Post-Election Self Care Kit
By Holly Madden
Image Credit: Vignesh Moorthy on Unsplash
We are a couple days past the ‘25 Inauguration and many are navigating a wide range of emotions- anger, fear, anxiety, disappointment, shock, panic, and grief (just to name a few). And everywhere we look, media is inundated with new stories, posts, and opinions. May this resource serve as your permission to prioritize yourself and what you need in this time. Here are some coping strategies to support you in whatever you are feeling.
1. Disconnect. You deserve regular time away from your phone, from social media, from the news, and from anyone who may respect your boundaries when it comes to political conversations. You can establish routines around when you watch News stories or restrict which. news outlets you will listen to. You may set some boundaries for yourself like taking social media off your phone for a time so it’s harder to access, or scheduling a yoga class at the same time as your regular bookclub that tends to favor political conversations. Or you can practice listening to your body, recognizing the signs of anxiety or fear in your body and responding to this by putting your phone away or take a coffee break from your work space where the news may be on. In a society that emphasizes technological connection, disconnecting can be a form of is resistance.
2. Take Time in Nature. Being outdoors has so many healing properties for us. The exchange of carbon into oxygen that trees give us increases our capacity to take deep breaths, the magnetic connection of earth’s surface below our feet can regulate our nervous system, sunlight heals our body and elevates our mood, and elements in nature like water or watching birds can lower our heart rate and blood pressure, as well as time away from the hustle of society can help our brain temporarily disconnect from the stress of responsibility or anxiety about the state of the world. This could mean you take an afternoon away to your favorite nature spot or it could mean you visit your backyard in the morning before you leave for work. You can also choose to sit by a window in the sun or sit in your car before going into class to appreciate the sky and the birds. Nature is accessible if we are willing to see what is all around us.
3. Safe People. Surround yourself with safe people that you are able to be your authentic self around and you can express your authentic emotions to. It’s okay to spend more time with these people in this season and say no to more events and functions that do not feel safe. Work from home if you have the privilege of that option. Use winter weather or the general not feeling well that comes with this season to say no to family dinner. If news updates are triggering for you, find a safe person who can share with you about any critical updates, but do so with sensitivity, preparation and compassion. You deserve to feels safe.
4. Resist Quietly. If you long to advocate or stand up in resistance but feel triggered, unsafe, or not mentally able to show up to events or make public posts, there are many other ways you can exist in solidarity.
-Read banned boos.
-In a time when many are trying to erase or minimize history, learn more about the history of colonization, diversity and inclusion, queer and trans rights, immigration, and colonization.
-Elevate black, Native American, multi-cultural, and queer voices by reading books by these authors, listening to podcasts, following and interacting with social media platforms, and buying from minority-owned businesses.
-Financially support efforts or organizations that are doing this work.
-Ask to volunteer in more private ways with organizations that are doing this work. They may need people to write hand-written cards, do research, sort donations, etc.
-Write letters to those in office.
5. Incorporate Practices that Care for YOU- take nightly lavender epsom salt baths, do regular puzzles or crossword puzzles, learn pottery, keep an art journal, take the long way to work, eat outside at lunch, trail run, take care of your house plants, repaint your home, bake weekly treats, or whatever helps you feel relaxed and gives you some joy. You deserve to find joy in mundane things.
6. Write. Keep a journal or poetry book around your processing. Writing and accessing creativity can help feel, process and accept emotions in ways that our mind and audible voice does not.
7. Move Your Body. Intentional movement is Incredibly healing: doing yoga, Qigong, swimming, or even walking can help access our emotions when we are struggling to feel, help regulate the nervous system, and help release trapped energy stored in our body from stress or trauma.
8. Turn to Music. Create a playlist of music that connects with your emotions. You may create a playlist that ignites your righteous anger to pump you up. You may need a playlist with calm music to relax your anxiety. Or you may have a playlist of social justice songs that bring you hope. Make this playlist be the soundtrack of this season.
9. Sleep. It is winter.Our body needs more rest and sleep in the winter than any other month (we are in fact seasonal beings mean to cycle with the world). It’s okay to take more naps or go to bed early. Rest and sleep are healing.
10. Go to Therapy- This may be the perfect to time to start going to therapy. There are so many options for therapy, including so many tele health options. Prioritizing your mental health is a always a sign of strength.
Remember that in all things, listen to your body and mind. You matter. And you deserve to take care of you.