Normally I would not discuss politics in this column, but I would be remiss if I did not discuss strategies for remaining calm (for health reasons) during this time of chaos. With the upcoming election, the political stress and tension is incredibly high. Be it TV, social media, or discussions with family or friends, politics is everywhere! So, why do we get so upset when discussing politics? It’s because so many of the issues that are spoken about during campaigns have an impact on our personal beliefs, experiences, religion, values, morals, and other things we care about.
We all have our differences, but most of us would agree, we are living in an unprecedented era. Chaos is everywhere! Between wars and unrest in the world, economic instability, violence, shootings, and politics, people are feeling “on edge”. And, with the upcoming elections, political tension and stress are at an all-time high. It is difficult to keep up with candidates’ views on what they promise to do or change, not to mention the negative comments about the other candidates.
If you’re feeling stressed about the upcoming election, you’re not alone. Recent research has shown that more than two-thirds of Americans say the upcoming election is a major cause of stress in their lives, which affects their mental health. But, no matter what’s going on in the world, it’s important to maintain one’s own mental health. This is not to say that you should not be involved, but it is important to know how to take care of your own well-being. Practicing some of the following strategies can help lessen some of the stressful events in our lives.
Learn about and practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment. When we focus our attention on the present moment, our minds are trained to think about the thoughts that are relevant to us now and not worry about how the future will look. When trying to apply mindfulness to chaos in the world today, ask yourself, “what can I do right now?” Do what you can, then let your mind rest.
Monitor your media consumption. Media has a way of capturing our attention and holding onto it for too long. The media actually affects our brain chemistry and fear chemicals, keeping us addicted and hooked. It is important to work at developing a healthy relationship with media of all kinds. But, there is also an importance and responsibility in staying informed. It’s a fine line between staying informed and feeling overwhelmed.
Limiting media consumption is one of the most effective ways to stay calm during turmoil in the world. Setting and adhering to boundaries for ourselves is a good strategy. Take accountability for your own mental health, and when necessary, seek support from your family and friends to help you stay positive and healthy.
Reach out to those who can help support you. These are the people you can confide in when you’re feeling vulnerable and when you need advice. Stressors in our lives cause anxiety and then it’s hard to get rid of those negative thoughts. Reaching out to those who can support you is important when faced with challenges. If at some point you feel that you cannot control your anxiety and the people who support you are unable to help, seek out a professional.
Think about what you can and cannot control. In times of chaos, when you find you are feeling out of control, stop and think about the things you actually can control. Rather than fretting about things you have little control of, think about what you can control or help change. If the upcoming election is causing you anxiety, think about what you can control like voting or supporting a campaign or cause.
There are going to be difficult days and times when you feel upset, challenged, and not sure of what to do. There are going to be days when you are not going to feel okay. We need to give ourselves permission to feel sad or upset sometimes. We all will experience challenges or obstacles in our lives. Take one day at a time. Stay grounded. During these times, focus on your health and well-being by practicing self-care. Do things you enjoy. Read, visit with family or friends, listen to music, reflect, pray, meditate. You need to care for your own mental health. And, what better time than now to do this?
Reference:
- How to Stay Calm During Political Chaos, Colorado, CBT, Transform your Life, Blog.
