If the recent presidential debates didn’t stress you out, cause you to question the fate of Americans (and humans in general), you may be one of the few. Perhaps you’re teetering on the verge of depression because of the way 2020 has been burning her way through the planet or how Covid-19 has been wreaking havoc around the world.
We’re here to tell you that it’s totally normal! We’re all in the same boat, literally. The fate of our country will be decided in the next month or so and for many of us, this will be one of the most important elections of our lifetime.
To help get you through this harrowing, nail-biting month we’ve compiled a list of five ways to help you de-stress this election season. For some people, dealing with stress means distraction and forgetting the problem exists and for some, it means being as proactive about the issue as possible. Keeping that in mind, there are ways to weave in or eliminate politics from every suggestion below!
1. A High Intensity Workout
Politics can get our hearts racing, but how about channeling that adrenaline into a workout? We know exercise is good for mental health, but it’s great to stave off the extra calories you might be consuming from stress-eating. A great way to distract yourself from the election is by pushing your body — set goals for yourself that you can work on a little bit every day!
For a political twist, imagine beating up your candidate’s opponent. Turn it into a game — watch the debates and instead of drinking alcohol each time something is said that turns you off, start kickboxing!
2. Volunteer for a Cause You Care About
Whether it’s going to walk animals at a shelter to revel in how loving animals are or writing letters to people encouraging them to vote, volunteering is a great way to de-stress. Covid has brought hardship to many non-profits, local businesses, and families — helping out any way you can makes an impact not only on your community, but has positive mental health benefits. Doing something good for someone else activates your brain’s pleasure circuits, releasing dopamine and ultimately, that feel-good, glow.
If you want to feel productive in regards to the election, there are tons of ways to get involved from calling potential voters, donating to campaigns that are in key swing states, work at a local voting poll, or offer your skills.
3. Dabble with Aromatherapy
Smell ya later, stress! Aromatherapy can reduce the perception of stress, increase feelings of contentment, and decrease levels of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’. For a beautiful distraction, light scented candles or for a simple calming aroma, try incense sticks. Don’t forget, you can integrate feel-good smells into your daily routine — try a scented lotion or scented face wipe for a quick pick-me-up during the day.
4. Disconnect
This is one of the hardest things to do, but also possibly one of the most rewarding and effective ways to lower stress. Disconnecting doesn’t have to mean a total shutout of the outside world; keep your friends close but the news, far away. Stay off news sites and social media for an extended period of time and see whether it allows you to focus on other things. Remember, focusing inwards is what is most important.
5. A DIY Activity
Use this time to distract yourself, use your imagination, and really focus your energies on something else. Engaging the creative parts of your brain actually has positive health benefits for your heart and overall health by lowering levels of cortisol. It’s a great time to have a socially distanced, art party — think a wine & cheese night with canvases and paint. Create portraits of your ‘favorite’ politicians or a satirical cartoon for a fun way to tie politics into the night.
Another way to de-stress is to focus on a project or puzzle. Try fixing something around the house — self care and self love comes in all forms and taking care of your space is included.