5 ways to take care of yourself on Election Days
We made it to Election Day, but we aren’t out of the woods yet. The entire nation is on the edge of their seats as we head into one of the most divided races in history. The anxiety is palpable, and we feel it with you, just like everybody else. But it’s important to remember that we are in this together. If you’ve voted, thank you! Every vote counts in a democracy and if you haven’t yet, we encourage you to get to the polls today and let your voice be heard. Outside of that, it’s important to remember that no matter what’s happening in the world, taking care of yourself is THE most important thing. We cannot make an impact or change things, when we are anxious or unhealthy. Here are 5 ways to take care of yourself on election day.
This one is going to be the hardest because news will be pouring in all day, but if the news cycle is causing you anxiety, try and limit your screen time. A good way to manage this, is to set a timer on your phone to check it every 90 minutes. That way, you’re not picking it up every 5 minutes, but there is a predictability in how soon you can look at it. If 90 minutes is too long, try reducing the time and build your way up. Another helpful trick is to leave your phone in another room, while you’re working or focused on a task. The constant pinging doesn’t distract you and before you know it, a few hours can go by before you feel the urge to check your phone again.
If sitting at home is making you restless, throw on a podcast and go for a walk. Being in nature has been scientifically proven to calm the mind and inspire creativity. If you’re in a heavy urban center, just the fresh air will do you good. Try to avoid distractions as much as possible — maybe throw on a podcast or listen to your favorite book on Audible to keep you company. If you have a dog, what better excuse to leave the house for a bit than to spend some cherished time with your best bud?
Meditation is hard. Believe us we’ve tried. That’s why it’s called a practice. It takes years of practice to master meditation to the point where you’re proficient enough to be able to do it for a few hours at a stretch without help. But a guided meditation can take you through the paces for as little as 3 minutes. Apps like Calm and Headspace are great options if you want to meditate but need a little help getting through it. You can adjust the settings for as long as you want your practice to be.
It’s no secret by now, that we are huge fans of baths at Plant de Terra. There is a reason that baths have been one of the most popular ways to decompress and build community. Ancient Turkish and Moroccan baths or hammams were traditionally found across the Middle East, North Africa and ancient Rome. Hot baths are transformative, especially at night because the increased body temperature helps synchronise our circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep patterns and improved quality of sleep.
It can be tempting to pour yourself a glass of wine, turn to your news channel of choice and watch the results roll in. But if that has you biting your nails to the cuticle, ditch the blue light and turn on a peaceful rainforest or ocean track instead. You can play it in the background while you curl up with your favorite book. Studies have proven that nature sounds decrease the body’s sympathetic response to external stimuli (fight-or-flight).
It is important to remember that while this has been an incredibly painful year and we may be divided in our ideology, whether you voted Blue or Red, Biden or Trump, we can all make a difference and do good — no matter who ends up being President of the United States.
