Election Stress Management Plan (not A Political Debate Thread)

[Justmehere]

This thread is for discussion of coping tools and is NOT for the purpose of political discussion or debate. Please do not comment about candidates, ballot measures, or parties. Period. Please respect this limit on the discussion in order to keep this thread focused and on-topic.

I am posting it in the politics/news/debates sub forum because it is still about the news. That being said, moderators - please feel free to move or do whatever you feel is best about this thread.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With that out of the way, on to the topic of the thread: election stress management plans.

A lot of people are pretty stressed about the upcomming US presidential election. PTSD + election stress = our stress cups are more likely to overflow... unless we have a plan and strategies on board to manage the stress. (Read more about the stress cup here: The Ptsd Cup Explanation)

We talk a lot about trigger planning on the forums, but not in much detail as to what those plans entail. Since this news event is like to affect and upset a fair number of people, no matter the outcome, I wanted to start a conversation about how to handle that added stress.

What is your election stress plan or tool kit?

My own plan includes:
Going on a long run with my dog first in the morning the day after the election
Having coffee with a good friend
Keeping the news off on Election Day (I'll be working all day anyhow)!
Carrying mints with me (which I find to be very grounding)
..... (I need to add more to this list)

 

[joeylittle]

I've moved this to the anxiety forum.

If this thread deviates from the topic of managing stress, it will be locked.

Examples - this is not an exhaustive list, just meant to provide some idea of what I mean:

• Talking about why candidate X causes you anxiety will get the thread locked.
• Assigning the relief of your anxiety to a particular outcome of the election (if candidate X wins, I'll be relieved) will get the thread locked.
• Advocating for voting/not voting (no vote is a vote for candidate X) will get the thread locked.

I hope the posters on this thread can work together to keep it open; it could be a useful tool.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Wow! What a good idea! I'm already dissociating about it, but instead I will make it a baking day. I will bake assorted quick breads and listen to books on tape. I have therapy that day, and I know my son will come home from school talking about it so I should be prepared. Thanks for this.

 

[Muttly]

The timing of this is interesting. I was just thinking I need to fill out my ballet. I realize this is pre-election day but it's the first step for me to get through the election. So, hmm... what will help me with the ballot?

I won't make myself do it all in one sitting (I'm normally an all or nothing guy)
I will drink something nice while I'm doing it
I'll play a CD I really like
I will doodle on the election booklet

Also, I've been mostly avoiding the news (have tracked weather and a few local news stories). I've barely looked at Facebook. And... I left the room when a conversation about a political candidate was happening which was a huge step for me.

 

[Lucycat]

I have been amazed about the amount of coverage it has also been getting in the UK. I know your election processes are far different to ours, but it is incredibly long and drawn out. I can see that this will so easily increase anxiety as it has the constant drip, drip effect and there is no let up.

I don't know how your news coverage is on an election day, but here you don't really know the outcome until sometime the next day - until then just speculation which also increases worry. I can see that planning to be busy and avoiding news/ speculation has to be a good thing.

 

[Justmehere]

Thanks @joeylittle for moving the thread and making the boundaries clear!

I will make it a baking day. I will bake assorted quick breads and listen to books on tape.

This is a great idea! I baked this weekend and it was a good outlet for me. Bread sounds yummy.... :)

So, hmm... what will help me with the ballot?

I won't make myself do it all in one sitting (I'm normally an all or nothing guy)
I will drink something nice while I'm doing it
I'll play a CD I really like
I will doodle on the election booklet

I didn't even think of ballot completion related stress - good ideas! (Taking notes for myself and my own plans.)

@Lucycat - our pre-election campaign season is usually pretty long, but it's been extra long and messy this year. It's a complete unknown as to when the results will be finalized. It could be hours or months, especially if there is a post-election court battle. All the more reason for a plan. :) I really like the "keep calm and carry on" signs (and now meme) that started in the U.K. and recently became popular again, and I hope that Americans will adopt a smillar approach to this election.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Honestly, I just won't be watching any of it. Not one bit. Makes me crazy, and I'm crazy enough. So only watching shows I've got on DVR for that day.

Will also be working during the day. Online games. Reading books...

 

[Thizette]

The timing of this is interesting. I was just thinking I need to fill out my ballet. I realize this is p...

About leaving the room: My partner respects my limits on political discussions. We can do it sometimes, between us, and when I give him a five minute warning when I feel I can't do it anymore. He's really good about wrapping up his thoughts and telling me breakfast was delicious.

I have a real problem with other people, though. In social settings they want to talk about their candidate or anti-candidate and I try to use one of those socially acceptable ways to say you don't want to discuss something, and it doesn't much work. So I can basically wander off and be by myself, or schmooze with people I should be schmoozing with. I get real quiet and they look at me like I'm crazy. I'm just ready for it to be over.

I'm relieved that we moved to a mail-in state so I don't have to physically go to the polls.

On election day I will--

Finish cleaning the garage
Go roller skating

The week after the election I will--

Avoid news sources and probably also Facebook
Try to be outside as much as possible

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Oh god thank you for this thread!

I haven't thought much about election day stress tool kit. Been so busy using tools getting there.

Well, Im working too but playing some nice soothing music would be nice. Maybe reading some nice, soothing, funny quotes or stuff I find on the net. Hmmm, looking at cute puppies & kittens? Lol. It feels odd to plan ahead but a damn good idea! I'll think of more!

 

[GrayOwl]

I plan on ignoring 99.9% of all media coverage.
It is all like a very loud white noise.... or more like a car alarm going off next to me that won't shut off.
Why do I want to listen to it?
Kind of like a far off college football game - I'll just check the score and see who won the next day when it's all over.
I don't need some commentator's view of what his other mothers other brothers mother's brother thinks about the news.....
Ice cream, a good book, Netflix, .....plenty of diversions.....
A long walk.....maybe to Canada.....and beyond....

 

[EveHarrington]

I can't handle it!

I wish someone would start a news network that was 100% straight shooting. It's the convoluted ness of inane and highly improbable situations that is spiking my anxiety.

Not sure what I'll be doing. Maybe sleeping! Lol.

 

[The Albatross]

I'm dealing with my election stress by shoving my face in it by doing a civic commitment as a Poll Inspector... it's an exposure on several levels. On election day I will be up front and dealing with the public for 12 hours - 14 total as we have to be there an hour before and around an hour or so (problems not withstanding) afterward. My reward for doing three elections this year is that there are none next year.

I scan for opportunities for assisting parents with young children and the elderly.

I bring peppermint tea, sour altoids, and practice face to face contact with the public.

When confronted with stress, my inclination now is to do rather than fret. On the back end, I will resume day to day life as usual and no matter what the outcome know that my participation made the election cycle lawful and that I was able to endure 12 hours of whatever anyone wants to throw at me (just stand there and take it cuz I'm not allowed to have any opinion whatsoever) and I'll be able to feel pretty darned good about that.