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After a high-stakes election night, millions of Americans may be experiencing mixed emotions that they don’t know how to process.
Whether you’re dealing with excessive stress and anxiety, or simply feeling anxious about the future, here’s what you need to know.
What are healthy ways to process intense emotions after an election?
Dr. Ashley Zucker, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino, emphasized the importance of giving yourself time to feel all your emotions and not letting them consume you.
“While it’s important to observe and tolerate your feelings and emotions rather than ignore them, if they are interfering with your daily life, consider getting some help to manage them. It could be an indication that we need to ask,” Zucker told KTLA5.
How can you balance staying informed without being overwhelmed by the news?
Zucker noted that while it’s important to stay informed, it’s also okay to take a break from the constant stream of information.
“Set a timer to read or watch the news for a certain amount of time and then turn it off. It may be helpful to turn off news and social media notifications on your phone, at least temporarily. Exposure. “Limiting but not avoiding the news completely can be a delicate balance,” Zucker said.
She also offered advice on how to avoid doomscrolling on social media.
“You may need to set a separate timer and not be able to resume reading or watching until the timer goes off. Look for other media to distract you. Maybe play a game instead. Turn off notifications on your phone, at least for now. If you can’t stop, consider temporarily deleting certain apps.
iPhone users can take advantage of “Focus” mode to disconnect from social media. Apple’s Screen Time feature also helps users limit the time they spend on individual apps. According to The Verge, Android users can limit their online time using the Digital Wellbeing feature.
Would you recommend specific self-care practices to reduce stress during politically tense times?
“Try to maintain a regular schedule, eat healthy food, get good sleep, and be physically active as much as possible. Taking breaks from the news and political talk can also be helpful. Read books, watch interesting TV shows and movies, listen to music,” she said.
Mindfulness and meditation can also help reduce election-related stress. Zucker recommends:
Take a deep breath and count backwards from 10. Think through your five senses. What do I see now? What do I hear? What am I touching? What do I taste like? And what do I smell? Take a moment to focus on your breathing. If stressful or random thoughts come to mind, don’t fight them. Let them exist, then imagine placing them on a cloud and watching them float away.
How can you prevent election stress from affecting your sleep and physical health?
People must remember to take care of themselves.
“Stay on a regular schedule to maintain your sleep cycles. If you’re having trouble sleeping, turn off your devices and news notifications at least an hour before bed. Do some exercise during the day, “Try to eat healthy foods. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to let go of your routine and eating habits,” Zucker said.
“If your sleep has been significantly affected, you are feeling unwell in an unusual way, or you are unable to participate in your normal activities and feel that your anxiety, mood, and emotions are interfering with your ability to do so, To make it work, seek professional help. A good place to start is with your doctor.”
How can you avoid conflicts with family members and friends who have different political views?
As the holiday season approaches, many people will be spending more time with their immediate family, relatives, and friends. Zucker offers advice for dealing with interactions with people with different political views.
“Try to remember why you became friends in the first place. If you’re a family member, think about what you have in common. What interests do you share with people outside of politics? Try to find common ground. It also helps to remember why you care about them in the first place. You might consider agreeing not to talk about politics right now. It’s okay to set boundaries.
Finally, experts recommend that for those feeling discouraged or discouraged by the election, get involved by volunteering or donating to organizations that align with your values.
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