In case you didn’t know, Election Day is tomorrow. Most members of the New School community still have to attend classes, show up to work and keep up with their other responsibilities. Some of us will have to spend the day waiting to vote in person. Some of us have already voted and are feeling like there’s nothing more we can do. Some of us aren’t eligible to vote in the United States. The Free Press staff met this afternoon to brainstorm some ideas and talk about how we are attempting to cope during this stressful time. Here are some ways you can keep yourself sane during this tumultuous week:
Practice Self-Care
- Take a long, hot shower or bath.
- Take time to do your full skincare routine if you have one.
- Take a good nap.
- Spend time with your animal: pet them, read books to them, make them wear cute pajamas like a baby.
- Spiritual practices, meditation, or worship.
- Ignore your homework and clear your schedule.
- Learn some breathing exercises, like Tao breathing.
- Be extra kind and gentle with yourself, and prioritize your mental health.
- Cuddle with someone.
- Learn a new trick, like a card trick.
Get Something Done
- Stick to your 2 week Chloe Ting workout program.
- Try reviving your succulents.
- Focus on school work. Take time doing assignments that are due this week.
- Edit on Premiere Pro CC.
- Play an instrument and write a song.
- Get your body moving, whether that’s going on a walk, run, practicing yoga, or stretching.
- Go for a long run in whatever nature available.
Connect with the Earth
- Buy a plant, or many plants, or all of the plants.
- Get outside and connect with nature! Breathing fresh air and looking up at the sky is a nice way to ground yourself and to remember that we are specks of nothingness in an infinite universe.
- Are you close to a lake or a park? Take a walk and take your camera (if you have one) and take some photos.
- If it’s your thing, smoke (organic) joints with relaxing herbs like chamomile, jasmine, damiana, and/or cannabis; teas also work!
- Prepare your oil diffuser with lavender oil.
Get Involved in Your Community
- Go to a protest.
- Funnel your anger or sadness into productivity for a cause you believe in.
- Volunteer in your community.
- If your politics aim for emancipation and freedom, remember that this election does not change what our next steps are. The goal is still liberation, and neither Trump nor Biden can stop it.
- Engage in mutual aid with your communities.
- Take to the streets and stay involved with your political community.
Consume Media Thoughtfully
- Take a break from social media.
- Binge watch your favorite TV shows such as Glee, iZombie, Lucifer or K-Dramas.
- Ignore any news for the week.
- Be mindful of your news consumption and make sure to look for verifiable and reliable sources.
- Look for good news.
- Find memes online about the election to ease your nerves.
- Turn off text notifications and do not respond to those whom you do not want to discuss politics with.
- Listen to Mariah Carey.
- Relax with a nice book.
Comfort Yourself with Food
- Look up new recipes.
- Attempt to bake a cake or bread.
- Eat some pasta.
- Make a cup of herbal tea.
- Cook for yourself and/or your friends.
Be With Each Other
- Find a support group — hop on a Zoom call with your friends.
- Play Uno and Dominoes with the family.
- Sit outside (with jackets and masks) with your neighbors and talk about random stuff.
- Surround yourself with loved ones, whether it’s in person or digitally.