Self-Care for Election Day(s)

Well friends, it's here - Election Day is around the corner and the process of tuning in to hear the results will likely last longer than just "one day."  Leading up to this day - a lot of effort is put into ensuring that people have a plan for voting (transportation, time off work etc).  I want to ask you to make a plan for self-care on election day (and beyond).

Here are some suggestions for how to tend to your mental and emotional well-being over the next week.  Several of these suggestions are already floating around social media in various posts, share them liberally, and be sure to add your own suggestions!  

1. TURN OFF THE NEWS on Tuesday.  Let's face it, we won't know much on Tuesday night - it will take a while for polls to close and results to come in - but the news media would like us to think we need to watch wall-to-wall coverage of the drama unfolding.  We don't.  If you do watch, walk away often to do other things, turn the volume down and take breaks.  Tuesday night would be a good night go out for dinner or a movie - occupy yourself with other things, while the results come in.

2. BINGE YOUR FAVORITE SERIES - find a good rom-com, or series that you love and make some popcorn.  Remember laughter is good medicine for the body and the soul - so watch something that puts a smile on your face!

3. BREATHE - in through the nose and out through the mouth.  You can find lots of great somatic breathing techniques online and videos to help you.  Getting plenty of oxygen in your system via breath work and stretching is critical in keeping your nervous system healthy.  

4. DRINK - Lots of water.  Preferably ph95 or akalin water.... you may be tempted to drink other products that you know are not good for you - save it for a moment of celebration, rather than calming nerves.

5. MOVE - take frequent walks, getting outside and breathing fresh air and connecting to nature will do wonders for your mind and the movement of your body and muscles will be vital to your health.

6. GET AN ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE - shifting your mindset when your nervous or axious is an important tool and one of the easiest ways to do it is to focus on what you are grateful for.  Count the ways, make a list, challenge yourself to see how many things you can name.  This will put your mind into a empowered state of creativity and engagement.

7. PRAY - Pray affirmative and uplifting words for yourself, your family, friends and community.  Pray for your nation and all of its elected leaders.  Pray for the poll workers and county officials who have the world watching them.  We just completed 100 Days of Mindful Practice - you can find all 100 of those prayers and mindful messages here.  Ernest Holme's prayer for our nation is also a great place to put your focus, you can find it here.

8. EAT HEALTHY - I know its tempting to hunker down and bulk up on your favorit snacks, but keep in mind you want to give your body healthy fuel and sources of energy.  Make wise choices with your body, and save teh endulging treats for a moment of celebration.  

9. CALL, TEXT and CONNECT - Remember that you are not alone.  everyone will be going through an emotional journey - some may be feeling it more than others - be compassionate and kind and remember your not alone.

10. DANCE, SING and MOVE - crank up your favorite mucic and have a dance party - don't let negative or anxious energy settle into your body, shake it off, out and through.  Share your play list online, post videos of your dance party or call friends and family to share with them; Joy is infectious!  

Take GOOD care of yourself, we will get through this together and then the work of rebuilding the bidges to our common humanity will begin.  Check here for some resources to get us started!