Election Anxiety, Staying Calm and Daylight Saving Time: What I’m Reading This Week

I’ve been feeling on the precipice for the past few weeks, what with the changing of seasons, upcoming general election, Halloween, Daylight Saving and a whole host of other things that are coming to a groundswell.

I didn’t anticipate feeling so overwhelmed, and I’ve been struggling to honor all my commitments. My partner kindly told me that I need to prioritize my mental health. He reassured me that it’s OK if I need to opt out of something in order to focus my energies inward.

So, as we enter November, I am consciously choosing not to make any social plans or add more onto my proverbial plate until I have satisfactorily addressed everything that’s on it now. It’s such a freeing thought. For the past few days, I’ve been feeling more content and confident about my decision; I feel empowered to enjoy the process rather than rush through it.

Whatever you are working through or dealing with now, I hope that you’re able to gain a perspective that helps you find joy and gratitude, even in the most challenging hours. Until next time, stay safe and be well!

Election Anxiety

Election Day can’t come soon enough for most people. The essential dead heat between the candidates means that folks are receiving a steady stream of leaflets in the mail, watching attack ads on TV and fielding calls or text messages from volunteers, not to mention whatever else they happen to see or choose to seek out, either online or in person. It’s, in a word, a lot.

A recent poll from the American Psychological Association found that 77% of those surveyed are stressed about the future of the nation. Most respondents said they also are stressed about the economy (73%) and the presidential election (69%). This holds true across party lines.

So, if you have noticed that you are more distracted and are having trouble focusing, whether at work or at home, you’re not alone.

“It’s very overwhelming,” says psychologist Thea Gallagher, a clinical associate professor at New York University's Langone Health and co-host of the Mind in View podcast, to Fortune. “We are all getting completely inundated. I’m getting multiple texts a day about the campaign. It’s really hard to block it out and stay focused.”

When you analyze the political discourse, there’s an abundance of negativity, catastrophizing, fear, lack of control and feelings of uncertainty and helplessness, among other powerful emotions.

Author Korin Miller spoke to mental health professionals who offer some great advice on how to overcome or redirect these emotions.

I highly recommend you read the article to better understand these trying time.

Staying Calm

When I saw this piece on staying calm, I knew I needed to include it in my roundup. I also knew I needed to put it into practice after attending a 45-minute meditation session, during which my inner voice could not be silenced for more than a few seconds.

Sara Lazar, associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, explains that there are tangible health benefits to meditation, including lowering high blood pressure, stress and chronic pain.

"It's become really clear that all of our experiences shape our brain in one way or another," Lazar said to Harvard Health Publishing. "A lot of people talk about meditation being a mental exercise. Just as you build your physical muscles, you can build your calm muscles. Meditation is a very effective way of training those muscles."

This article offers suggestions for how to incorporate meditation into your daily life. I personally find that going to a third space is the most conducive way for me to quell my inner voice. I’ve also found the practice of yoga and Pilates are just as effective at guided meditations.

I encourage you to read the full article, because we’d all be better off if we adopted a “too blessed to be stressed” mindset.

Daylight Saving Time

I am probably one of the few people who love Daylight Saving Time.

When we change the clocks, it feels like I’m getting back to nature. I used to fight the extra hours of darkness, but now I accept them. In fact, I now use the time to do things that energize me and bring me peace.

It’s times like these that I remind myself that time is a social construct. While we do have to adhere to the clock for practical reasons, there is so much joy in listening to what the body needs.

Inc. offers some interesting facts and helpful advice about the time switch. For instance, did you know that most countries do not observe Daylight Saving Time? Or that DST can cause some people to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder?

My local fire department puts a banner out to remind folks that this is also the time to change the batteries in smoke detectors. And yes, of coures, this is a great opportunity to practice safe behaviors. This year, I’m also challenging myself to think about what else I can recharge and reset.