On this situation, I encourage my sufferers to maneuver previous that preliminary considered how terrible it is going to be and as a substitute take into account precisely how they may reply to the inauguration, the subsequent day, week, month, and so forth.
Cognitive flexibility means that you can discover how you’ll cope, even within the face of a adverse consequence, serving to you’re feeling a bit much less uncontrolled. If you happen to’re experiencing numerous nervousness in regards to the election, strive considering by what you’d do if the undesirable candidate takes workplace—ideas like “I’ll donate to causes which are vital to me” and “I’ll attend protests.”
Select your actions with intention
One other software for managing your nervousness is to think about whether or not your behaviors are affecting how you’re feeling.
Keep in mind, as an example, the objective of 24-hour information networks is to extend rankings. It’s of their curiosity to maintain you riveted to your screens by making it seem to be vital bulletins are imminent. In consequence, it might really feel tough to disconnect and participate in your ordinary self-care conduct.
Strive telling your self, “If one thing occurs, somebody will textual content me,” and go for a stroll or, higher but, to mattress. Maintaining with wholesome habits can assist scale back your vulnerability to uncontrolled nervousness.
Submit-Election Day, you could proceed to really feel drawn to the information and motivated to point out up—whether or not which means donating, volunteering, or protesting—for quite a lot of causes you suppose will likely be affected by the election outcomes. Many individuals describe feeling responsible if they are saying no or disengage, main them to overcommit and wind up overwhelmed.
If this sounds such as you, strive reminding your self that taking a break from politics to cook dinner, have interaction with your loved ones or mates, get some work carried out, or go to the health club doesn’t imply you don’t care. Actually, maintaining with the actions that gasoline you gives you the power to contribute to vital causes extra meaningfully.
Shannon Sauer-Zavala, Affiliate Professor of Psychology & Licensed Scientific Psychologist, College of Kentucky. This text is republished from The Dialog underneath a Inventive Commons license. Learn the unique article.