How can you reduce election-related stress? Neuroscience offers help for you today and through the volatile season ahead.
Hopes and fears of our nation’s future have many of us wound-up tight. Emotional reactions are quickly and easily triggered.
Don’t Give In. Do This Instead.
When you feel tensions arise, use these quick, simple exercises to help you maintain and resonate inner peace.
You are waiting to hear what will happen next with the elections or are feeling the strain of 2020’s impact on your life. You feel tensions rising within you. Instead of letting the stress take its toll, step away from your TV, computer, tablet, or phone. Begin to become present in the moment by looking for 10 objects around you that are green. State the name of each item. For instance, say to yourself, “green rug, green box, green leaf…”
Now, put one of your hands on top of the other. Feel one hand touching the surface of the other hand. As you do, become aware of the sensations of the top hand in contact with the lower hand.
Next, feel your feet and lower back touching the surfaces that they are resting upon. Focus your attention on your feet and back. Become aware, without judgment, of the position they are in. Be present to the ease or tension in your feet and lower back. Let your energy settle down and feel your lower back and feet become heavier.
Last, listen to the ambient sounds in the room and name each of them one by one. Use your senses and surroundings to bring you into this moment, right now. As you do, you are suspending the arousal of stress hormones and toxic negative emotions. You are activating electrical impulses and signals that restore mental calmness, evenness of temper, and composure.
Repeat these simple exercises whenever you feel tension building whenever you want to calm your mind and relax your body.
Got Stress that Sticks? Add These Reliable Techniques
If you’re still keyed up, try staying away from Facebook, phone, and TV news.
If you can’t stay away, get a new doggy for a more positive, fun focus! If you know me, you know I think doggies are pure LOVE wrapped in fur. Playing with a doggie is guaranteed to reduce stress.
Or, if you need another option, one of my standard, never-fail stress relievers is to pull out one of my spiritual books and read passages of peace and hope.
This is a good time for us all to learn how to hold emotions in a bigger field of non-judgment no matter which way the election goes.
