Protect Your Wellbeing During Election Week

By: Sarah Waddington

Hours of refreshing your social media pages, waking up and checking the news first thing everyday, and “screen time” stats that you might not be too proud of---sound familiar? The build up to election day this year has come with a lot of heightened emotions with important issues on the line such as COVID-19 response, the future of healthcare, and Supreme Court nominees who will protect our rights. 

Recent claims of voter suppression and election fraud from either side, as well as increasing divisiveness of the candidates can make keeping up with current events an emotionally draining task.

Like any big day that would cause these feelings, it’s good to go into it with a plan on how to cope--- no matter the outcome. Here’s five ways you can keep your mind in check as we watch the results roll in over the course of this week. 

Stop the doomscrolling

It can sometimes seem impossible to step away from your phone when there is always an update being posted or a new “unprecedented” thing happening. It’s important to stay informed, but monitor how some social media makes you feel (I’m talking to the Twitter addicts, myself included). 

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Set time limits on apps so that you get alerted when you have been scrolling for X amount of time, or schedule a walk where you leave your phone at home. You can stay updated, but you don’t need to know everything at every moment, especially when it’s at the risk of your mental wellbeing.

Maintain your (virtual) connections

Although you might not have the viewing get-together you may have had for the election in previous years due to COVID, you should still stay connected to your people. Facetime with your friends so that you can get reactions outside of the pundits on TV, or check in with your family as the results roll in. This time can definitely be isolating, compounded with election anxiety, so try to remind yourself of what’s most important in life.

Check your sources 

If you are getting all your information from social media or cable television, evaluate the biases and opinions that might be embedded there. Seek out sources that simply deliver the news, without a specific viewpoint attached to it. This will help you stay informed and create your own opinions around whatever issue is being discussed.

Distract yourself

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

If after a long day of news updates and information bombardment, you want to visit with Nick, Jess, Schmidt, and Winston in their loft in New Girl for the third time, that is perfectly understandable--- if not recommended. Re-watching a show is proven to calm your anxiety since you don’t need to process new information and can cheer you up in times of uncertainty. It’s okay to disconnect for a little bit and return to the current news cycle after a little break.

Breathe in, breathe out

At the end of the day, there is not much you can do except remember to breathe through it. When you feel overwhelmed, put down your phone, turn off the TV and take five deep breaths breathing in for five  counts, holding for five  counts, and breathing out. This is a great way to center yourself and put yourself back in control of how you are feeling

Although this time can be emotionally tumultuous, there are things you can do to protect your mental health and wellbeing. Include something on the list as part of your plan or listen to what you need in the moment to get through it.