There are 34 days until the 2024 presidential elections. You may have noticed increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty leading up to November 5th. If this is the case for you, here are some things you can do to cope ahead.
- Reconnect with personal values. In a time of great uncertainty, it can be helpful to look inwards and reconnect with yourself and your values. Spend some time identifying and defining what your personal values are and think of ways to implement them in your daily life. This may look like volunteering your time, spending time with family, or engaging in intentional rest.
- Reconnect with social supports. Now might be a great time to reach out to trusted friends and family who can provide a safe space to process your emotions and offer a hopeful perspective.
- Engage in mindful disconnection. Consider taking a mindful break from social media and other news sources. If it seems too difficult to disconnect, consider setting boundaries around the time spent on media consumption.
- Practice acceptance. Spend some time exploring the idea that your preferred candidate might not be elected. Notice the emotions that are elicited by this thought and sit with them for a moment. Practice embracing the reality that election results may harbor some disappointment.
- Prioritize stress management and personal care. It is important to prioritize your wellbeing during the coming weeks. Consider engaging in pleasurable leisure activities, spending time outdoors, eating regularly, and reconnecting with old hobbies.