How to Survive the Last 10 Days Before the Election

I am exhausted. And stressed. Every day when my alarm goes off, I paw the bedside table until my fingers find my cellphone, then I bring the phone into reading position and check the latest news headlines. There is always – I mean always – at least one story related to the election. Usually it is not good. Rants about Mexicans, Muslims, fat women. The email server story that won’t go away. It’s enough to raise my blood pressure and give me a headache. Sound familiar?

10 days to go. Need some inspiration? Those with election fatigue UNITE! Here are some ways to beat the blues.

• Do as I say, not as I do. Do not pick up that cellphone first thing in the morning. This may be a challenge. Old habits die hard. I’ve gotten a little better about it. I look out the window, try to figure out the weather, THEN reach for the cellphone. It’s a start!
• Put your TV in the shed. Or the garage. Or somewhere you will not watch it. Or just block CNN, Fox and MSNBC. Seriously, limit your TV news time. You only need to hear the Breaking News once to absorb it – that means 5 minutes max.
• Routine. One that does not involve repeated peeks at the news. Remember what you used to do before 2016? Try going back to that.
• Meditate. This is a good habit during any time of stress. Do nothing for a few minutes. Feel the stress leave your body. Ahhhhhh.
• Vote Early. I did this. And, you know what?! A burden lifted off me right away. I’ve made my choice. I don’t need to weigh the issues any more. I’ve moved on….a little bit.
• Work the Election. Still feeling anxious? Sign up to help your candidate. Being involved can make you feel more productive and less out of control. In the end, you’ll have done everything you can.

I’ve been thinking about that song “Wake me up when September ends.” Is it November 9th yet?!

What do you do to cope with election fatigue?