The Presidential election in the US has been rather challenging for me in big part because one of the candidates reminds me so much of some of the men I’ve had painful coupled relationships with. It also doesn’t help that there are clear dangerous overtones to some of his rhetoric that remind more of a candidate for dictator not a democratic leader – and thus taps into some of the historical trauma I carry. On Saturday, I even had a couple of mild panic attacks.

Now I’ve upped my self-care. I realized that many others are also struggling with various levels of anxiety. Thus, I decided to share some ideas of how to get our emotional balance back. So, here in somewhat of an order, is what we can do to counter our election anxiety:

1. Get off social media
2. Go for a speed walk or a run
3. Dance
4. Talk to others in person
5. Volunteer to get out the vote or keep polls safe
6. Watch a movie or documentary
7. Play with kids or pets
8. Wash the dishes
9. Meditate or practice some relaxation technique
10. Find groups you can get involved with to counteract all that’s bubbled up
11. Practice putting on make-up
12. Find music for your next performance
13. Try some tenderness as suggested here
14. Remind each other of these ideas

Some of these ideas, like number 10, are also laying the groundwork for action after the election because the hatred won’t stop on Tuesday (or Wednesday).

I am sure there are other things you’ve found useful, so please share them in the comments!

(Note: Any comments for or against any of the candidates, especially vile ones, will be deleted. So don’t even bother making them…)