Moving Forward After the 2020 Election

5 ways to help you push forward after the election - no matter who wins.

Avoid Catastrophizing

It's easy to let our minds wander, but doing so can be detrimental and cause us to think of the worse possible scenarios. It's important to stop these thoughts before they snowball into something unhelpful. Recognize that voting is the one thing you can/could do to change the outcome, and if you did that, tell yourself that you've done all you can. It's important to acknowledge the thoughts you're having, but then to redirect them by thinking about other topics.

Go on a News/Social Media Cleanse

The news and other people posting about the election is only going to increase stress and anxiety. Avoid watching/reading the news and going on social media all together, or limit the amount of time you spend. It's especially important to stop looking at the news after 7 or 8pm to allow your brain to rest and relax. Doing so should also help you sleep better. Set boundaries with yourself, disconnect from technology, and spend that time connecting with others.

Get Up, Get Moving

Exercising helps with our mood, mental health, and physical health. Exercising can also be a source of healthy relief for any pent up stress, anxiety, anger, or frustration. It does not have to be a full, athlete workout to be beneficial; it's as simple as taking a walk during lunchtime or walking the dog after work/school.

Be Grateful

During difficult times it can be hard to focus on the positives, which causes more angst and frustration. Expressing gratitude can be a simple way to re-focus on the good happening. Spend 2-3 minutes in the morning or before bed writing down things you are grateful for. A little goes a long way!

Self-Care

You've probably heard this word used over and over again, but I'm going to preach it one more time: SELF. CARE. Utilize those healthy coping skills like listening to music, calling friends, cooking, reading, etc. Take time to do things that help you de-stress before you feel like you might erupt. Even eating nourishing foods and getting good sleep is part of self-care.