“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” –Anne Lamot

According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey this month, Nearly 70% of U.S. adults say the presidential election is a significant source of stress. I have been feeling the collective stress and anxiety that has been emerging on every timeline I scroll. Between Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, I’ve seen a noticeable amount of my friends expressing thoughts of fear anxiety concerning the election results.

Mental health is a real thing. It’s easy to feel fine one moment and slowly begin to slip into an anxious state. Often when I’m experiencing stress and anxiety, I feel hopeless. I begin to ask myself questions such as: 

What can I do? 

How did I get here? 

How can I get back to my happy place? 

I know that I’m not alone in my experience. Luckily I have found some helpful activities that pull me out of my dark moments that have been helpful. I hope you, too, will implement some of these habits to decrease any stress you may feel with tomorrow’s election day. 

1. Unplug 

Every news station and social media outlet is going to be talking about the election. It is okay to turn it all off. Turn the phone off, turn off the news, and just take a break from it all. Regardless of whether you follow every news clip or not on election night, the results will still be the same. Take some time to unplug and do what you need to do for your own sanity. Your mental health is more important than knowing every detail of the election results. 

2. Dancing 

One of my all-time favorite things to do when I’m feeling down is to move my body and dance. There have been more times than I can count when I will create a jumping playlist, close my bedroom door, and dance my heart out, all alone. Spending time alone, hearing good music, and moving my body allows me to escape the reality of my situation. It is a positive and healthy alternative to sitting around sulking in my misery.

3. Watching Old Television Shows 

With the resurgence of 90’s sitcoms all over Netflix and Hulu, one of my favorite things to do when I’m battling stress is to watch an old television show that brings me feelings of nostalgia. Consuming shows that take me back to a simpler time in my life comforts me and takes me back to happier times. 

4. Spend Time With Children

Children are very pure, and most of them have no grasp of politics or the social unrest in our country. Spending time with children, talking with them about video games, and light-hearted things is another way to feel better and escape from the ever-present realities of being an adult in this time.  

5. Cooking

Cooking is a great activity that requires focus, dedication, and effort. Trying a new recipe is the perfect pastime and opportunity to learn a new skill. Studies have shown that cooking can be a therapeutic activity. Even just baking cookies or putting together fresh fruits and veggies can improve an individual’s mindset. 

6. Find Laughter

There are some YouTube clips, TV shows, and memories that never fail to make me laugh. Whenever I’m feeling down, I try to remind myself of these things and laugh my heart out. Life can never be taken too seriously, and laughter is good for the soul. 

7. Call A Friend 

Friendship is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Friends are the ones we spend some of our greatest moments with and have some of our fondest memories. In the world of social media, texting and emailing, talking on the phone has become less and less popular. If you are feeling down, I encourage you to make a phone call to an old friend, or maybe even Facetime. Hearing that person’s voice and merely checking in can have incredible benefits. 

Election week is going to be a tough one regardless of who wins. The nation has never been this divided and vocal about how they feel about the way things are moving. No matter what happens, make it a point to protect your mental health first. Don’t let the news media and the negativity get to you. I hope you can implement some of these tips and try to find some peace; you deserve it! 

Be Inspired.