Let’s not sugar coat it. These are scary times. As I write this, it’s November 3rd. I voted early a couple weeks ago and voting for the first time felt absolutely amazing. I’m so glad I voted early to make sure my mail-in ballot was counted, and I’m so grateful mail-in ballots and early voting were accessible this election because of COVID. After I voted, I tried to not overthink during those next two weeks, but it was really hard. I did what I could, and then it was time to sit and wait.
This year has already been so stressful and this election is just making things worse. As if that weren’t bad enough, we likely won’t get solid results for another week. Unfortunately, regardless of who wins, it’s assumed that civil unrest and violence will ensue. Videos of downtowns in major cities are circulating, showing that businesses are already boarding up their windows, preparing for riots and looting.
I want to stay positive, but it feels too difficult to do right now. What I can do is make a list of little things we can do to help ourselves feel better over the next couple weeks. Some of the things on this list are superficial ways of engaging in self-care, but when it feels like the country is falling apart, little, immediate feelings of satisfaction can help–and I’m not above seeking immediate gratification at the moment.
- Cut out time in your day or night to read
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If you have the ability to take some time to yourself during the day and read, you can get off your phone or turn off the TV and give yourself some time to decompress. Many of us will be anxiously waiting for the results of the election, but being so high-strung for an extended period of time won’t do your mental, physical, or emotional health any good. Reading before bed can help you get a better night’s sleep. I know many of us will be spending a lot of time on our phones or our laptops or watching our TVs throughout the day, so try to schedule some time into your nightly routine to help your body shift into sleep mode.
- Make a list of things that make you happy so you can look back at it when you need
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This is something people with anxiety and depression are recommended to do when they are feeling particularly bad. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or devastated, you likely won’t recall things that help you as easily as you would be during moments of lesser emotion. This list can include exercising, cooking, calling a loved one, reading, etc. Whatever makes you feel better in moments of upset.
- Scream
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Is this the most mature way to process emotions? No. But can it provide some immediate release of emotion? Absolutely. If you live in a place where you won’t disturb your neighbors, you can scream right there in your room. If you have the ability to drive out somewhere, then you get the added bonus of being in nature or at least in a different setting. I usually do this while I’m driving and listening to some music that reflects how I’m feeling, and it helps a lot.
- Bake or cook your favorite foods
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This takes some planning ahead, but if you can do some prep, making your favorite comfort foods won’t take as long. If you bake a batch of cookies or some brownies early in the week, you’ll have baked goods to munch on for a couple days. Oppositely, if you don’t have the capacity to cook for yourself, don’t feel guilty about ordering takeout.
- Do some art
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It doesn’t have to be good. Paint, embroider, draw, knit, sew, write, color. Do something that allows you to process your emotions or something that allows you to get out of your head for a little while. I bought some more embroidery supplies so that on nights when I’m not reading, I can embroider before I go to bed. Coloring books and journals are also excellent ways to engage in art before going to bed. But you don’t need to buy anything new; you likely have some spare paper and a pen or pencil or some markers if nothing else.
- Go for a walk
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This totally depends on where you are. If you’re downtown and there are police out, you might not feel comfortable going for a walk. Doing anything to get some fresh air might help your body feel better, even if it’s just walking to get a cup of coffee or walking around your cul-de-sac. Use your discretion to decide how comfortable you are going out, even for a short period of time.
- Make some playlists
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I have a playlist I listen to when I’m angry, when I’m sad, when I’m happy, when I want to cheer myself up. I know I’ll be using a couple of these playlists over the next couple weeks so I’m glad I already have them. If you don’t have one or more of these playlists already, I highly recommend creating them.
- Re-watch your favorite TV show or movie
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I’ve been watching New Girl for a happy, feel good show and Supernatural for emotional catharsis (no show has ever made me cry so much). I’ve also been re-watching the Harry Potter movies when I have the time to watch a full movie, which isn’t super often. You likely have a show, movie, Youtuber, etc. that makes you feel happy to watch, so don’t hesitate or feel guilty to take time to yourself and watch.
- Get some sleep. Seriously.
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Whether you’re taking a nap or going to bed ridiculously early, never underestimate the power sleep has. Even partial deprivation can make people feel more stressed, sad, angry, and mentally exhausted. I think a lot of us will already be feeling these emotions over the next couple of weeks, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep to keep from making it even worse.
- Clean your room or house
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I feel a lot better when the space I am physically inhabiting is clean. The act of cleaning allows me to move my body, listen to music, and see my progress almost immediately. And then I have a clean room and can bask in it.
- Make time for superficial self-care
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If you know me or have read some of my previous articles, you’ll know that I reject face masks, exfoliating, and general beauty practices as self-care. If they are, it’s the absolute bare minimum. This week, I’ll be eating my words. I still wholeheartedly believe that self-care goes so much deeper than face masks, but I know that they do make you feel better for a couple moments. So this week I’ll be painting my nails and doing face masks and whatever else I feel might help me get some small, immediate gratification.
- Spend time with loved ones
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This might be virtual or in person, but taking the time to talk with your loved ones is so important. This week, I plan to call my friends to both check in with them and distract myself. We deserve to process our emotions and support each other, and we should also be able to find a reprieve.
- Schedule an appointment to talk with a professional
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If you have the ability to do so, scheduling an appointment with a therapist or other mental health professional might help you. This is a really terrifying and uncertain time, so don’t feel like you’re being overdramatic if you want to talk to a professional. Whether you’ve never been to therapy, have gone in the past, stopped going recently, or are currently in therapy, talking to a professional might be of help. And if going to therapy isn’t accessible to you, this post has some ideas on what you can do in place of it.
We don’t know what the future holds and for many of us, that is terrifying. The country is planning for civil unrest regardless of who wins, which is devastating and overwhelming. As we wait for the election results and the responses, remember to take care of yourself.