Maintaining Your Calm
With Election Day upon us, many of us are feeling a heightened sense of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. This experience cuts across party lines, as no one person has control over the outcome. And all of that uncertainty and ensuing stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health.
While you can't single handedly control the election, you can control how you take care of yourself.
So plan ahead! Giving your body and mind some time to rest and restore itself, especially in hectic times, is essential for keeping your health and wellbeing in check.
Here are some simple, healthy habits that are known to protect you from the damaging effects of stress, and will help you maintain a sense of calm in these final hours, however long they may last.
Practice mindfulness:
Mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga - especially when you feel heated - help you de-stress and relax while distracting your mind. By focusing on the present and being aware of how you feel in the moment, we influence brain activity in regions that are involved in reducing stress and increasing the parasympathetic response - easing anxiety and improving mood. Basically, it's nearly impossible to be relaxed and stressed at the same time.The key is recognizing that you're hitting an uncomfortable level of discomfort, so that you may take action to ease anxiety and channel those feelings into something positive. Listen to a meditation app, take a bath, put your phone away, breathe, and do one of my online yoga classes! Whatever it is that brings you calm, surround yourself with that.
Move your body (especially in nature):
It's common knowledge that exercise is vital for a healthy lifestyle in that it prevents health problems, builds strength, increases energy, reduces stress, and helps you maintain a healthy body weight. And nature offers one of the most reliable boosts to your mental and physical well-being. So why not combine the two!Humans are not meant to be cooped up inside all day! Spending time in nature makes you happier, fortifies your immune system, lowers blood pressure, improves mental clarity, and stirs your creativity.
Both of these things have been proven to make our emotional and mental health more resilient, particularly in stressful times. Whether it's doing a full-blown workout on the deck or in a park, or just going for a walk around your block, getting your body to move in the outdoors will turn your election stress – and any other kind of stress – down immensely.
Replace scrolling with something nourishing:
A constant connection to news, information, updates, and social media actually drives up our stress levels. Consider giving yourself a time limit for how much news you'll consume and actually set a timer. Even steer clear of social media all together to help reduce feelings of anxiety. Stop and read a book, listen to music, eat something healthy, talk to someone you love (not about the election!).Invest in self-care instead of being glued to your devices. Besides, watching every news story not only increases feelings of anxiety, but it does not change the eventual outcome!
Manage expectations:
There will most likely be delays in election results. So it's important to mentally prepare for those delays. If we're expecting a clear answer and we don't have it, that just extends the uncertainty for us.Plan how you will spend the time waiting for results. If watching TV and scanning the news stresses you out, don't do it. Instead, do something that brings you joy! Take a walk, read a book, or soak in the tub! Find things that keep you less overwhelmed and make a plan to do those things. This will reduce uncertainty, which in turn makes us calmer. It could be days or even a couple of weeks before we have a clear answer. So plan ahead!
If nothing else, just before you're about to check for an update, STOP and take 3 long full deep breaths. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 5, and exhale to a count of 6.
Remember that you're not alone. This is a bi-partisan experience we are all having. So when you notice your chest or limbs get tense and tight, or your shoulders creep up by your ears, remember that with the right tools you can feel balanced, grounded, and calm. It just takes intention and commitment.
And when in doubt, breathe.