Today is a critical day for our nation. Each of us has been empowered to use our voice, cast our vote and make a difference. Being empowered is having the freedom and authority to do something. And we do! It is a freedom and a privilege we should not take for granted.
Some people will report a significant amount of election stress today. It may unconsciously prompt trauma responses such as fight, flight, freeze, fawn or flock.
Fight: When your body perceives a threat and responds with a physical reaction. This can include the urge to lash out, grinding your teeth, crying in anger, or stomach pain.
Flight: When your body perceives that it cannot overcome a painful or dangerous situation so it gives you a surge of adrenaline to “flee.” We notice we feel restless, fidgety, anxious, and have the urge to leave the places or conversations we are in.
Freeze: When we don’t think we can fight or flight, our body will freeze up. We don’t feel confident or decisive. We feel powerless and notice a sense of dread, feeling stiff, cold or numb.
Fawn: When we feel powerless about how something will turn out, one response we may engage in is fawning. Some examples include people-pleasing, being overly agreeable, surprising your own emotions or needs to get validation from others, not setting our own boundaries.
Flock: When we feel alone in our fear, we may seek comfort in the collective, by trying to be around others all the time to avoid our own thoughts or emotions.
Many times, we don’t even realize our bodies and our minds are responding from these positions. From a position of empowerment, we would encourage you to move into Election Day with intentional responses.
Here are five to consider:
Feel your emotions. Do a quick check in with yourself and finish these prompts: I feel…., I want…., I need…With a quick pause for reflection you will move into the world with more self-awareness today.
Focus on what is “inside your hula hoop.” Notice what you can control and what you cannot. Once you have cast your vote, focus your time, energy and attention on what is right in front of you. Be present in your work. Feed yourself a healthy meal. Play with your kids. Be kind to your neighbors.
Find good in the world today. Go on a mental scavenger hunt looking for moments of beauty, compassion, and joy. You might also subscribe to some positive news, such as https://nicenews.com/
Free the stress in your body with extra movement today. Get in a few extra steps, start or end the day with some cozy yoga. You can also release stress through “the physiological sigh”
Forget the negative self-talk and use positive, grounding statement today, such as: “I have done my part.” “I feel confident in my choices.”
“I contributed where I was able to.”
