In the wake of an intense and often divisive election season, many people experience a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from hope and relief to disappointment and anxiety. The post-election period is a time of reflection, adjustment, and, for many, heightened stress and feelings of anxiety.

Regardless of your political stance, the emotional toll of the election cycle can linger, affecting your day-to-day peace and sense of security. While it’s natural to feel some tension, there are ways to process these feelings healthily and regain a sense of calm and connection to yourself and others. Let’s explore strategies to support you in recentering during this period of uncertainty and adjustment.

Allow Yourself to Process

Honouring and acknowledging your emotions is essential rather than pushing them away. Election-related stress can manifest in a variety of ways, from tension headaches, disrupted sleep, and difficulty focusing to heightened signs of anxiety. Allow yourself to process what you’re feeling without judgment. This could mean taking a few minutes each day to journal, share your thoughts with someone you trust, or simply sit with your feelings and body responses. Your emotions are a valid and very real response to a charged environment, so remind yourself that it’s okay to feel those emotions deeply. 

Reflection Exercise: Take a few minutes to reflect on and journal your feelings. Name each emotion and note any physical sensations you’re experiencing. This simple practice can help externalize your feelings, making them more manageable and less overwhelming.

Engage in a Media Detox

With the intensity of election news, social media, online bots, and constant updates, it’s easy to feel emotionally and physically overwhelmed. Continuous exposure can fuel anxiety and leave you feeling powerless. Taking a break from news updates, especially social media, is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress.

Take the time to set boundaries with your media consumption—consider checking the news once in the morning and then putting it aside for the rest of the day. Incorporate or participate in activities that bring you joy or help to increase relaxation levels, such as reading a book, spending time outdoors, or catching up with a loved one.

Tip: If you’re finding it difficult to disconnect completely, follow positive or neutral content that brings lightness and balance to your day. Curating your online experience can be a small but impactful way to protect your peace.

Practice Grounding Techniques

When stress levels are high, grounding exercises can help bring you back to the present and calm your nervous system. In other words, you can hack your neurological system out of ‘flight, fight, fawn, freeze’ to the ‘rest and digest/calm’ system. These techniques can ease anxiety by redirecting your focus away from overwhelming thoughts and returning you to the present moment.

One effective grounding exercise is a HeartField meditation, which involves focused, nasal breathing while concentrating on your heart space. With each inhale, imagine your breath filling your heart with calmness, exhale and release any tension or stress you hold. Want help with this? Download this free meditation and let me guide you through this practice to help you reset your neurological system.

Connect with Your Community

It’s all too common to feel isolated during times of political tension, especially if those around you hold differing views. Connecting to your community will be more essential now than ever. Seek connections that bring comfort and understanding. Talk to friends and family members who can listen without judgment, share common values, or simply offer a distraction. You may find that others are also feeling the weight of post-election stress and are eager to connect and support each other. Careful not to commiserate or engage in anxiety spirals, as that will only serve to make you feel worse.

You may wish to join a group or organization that supports a belief or cause that you are passionate about. Focusing on collective efforts to make positive change can be an empowering antidote to post-election anxiety. Contributing, even in small ways, reminds us of our shared humanity and ability to influence the world around us in meaningful ways.

Engage in Mindful Movement

Engaging in physical movement can be a powerful way to release tension and ease anxiety. Activities like yoga, walking, or even dancing in your living room can help release pent-up stress and bring you back into a grounded, present state. When we move mindfully, we shift our focus from our thoughts to the sensations in our body, giving the mind a much-needed break.

Consider trying a short, mindful walk outside if you can. Observe the colors, textures, and sounds around you. Let each step bring you into the present, calming your mind and grounding your body. If you prefer, a gentle yoga or stretching session can also be incredibly beneficial, helping release the physical manifestations of stress.

Reassess Your Priorities and Set Boundaries

After the intensity of an election season, you may notice a need to reassess what’s most important to you. Take this time to reflect on your values and set intentions for how you want to move forward.

Setting personal boundaries with work, social media, and even conversations around politics can support your mental well-being. You may need to consider setting boundaries with friends and family who want to engage in these discussions by expressing, “I love being with you, but I am taking a break from discussing politics right now.” This allows you to protect your energy and remain present with those around you without feeling overwhelmed or divided.

Personal Reflection: Ask yourself, “What matters most to me right now? What values do I want to prioritize in my daily life?” Reflecting on these questions can help center your focus and guide you toward choices that nourish your well-being.

Practice Gratitude

Gratitude may feel challenging to tap into during times of stress, but it’s one of the most effective ways to shift your mindset. When we focus on the more routine but meaningful aspects of our lives, we can cultivate a greater sense of appreciation that can help reduce our feelings of anxiety. This does not mean we ignore our challenges or bury our heads in the sand; instead, it’s a way to bring mindfulness and perspective to our lives.

Gratitude Exercise: You can start the morning with a simple moment of gratitude when you open your eyes. What is ONE thing you are grateful for in that moment? This often translates to ‘Thank you for another day with my family.’ You can also spend time writing three things for which you’re grateful. These can be as simple as your pet dog who is loving and warm on your sofa with you, to a great conversation with a friend, or the being able to take a walk and enjoy the nature and abundance all around you; this practice can help you see the small joys in each day, bringing moments of peace amid the stress.

Remember Self-Compassion

Finally, be gentle with yourself. Navigating the emotional terrain of post-election life can be taxing, and it’s easy to fall into self-criticism. Instead, approach yourself with compassion. Speak to yourself like a close friend going through a challenging time.

Remember, the stress you’re feeling doesn’t define you. It’s a temporary state, and by taking steps to care for your mental and emotional well-being, you’re moving toward a place of greater peace and resilience.

Embracing the Path Forward

The days following an election can feel uncertain, but with mindful practices, self-compassion, and community connection, you can more easily navigate this time. Allow yourself to feel, heal, and reconnect to what matters most. By centering yourself, you’re not only supporting your well-being but also bringing more peace into your world—one breath at a time.

Remember, you have the strength to find calm and the power to create a sense of grounding, no matter the outcome of an election.

If you or your team are looking for more support in managing stress and anxiety, releasing strong emotions, or moving forward, connect with me to explore the options and let’s start getting you on the path to wellness.