I get so nervous to go to bed on election night! (Also: everything’s harder at night ) Since I’m in Berlin this year, 6 hours ahead of some of y’all, I’ll actually be able to watch some of this live. GULP. But here’s a few ways I’ll be keeping calm:
Breathe. Method doesn’t matter. 95% of my day I am not conscious of my breathe. So I need to set alarms and write notes to myself about it. Otherwise, I don’t think about it unless I’m in a flow exercise and the instructor mentions it!
What is it about stained glass that inspires deep breathing?
Move. Shortly after I arrived in Berlin, I eliminated my early morning walk. I reasoned that without a car, I would be walking more AND I knew I wanted to get back to the online workout platform I use. These days, I start my morning with a 15-25 min flow/strength class. I do another (strength usually) class before lunch and/or a flow or strength class before bed.
Eat well. One of my not so secret tips to managing overwhelm is feeding myself very well. I don’t mean “no carbs” diet culture garbage, I mean food that feels restorative, tastes good, fills me with pleasure. Snack Service Phoebe fig jam, date hummus (right June??) or matzoh ball soup. My husband’s veggie-filled cheesy eggs and his roasted potatoes with some cracked chili flakes on top. Sometimes it’s food I make, more often not. Something not coming out the way I want it does not help my stress!
Restorative apricot and apple streusel pastries!!
Rest. Probably take a rest after lunch. The house is quiet and I will have done my morning writing. I like to set an alarm on Libby so I can listen to my current book for 15 minutes, then drift off a bit. Remember: rest not only refuels your heart, mind, body, creativity, rest is resistance it is your “divine and human right to do so.” {Pre-order Tricia Hershey’s 2nd book here.}
Breathe again. Set the alarm, Elizabeth!
How will you keep calm on Election Day? Are you working the polls? Out of the country? In surgery? At work? What will you do to ease your nerves next Tuesday?
Excellent tips! I'm not sure how I'll keep calm on Election Day, but I know I need to try. This is such an important election and I think there will be unrest no matter who wins. I would actually be happy if I was overseas right now!
Agree, Melissa. I’m dreading the unrest. And yes, glad to be overseas but my gosh, the deluge of email, texts, news (on the screens even in the SBahn & UBahn stations and actual newspapers on newstands) is A LOT here too. Nothing like in the US of course but oooof!
I have thought hard on this question. On another note I wish I had hummus with fig jam! She hasn’t offered this year. Back to the topic. I will be nervous! I might go to bed and like waiting for Santa , I will wake up to happiness or disappointment . This election has been difficult . I am a republican and have been since 1976. I have never witnessed anything like this election. I don’t agree with all of my parties views by any means. I do not post on social media, because I do not want to offend anybody that I know and respect. That being said those same people don’t mind offending me! I hope whoever is our future president will be able to unite this country again. When I was growing up things were so different. So the answer to your question is , I have no idea how I will calm myself! A nice dinner, a glass of good wine, off to bed and hopefully be able to sleep. I can absolutely see myself waking and checking the news around 3 or 4’am! I pray that people will act civil either way !
This is one of the only times in my 52 years where I'm more worried about other people -people of color esp Black americans, my trans +LGBTQi friends, low income women - than I am about being seen as offensive. I'm so grateful for the republicans who have seen t*ump as the monster and danger he is and have voted for Harris/Walz. It takes all of us. <3
Excellent tips! I'm not sure how I'll keep calm on Election Day, but I know I need to try. This is such an important election and I think there will be unrest no matter who wins. I would actually be happy if I was overseas right now!
Agree, Melissa. I’m dreading the unrest. And yes, glad to be overseas but my gosh, the deluge of email, texts, news (on the screens even in the SBahn & UBahn stations and actual newspapers on newstands) is A LOT here too. Nothing like in the US of course but oooof!
I keep getting TONS of postcards in my mailbox. Will be really glad when that’s over, too!
Oh my gosh, the physical mail! I bet you are just inundated!
It’s been ridiculous!
I have thought hard on this question. On another note I wish I had hummus with fig jam! She hasn’t offered this year. Back to the topic. I will be nervous! I might go to bed and like waiting for Santa , I will wake up to happiness or disappointment . This election has been difficult . I am a republican and have been since 1976. I have never witnessed anything like this election. I don’t agree with all of my parties views by any means. I do not post on social media, because I do not want to offend anybody that I know and respect. That being said those same people don’t mind offending me! I hope whoever is our future president will be able to unite this country again. When I was growing up things were so different. So the answer to your question is , I have no idea how I will calm myself! A nice dinner, a glass of good wine, off to bed and hopefully be able to sleep. I can absolutely see myself waking and checking the news around 3 or 4’am! I pray that people will act civil either way !
This is one of the only times in my 52 years where I'm more worried about other people -people of color esp Black americans, my trans +LGBTQi friends, low income women - than I am about being seen as offensive. I'm so grateful for the republicans who have seen t*ump as the monster and danger he is and have voted for Harris/Walz. It takes all of us. <3