Mental Health Moment 10/1/2024

Staying Sane in an Election Year

Election years bring endless ads, visual clutter of yard signs and bumper stickers, debates with friends, and stress. So much stress. A recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association revealed that nearly “…73% of respondents said that they are feeling anxious about the election.”  And we still have several weeks to go. 

So, with that in mind, here are some quick tips to remain as mentally well as possible when everything around you is screaming out for your attention, fear, outrage, and energy: 

1. Take a mindfulness moment. Take a peppermint candy and focus all of your attention on it. Notice every part of eating the candy from the process of unwrapping it through the aftertaste. Pay attention to that candy as if there is nothing else in the world to notice.

2. Practice the 5 Things exercise. Take a moment and name:

   • 5 things you can see

   • 4 things you can touch

   • 3 things you hear

   • 2 things you can smell

   • 1 thing you can taste

3. Turn off the news for a time. Even the satire and humorous stuff. Rest your eyes on a meditation video or reading a book.

4. Check your basic self-care stats. Are you drinking water? Eating fruits and vegetables? When was the last time you slept? Took a walk? Stretched? You’d be amazed at how much of a difference even ten minutes of self-care can make you feel. 

Use these exercises for a break any time you need one. Don’t worry. The election will still be here when you are ready for it.

—Jennifer Kronk is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor practicing in the Chicago area.