Election Jitters? You are not alone.

Election Jitters?

It’s impossible to be sanguine on Election Day, in a nation so deeply and angrily divided over a clash of the most basic of values and beliefs.

There is an unmistakable, palpable tension shaking our entire country today, on this incredibly stressful Election day; fear, anxiety, dread, anger, divisiveness seem to infuse the very air of this lovely autumn day. Threats of violence are real. Threats to our sense of democratic process are real. I haven’t met a soul in the last few weeks not feeling it and today, those emotions are peaking.  Not sleeping well? Grinding your teeth?  Stress eating?  Working hard to stay focused? Google search data and therapists’ communication confirms that all of these symptoms have climbed even more exponentially than the recent surge of corona virus cases. The toll on our mental and physical health is astronomical.

Are you suffering today? My friend, you are not alone. You are not crazy or dysfunctional. You are not weak. You are human and part of an interdependent network of living beings who are all absorbing and breathing the stress of the current moment.

We’re undeniably entering a dark time this winter no matter what happens in the election.  Half the country will be devastated or angry either way.  In the setting of the worst national health crisis any of us have faced, the prospect of finding sustained serenity seems dim.  We can’t use most of our normal coping mechanisms, as friendship and social opportunities have been curtailed by COVID and many of our escapes (restaurants, bars, theaters) shuttered and dark.

But none of us are alone going through this journey.

How are you finding community to help get you through?

Some people are already gathering with a sense of purpose; to participate in this election as judges, protectors, protestors.  Some are gathering professionally,  preparing to defend the legal and legislative challenges that are almost entirely certain to arise after Election day ends.  

Some are gathering virtually in spiritual solidarity.  

Meditation groups are popping up everywhere.  I will join a Buddhist meditation group practicing Tonglen meditation - breathing in the negative emotions and pain of others with every in-breath, and transforming by sending out an expansive sense of peace and whatever will benefit others with every exhalation.  It awakens compassion.  It hopes to heal both the receiver and the sender and unite all living beings (across party lines!)Two of our local synagogues are hosting virtual solidarity events - of prayer, song, and study - to reunite a divided community in a time of spiritual crisis.

And many of us are gathering virtually/socially with friends, in lighter but unmistakeable support and solidarity.

Last winter I ran a “30 day Song Challenge” on my Facebook page which ran into 3 months; those of you involved know it build a micro community of people who hadn’t met in real life, but supported each other through laughing and listening together.  Today the challenge was “post a song about how you feel today,” and the lively exchange - songs of hope and optimism, songs of anger, songs of sadness and fear - have created an exchange that boosts all.  (It is still running and I’ve made the post public if you want to jump in!) And tonight I’ll host a few Zoom based happy hour checkins with a number of friends, both in town and geographically remote. We will raise a glass together and wish each other health and support.  (Let me know if you want to be included, particularly if you will otherwise be alone tonight!)

How are you creating a support community? How are you coping today? Feel free to share your ideas.

Remember and appreciate the fact that you are not alone in your anxiety or distress.

If you need support to get through this crazy time, do not hesitate to reach out, however that looks for you.  To a faith community. To friends. To family.  To an online support. Or to an Integrative Health Coach (like me) who can offer nonjudgemental, affirmative support and some relief.

We will have many more weeks to find our resilience and stamina through a challenging time.  

For now, find ways, big or small, to take good and compassionate care of yourself. In the next few days, I will write more short posts on quick ways you can build micro resilience. 

For now, remember to breathe.  Stay safe.  Rest and nourish yourself.

And let me know if I can help.

You are not alone.