Staying Mindful During Election Season
My favorite techniques and tricks for keeping a clear head and reducing stress.
In just two weeks from today, millions of Americans will be flooding to the polls to cast their ballots in one of the most polarizing and consequential elections of our lifetime.
Politics have always been contentious, but we are experiencing a heightened level of divide and partisanship never before seen in American political theater. The cause? Well it dates back to the 2016 election cycle when a certain someone decided to run for president.
One thing I’ve been hearing a lot of lately is how surprised people are that this election is as close as it is given our two choices for President. And I get it. How can a man with his track record, criminal history, and policy stand a chance in the land of the free and home of the brave? The answer, or lack thereof, is what keeps many of us up at night. With 14 days to go and most reliable polls indicating that this race is deadlocked right down the middle, it may seem like your mental health is taking a backseat to daily life.
I am here to tell you that mine is too on occasion. And that is okay. But I am also here to share the techniques that I use and practice on the daily to help reduce my stress and anxiety during this uneasy time.
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Don’t Doom Scroll
We can all agree that social media can be used for good and for bad. It is no secret that when politics are on the mind, it is usually the latter.
Be mindful of how your spend your time online. Doom scrolling on Twitter or TikTok may feel like a mindless thing to do, but with the election around the corner, grifting and clickbait is at an all time high. Do yourself a favor and limit the political talk and spend more time watching the latest cat video.
Personal Anecdote: I have mostly stayed away from Twitter all together the last few weeks and I can genuinely say that my anxiety levels have been much better. When I want to satisfy my social media itch, I’ve been using Instagram and Youtube. The late night talk shows, like The Daily Show, will give you that fix of political content with a funny spin on things. It is a good way to stay involved without taking anything too seriously.
Limit Your News to 3 Sources
It is always a good idea to diversify your news consumption. That is the best way to stay informed while also forming your own opinions. Overconsumption of media, however, can quickly lead you down a dark path. Too much news can be just as dangerous as no news.
Pick three sources and stick with them. When you’ve consumed your allotment for the day, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something without feeling overwhelmed.
Personal Anecdote: I like to read, listen, and watch my news. I read the Wall Street Journal, I listen to NPR, and I watch CNN. As a Democrat, I am proud of this spread because it consists of three reliable news outlets that vary from being slightly right, centrist, and slightly left.
Decompressing at Night Helps You Dream Better
No one wants their sleep to be ruined by an unsettling dream. And it doesn’t have to be! I will spare you the actual science behind this, but there are proven techniques to influence your dreams for the better. In fact, the last thing you think about before bed tends to be the basis for your dreams. As an example, I’m sure all of you have dreamt about a movie or tv show you just watched before bed.
Using various thought exercises before bed, such as mediation or reading, you can greatly increase the chances of you dreaming about something you enjoy rather than something you don’t.
Personal Anecdote: About a year ago, no matter what I had going on during the day, I started reading fiction novels for thirty minutes to an hour before bed. Not only have those books helped me wind down at night, but since, my most common dreams have been about the fictional worlds I am reading about.
Take Action
Just because something is stressful doesn’t mean you should avoid it all together. You just need to approach it from a place of strength rather than defeat. When it comes to the election, the best way to do that is vote.
Aside from voting, you can also look for ways to get involved that work with your schedule. Donate, volunteer at field offices, or find organizations that are knocking on doors. No matter what you do, taking action in a responsible way does make a difference and will leave you feeling better about each passing day.
Thank you for reading! Remember that we are all different and these are techniques that work for me, but might not work for you. Please share any additional methods you use to stay sane during this incredibly stressful time of the year. I look forward to our discussion.
