View this post on Instagram

 

{*Did you know you can write on Elephant? Here’s how—big changes: How to Write & Make Money or at least Be of Benefit on Elephant. ~ Waylon}

~

As we approach the November General Election, this often has a compelling effect on most of us.

According to a recent survey by The Thriving Center of Psychology, 72 percent of adults in the United States are stressing about the upcoming presidential election. The survey also concluded nearly one in two Americans say politics has negatively impacted their health. Fifty-one percent claimed it caused anxiety, and 20 percent said it caused depression.

Many often feel exhausted, stressed, or angry when thinking about politics. Political thoughts can also trigger sleep deprivation, irritable dispositions, and ruminating behaviors.

What is it about this election season that seems so grueling? Many of us feel fed up, exhausted, and burned out. It’s hard to offer up space for other views, provide a friend or colleague the benefit of the doubt, or even offer a peaceful approach to someone with whom we could potentially be in political conflict when we are currently in this mindset.

As a life and leadership coach, my clients have recently reported an uptick in feeling a change in their mental health due to the current political environment.

The following coach-approved strategies have helped many clients and may help you, too, protect your mental health during these trying times.

1. Welcome what is within your control and also what isn’t.

Start becoming more aware of what could be impacting your presence of mind. Is it your current social media feed? Are you watching the nonstop candidate commercials? What’s the tone of your interactions with others? Or could it be something else?

Once you’ve discovered the source, determine what you can change. Can you reduce the time you are doomscrolling? Are you willing to monitor and track how much time you waste on TV? You can’t manage or improve something until you measure it. Then, list all the things that immediately come to your mind that you love. Think back to your childhood. What did you do in your spare time? Can you set boundaries regarding political conversations, identify limits, and be consistent with them?

2. Recognize how you are feeling.

Recognizing and holding space for your feelings can provide you with a profound sense of relief and understanding. This can help you refocus on other aspects of your life, such as work, family, pets, and friends. Bridging the gap between thoughts and feelings can facilitate a transition from the primarily emotional part of our brain to the reasoning center, enabling more rational thinking and potentially reducing the intensity of emotional reactions.

3. Live out your beliefs through your actions.

Let your values guide your behavior, and practice what you preach. Acting in ways that maintain our integrity can empower us and help us counter the negativity and despair resulting from division and loneliness. This empowerment can inspire and motivate us to continue living out our beliefs through our actions.

Remember the following message: Embrace your beliefs—such as making a positive impact, no matter how small on the world, and seeking common goals to collaborate with others and achieve. You can gain clarity and insight by allowing deeply held values to take center stage in your thoughts and consistently acting upon them.

4. Consider taking a break from the screen and engaging in physical activity.

Physical exercise can help us maintain our focus and vitality. Similarly, small actions that validate our well-being, such as consciously avoiding news feeds, placing your phone in a different location, restricting access to certain websites on your computer, and muting engaging social media channels, can also be beneficial. For instance, you can set a specific time to check news updates or use website blockers to limit your exposure to political content. This advice will encourage and support you in prioritizing your physical health during these challenging times.

We can prioritize taking a stroll or engaging in other physical activities on a personal level, understanding that we will feel more invigorated and efficient afterward. As individuals, while at work, we can also promote the idea of conducting walking meetings, whether in person for those who can do so or via phone while walking.

Consider different viewpoints. Approaching situations with curiosity and empathy to acknowledge alternative perspectives can positively impact our own mental and emotional health.

This resource can be helpful for those who find it challenging to comprehend a different point of view (remember, empathy does not mean the same thing as an endorsement). It emphasizes the significance of maintaining an open mind during discussions with individuals with whom you disagree, as this can provide valuable insights. Each person views the world through a distinct lens, and there is no absolute truth in relationships.

As November unfolds, remember to take deep breaths, prioritize your health, and ensure you participate in the upcoming vote. Engaging in positive actions can significantly contribute to your own well-being.

“America’s present need is not heroics but healing, not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.”  ~ Warren G. Harding

~