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Oh, you mean besides screaming into your organic, fair-trade pillow?

Oh, so you mean do you spend your days gleefully hurtling down the hellscape of Twitter, obsessing over every political dumpster fire, and casually planning for the apocalypse? Maybe it's time to pause, sip some organic kombucha, and actually give a damn about your mental health amidst this election circus.

Published October 7, 2024 at 6:02am by Nicole Villalpando

Election 20XX: The 'Take a Chill Pill' Guide for Liberal Snowflakes

Oh, you've binged all the debates, mainlined TV news, and doomscrolled your socials?

Feeling like America's on the edge of a fiery political abyss? Congrats, you're totally normal!

Nikki Stark, a licensed clinical social worker at Thriveworks, is seeing a lot of this. "It's very nerve-wracking to a lot of them," she said. "There's a lot of catastrophizing, a lot of black-and-white thinking."

Yes, sweet summer children, anxiety breeds more anxiety. Who knew?

Time to Put a Lid on the Election Kool-Aid

All that social media and TV news you're guzzling? It's like political poison, says Wendi Kozlowski, clinical director at Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center.

And those MAGA uncles and woke cousins driving you nuts? You can have meaningful convos without winning a medal in debate club, Stark says.

But if they're being disrespectful, "Ask for a politics break," Kozlowski suggests. Reframe family time to, you know, actual family time.

No, this doesn't mean ignoring the world. Find reputable sources (hello, NPR and PBS). Be intentional about what you consume.

But if you're doomscrolling like it's your job, "change the channel or avoid TV and social media," Kozlowski said. Your mental health will thank you.

Get Woke, Go Vote

Do something besides worrying. Register voters, work the polls, give rides, make your own voting plan.

De-Stress Like a Hippie

"We are looking for a balanced wellness," Kozlowski said.

Feeling anxious? Try this:

Breathe, meditate, be present.
Exercise (yes, even liberal arts majors can do it).
Make a gratitude list (#Blessed).
Hug a tree.
Do joyful stuff.
Volunteer.
Embrace a hobby. "It can be satisfying to do something to completion," Stark said.
Practice radical acceptance. You can't change the results, only your own vote.

Post-Election Day Care Package

Radical acceptance alert!

"Accept it for what it is," Stark said. "You can only control what you can control."

If you're feeling hopeless, constantly worried, can't sleep, have stress symptoms, don't wanna get out of bed, are irritable/angry, GET HELP:

Start with your primary care provider.
In Travis County, call Integral Care's support line: 512-472-4357 or dial 988.