Navigating Election Season Stress: 6 Strategies to Empower Your Neurospicy Mind
Confident! Productive! Motivating! These are words I would like to use to describe my thinking habits. This is not always the case. It’s especially not the case during election season! I can get caught up in a negative spiral that leaves me feeling unworthy and exhausted. If you’re like me, finding my way out of this downward spiral can be a bit of a struggle.
Turning my negative thoughts into empowering ones is a valuable mental skill I have to practice daily. It makes a significant impact on my mood, motivation, and overall perspective on life.
I’ve heard people call this skill many things: growth mindset, positive self-talk, reframing, cognitive restructuring, checking the facts, or reprogramming your internal dialogue. Whatever you want to call it, the outcome is the same. It shifts your mindset to more balanced and hope-filled thinking habits. Transformation of the mind means having more frequent feelings of joy and optimism which can lead to greater emotional regulation and overall satisfaction with life. How we think matters! And it really matters right now!
Here are tips to shift your mindset and bust election season stress from a neurodiversity affirming therapist:
1) Practice Self-Compassion
What is conceived in the mind is carried out in the body. Positive and productive thinking has been linked to better physical health outcomes, such as improved immune function, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Feeling physically well also contributes to better emotional health, creating a positive feedback loop.
Be kind to yourself when you make mistakes or face setbacks. Everyone has tough moments, and it’s okay not to be perfect. Instead of “I can’t do anything right,” say “I’m doing my best, and I’ll keep trying.”
With an increased amount of stress due to election season, recognize that it’s normal to feel anxious during this time. Don’t judge yourself for feeling those emotions.
Remember that you can’t control everything. Create realistic and achievable goals with your involvement in the election process. Don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t meet all your goals.
Allow yourself to step away from the news or political conversations. Give yourself permission to take breaks.
2) Practice Gratitude
Focusing on what you’re thankful for shifts your attention from what's wrong to what's going well. Make a daily habit of listing three things you're grateful for. It helps retrain your brain to focus on positive aspects. I personally like to make use of post-it notes and place gratitude reminders all over my home. I look at it everyday and it often gives me the boost of confidence I didn’t know I needed.
Try to focus on positive news during this election season. Seeking out uplifting stories or positive news related to the election is important to counterbalance the negative news we might see.
Find ways to celebrate the small wins. Acknowledge even the smallest achievements during the election season. This may be through engaging in a meaningful conversation or casting your vote.
3) Engage in activities that bring joy or meaning
Even when you're feeling down, it can help reframe negative thought patterns and improve your mood. When I am feeling overwhelmed by stress, doing something productive like exercising at the gym gives me a sense of achievement and places me in an environment where I am surrounded by people who are taking care of themselves. It brings me joy to know I am too. It is especially important to find activities that bring you joy during a time that brings on extra stress. Maybe this is the perfect time to try out some new hobbies that interest you. Try a new craft, sport or cooking technique.
4) Surround Yourself with Positivity
Engage with people, media, or environments that uplift your mood and help to maintain a positive mindset. Spend time with friends who encourage and motivate you, rather than those who bring you down. Listen to inspirational podcasts or audiobooks or watch a funny movie.
Reach out to friends and family who can uplift you during this stressful time. Look for community groups, clubs or online communities focused on positivity and activism that inspire you.
5) Focus on Solutions, Not Problems
Shifting your focus from the problem to potential solutions reduces feelings of helplessness and opens up more productive thinking. Instead of thinking “This situation is hopeless,” ask, “What’s one small step I can take to improve things?” Then honor yourself and follow through on that one step.
Take this as an opportunity to gather with a group of friends or colleagues and come up with about potential solutions to shared concerns. Working with others can spark new ideas and inspire action.
6) Visualize Success
Envisioning positive outcomes can help reshape your thinking and reduce anxiety about challenges. It transforms your mind to what is possible! Stop fear of failure in its tracks by picturing yourself succeeding and experiencing joy or relief. Go the positive what if’s route instead. Engage all your senses on this path of visualizing success. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, what are the physical sensations of hopeful and empowering thoughts? Stay there for a while and enjoy.
When thinking about how you want the election to go, remember plans may change. Success may look differently than you originally thought. Be open to adjusting your visualization.
It’s important to remember that this takes practice, and progress might come slowly, but small shifts in thinking can create lasting changes over time. Even if the progress feels small, it is laying the foundation for lasting change.
Want to try these tools with the help of a neurodiversity-affirming therapist? Ready to change your mindset?
Every step you take toward understanding your thoughts and feelings can lead to greater clarity, allowing you to engage with the world in a more balanced way. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey! At Better Together Family Therapy we want to help you through this process. We’re here to help you understand your journey and your mind with neurodiversity-affirming therapy. If you’re ready to explore how our support can enhance your life follow the steps below.
Contact us here to request an appointment.
Learn more about neurodiversity by exploring our blogs.
Download our 3 election season stress busters below.
