful state.
(9) Keep professional support.
Helping you manage symptoms of stress and anxiety by equipping you with tools to increase resilience and relaxation are some therapists’ specialty. It can be helpful to speak with a professional about how you’re affected by the current social and political climate. To say the discord that permeates social settings isn’t impacting mental health, is to ignore a public health issue many people are dealing with on a daily basis. You don’t have to navigate it alone. A coach or counselor can create a comfortable space where you are free to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential way.
Inner Renovations Toolbox 