The US election is making worldwide news as we embark on choosing our elected leaders nationally and locally. We’ve seen record numbers year in early voting turnout. It’s an unfortunate time of polarizing and divisiveness in our country. My hope is that we can be united and work together no matter what. Let love, light and peace be our focus.
My intention with this article is:
#1 - Motivate you to get out and vote - if you haven't done so. If you have - thank you.
#2 - Be mindful of your stress, doom scrolling, and stressing.
#3 - Provide tips for dealing with stress while building resilience.
Voting has always been important to me. It’s a right we have in the US that many don’t. Mom and Dad always voted but would never discuss who they voted for. Even with my goading I never knew. It was a personal private matter for them. They stated they often voted differently but respected that choice and no arguments ever happened over politics. Fantastic discussion and debates occurred over dinner. I was encouraged to learn about the process.
They raised me to vote and do my civic duty. Mom always took me with her to the voting places. I remember the large stuffy voting cubicles with the red heavy drapes and pulling the levers with her as a small child, fascinated by the sounds and process. I remember sitting in the chairs in some large cafeteria for hours in tedium waiting in the Regan presidency annoyed I was forced to attend, since I wasn’t old enough to vote. I wonder what she’d think of the election process now. No matter what, I’m sure she’d figure out how to cast her vote.
Tips for Election Stress
This year’s election is stressful. Here we are again feeling the anger, decisiveness, and vitriol while trying to find peace and unity. The outcome feels so emotionally charged. My clients are talking to me about this. I hear and feel their anxiety, stress and distractions. I wish it wasn’t so and we could all discuss our differences in a civil respectful manner without the threat of violence or anger. But that’s not true for many people. There is real stress and anxiety over the voting, the process and what the outcome may be. People are distracted and finding it a challenge to concentrate. There’s a fear of the unknown or what if.
No matter what the outcome, we can help mitigate the stress and build resilience. We can be resilient during this election season and the days afterwards.
Tips for Election Stress = Building Resilience
1. Election Day Stress Mitigation & Resilience Building
2. Post-Election Stress & Resilience Tips
If you or someone you know is looking for deeper and more in-depth support, I have space for 2 clients this month. Reach out and contact me. I provide a safe place to find courage and live boldly.
I’ve noted additional fact checking resources below, please see my resources page for more resilience resources.
Peace, blessings and may you be well,
Teresa – Praying for hope and peace.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
Fact Checking Resources
My intention with this article is:
#1 - Motivate you to get out and vote - if you haven't done so. If you have - thank you.
#2 - Be mindful of your stress, doom scrolling, and stressing.
#3 - Provide tips for dealing with stress while building resilience.
Voting has always been important to me. It’s a right we have in the US that many don’t. Mom and Dad always voted but would never discuss who they voted for. Even with my goading I never knew. It was a personal private matter for them. They stated they often voted differently but respected that choice and no arguments ever happened over politics. Fantastic discussion and debates occurred over dinner. I was encouraged to learn about the process.
They raised me to vote and do my civic duty. Mom always took me with her to the voting places. I remember the large stuffy voting cubicles with the red heavy drapes and pulling the levers with her as a small child, fascinated by the sounds and process. I remember sitting in the chairs in some large cafeteria for hours in tedium waiting in the Regan presidency annoyed I was forced to attend, since I wasn’t old enough to vote. I wonder what she’d think of the election process now. No matter what, I’m sure she’d figure out how to cast her vote.
Tips for Election Stress
This year’s election is stressful. Here we are again feeling the anger, decisiveness, and vitriol while trying to find peace and unity. The outcome feels so emotionally charged. My clients are talking to me about this. I hear and feel their anxiety, stress and distractions. I wish it wasn’t so and we could all discuss our differences in a civil respectful manner without the threat of violence or anger. But that’s not true for many people. There is real stress and anxiety over the voting, the process and what the outcome may be. People are distracted and finding it a challenge to concentrate. There’s a fear of the unknown or what if.
No matter what the outcome, we can help mitigate the stress and build resilience. We can be resilient during this election season and the days afterwards.
Tips for Election Stress = Building Resilience
1. Election Day Stress Mitigation & Resilience Building
- Prepare yourself to vote – learn what’s on your ballot https://www.vote411.org/
- Volunteer at polling places or other volunteer organizations
- Vote safely – plan for a wait, know the rules for your state
- Celebrate the fact you’ve voted! – Not everyone can.
- Realize it may take time to declare a winner and there may be runoffs
- Plan for how you’ll deal with the outcome of the election
- Limit and/or moderate your social media and news intake
- Notice when you’re feeling the stress building
- Utilize the STOP technique for stress
- THINK before and you post or share information
- Is it True
- Is it Helpful?
- Is it Inspiring?
- Is it Necessary?
- It is Kind?
- Post only the facts & fact check your information - see fact checking resources below
2. Post-Election Stress & Resilience Tips
- Practice patience - with people, loved ones, and the results come in
- Be mindful and intentional about what you’re thinking and saying
- Remember people are human and we can love even if we disagree
- Practice empathy for yourself and others
- Acknowledge your feelings and emotions – whatever they are
- Utilize the STOP technique for stress
- Practice self-care & take good care of you
- Here are some ideas: https://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/blog/7-types-of-self-care-ideas
- Plan something to reduce stress or anxiety
- Movement – walk, yoga, exercise, gardening, etc.
- Journal, draw, sing
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member
- Get outside with nature
- Maybe take some time off
- Express gratitude
- I’m grateful we live in a country where we have the opportunity vote.
- Be mindful of disinformation – fact check – see below for links
- Take some time to acknowledge the facts
- Stay curious – I wonder, What can I learn from this?
- Take some time to acknowledge the facts
- Practice Self-Compassion
- Take stock of your values
- Remember what you have control over
- What you think, say and do.
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- It can be a simple brain dump – just write it all out
- If you become overwhelmed – step back, breathe, pray, meditate and/or seek help from a professional.
If you or someone you know is looking for deeper and more in-depth support, I have space for 2 clients this month. Reach out and contact me. I provide a safe place to find courage and live boldly.
I’ve noted additional fact checking resources below, please see my resources page for more resilience resources.
Peace, blessings and may you be well,
Teresa – Praying for hope and peace.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
Fact Checking Resources
- https://www.politifact.com/
- https://www.factcheck.org/
- https://www.snopes.com/
- https://www.opensecrets.org/
- https://reporterslab.org/fact-checking/ - Global Fact Checking Site
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