Managing Election Stress.... 11 p.m. Election Night
Good Evening,
Night of the election… and the results are pouring in. I am putting some good vibes and some support out the into the world tonight. In recent days, I have been paying attention to many media posts by therapists/psychologists/coaches, social media influencers, civil rights activists, and of course our elected officials around this election. This election impacts the people, the public, those can vote and those who cannot. The election impacts the health of the nation, communities, cities, and individuals. It has a big impact on mental health. Trying to further be a steward of conversation on mental health, the Dean at my alma mater, Dean Shelley Smith-Acuna made a post on the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s IG on how to support yourself in the hours after the polls closing. I share her points and give my own twist to elaborate.
1) Limit or curate your media use. Give yourself a break, take a pause, breathe, do something that brings you joy to help take the focus off the election results.
2) Use this moment as a means to build a toolkit to manage anxiety. Let’s get simple…. watch that new Tik-Tok comedian, learn that new skill, watch your favorite TV show/movie you have binge watched a 100 times, or listen to your favorite podcast series (hmm.. Brene Brown?). Build out things that can help with self-care and joy. Need some ideas? Go a head and click here.
3) Remember your positive values and use them as a touchstone. Let’s simplify.. This comes back a lot to the idea of reframing a situation, your thoughts, and values. Bring your attention back to your values. Your values will often support how you voted. Stand firm and stand strong with your values and focus the positives. Focus on how your values will continue to help you navigate the changing landscape that is to comes… hopefully for the better.
4) Take the long view - Let’s take a moment to to settle in… we have a long road a head of us. Understanding the big picture might help to see where you can both help yourself and our society. Remember politics is about the short term, long term… and everything in between. That is the grey, the unknown, ambiguity, and the stretch of time between elections. Pace yourself. Hunker down. And find where you personally can find sustainability for what comes next. That could also be where you find meaning. Do you get more involved in voter rights, in LGBTQI rights, climate activism, supporting and/or allying with BIPOC communities, health advocacy, supporting reproductive rights. Find what brings you meaning even if that means backing away for a little while…. give can give yourself some permission around that.
5) Get help if you need it - This is a moment where support from one another is vital to being able to survive through the election, the pandemic, natural disasters, the fight for civil rights, and so many other things right now. You can get help by emailing gethelp@reedfiertherapy.com or email counselingwithzack@gmail.com for more information on individual and group therapy. I can also be reached by phone at 818-860-1892. For crisis supports you can reach out to our various hotlines across the country: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Music Playlist for Election Night and Thereafter:
A music playlist for the on-goings of election night. As a supporter of public radio, I realize many of these music videos are a part of the Tiny Desk Concert series at NPR. Please support public radio for solid objective news reporting, great music, and local content.
Gogol Bordello - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJGh50t6crw
Alicia Keys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwUt1fVLb3E
Tegan and Sara - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFrcgcCnr1U
Tash & The Bangas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzobTCIRDw
Hamilton - The Room Where it Happens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSTAf0eXSD0
Woody Gutherie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxiMrvDbq3s
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Thanks for reading.
Stay safe as we get through this election.
-ZRF