Your Low-Stress Guide to Leveling-Up Your Bedtime Routine
Are You Burnt Out or Depressed?
With so muchpolitical polarizationand media frenzy, its easy to feel emotionally drained, frustrated, or on edge.
But recognizing your triggers, setting boundaries, and being intentional about self-care can help you take back control.
Try out the following tips:
1.
Is it certain conversations, social media, or news broadcasts?
Stay informed, but set limits
Find yourself glued to the TV?
NYC-based psychologist
Listening to news coverage repeatedly is stressful, Stratyner says.
While its important to stay informed, setting limits for yourself is just as crucial.
Set specific times for consuming news and take breaks to avoid becoming overwhelmed, he says.
Maybe you stick to checking the news every hour or half hour instead of consistently.
give a shot to avoid the arguments and instead aim for respectful, constructive chatsor none at all.
Do whatevers going to help lower your stress.
This also applies to online discussion.
You dont have to dive into every debate on social media or chat forum.
If someones post offends you, feel free to block or mute the person, Stratyner adds.
NYC-based psychologist
This can make all the difference to alleviating stress when the stakes feel so high, Stratyner says.
And maybe after the venting sesh, you switch the topic to something fun and light.
Even somequick breathwork exercisesto relieve stress can work wonders.
Fit in a workout
Nothing helps to calm the nerves like a good sweat session.
Exercise is a natural stress reliever, Stratyner says.
Hes rightit boosts those feel-good endorphins and improves mood.
Even a brisk 10-minute walk around the block can help release anxious energy on election night.
(Just try not to bring, or look at, your phone!)
Practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
Your mind is racing.
Your heart is pounding.
With all the stress and (hope?
Meditation and mindfulness are great options, as they help you slow down and put things into perspective.
Not sure where to start?
Apps likeCalmorHeadspacecan offer guided meditations to ease anxiety and help you sleep better, Stratyner adds.
This involves sticking to yourbedtime routineor instilling some new practices that help you wind down.
Begin by shutting off the TV and trying to stop scrolling on social media.
The screens may overstimulate your brain and affect your sleep, Stratyner says.
That snacking urge is often amplified.
Dont get us wrong: Its totally okay to indulge in some comfort food when you need it.
Instead, think about having food and drinks thatll help you relax.
For example, a warm cup ofchamomile teais a nice option for calming the nerves, he says.
If yourmind is racing, try journaling, Stratyner says.
You may find this helps you get to sleep faster, too.
Focus on what you’re free to do about it, Stratyner says.
Remind yourself that you voted, and you are no longer in control of the outcome.
Channel your energy into volunteering for a cause you believe in or participating in community discussions, Stratyner says.
This can help you regain a sense of agency and purpose.
What is an election night hangover?
Say youve survived election night and did all the things to reduce your stress and keep calm.
Unfortunately, theres still a chance you might feel like crap the next day.
Depending on the results, it might also bring stress, anger, or excitement.
If you get hit with an election hangover, its important to slow down and take care of yourself.
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