Election stress .... it's real, it doesn't descriminate, and everyone out there in DU land better be careful not to let it get the best of you!
I'll be the first one to admit that I've been extremely stressed of late and now I'm having major coughing attacks and chest tightness that I'm currently seeing a doctor for. I'm trying to manage my stress better so I'm reading a tremendous amount about stress and the effects of stress on the body. I started reading up on election stress and how many people are now suffering from it and even dying from it. The point of my thread is to merely bring it to everyone's attention and make sure everyone out there is taking care of themselves; especially those of you who ARE exprencing it.
Basically, what it boils down to is that the mind is a powerful thing. When your mind is put into very different and tedious circumstances such as the ups and downs in the polls, the negative campaign ads, negative news reports constantly pounding you every hour of every day, internet chat room battles, and all those around you each day who want to talk politics because we're being consumed by it daily.
As a result of this election, many people are reporting they are majorly stressed out. So much so that it's effecting their mental and physical state of health. I know that many people, such as myself, have enormous emotions involved with the election; let's face it .... there's a LOT at stake. I reading many complaints of the inability to sleep, mood swings, road rage, computer addiction to keep up with the news, and isolating yourself from normal social events only to watch the news to get continued updates about campaign news.
Listen, It's good to be excited and involved but something is not balanced if you are having sleeping problems, becoming easily agitated to the point of road rage, and glued to the television continually. This is not healthy. We have six weeks until the election, just enough time to develop an ulcer or to need a prescription for an anti-depressant. Listen, you've got to take care of yourself.
Writing this is actually helping me deal with my stress so thanks for listening. I want to offer you something in return so humor me for a while longer if you will. Here are five quick suggestions in dealing with your stress that I'd like to share:
1.Take a few minutes to exercise daily; everyone can squeeze in 15 to 30 minutes a day. Walking is a perfect way to unwind, or you could take your pet for a walk if you have one. If you try it I'm sure you will let me know that it is a great stress reliever. Studies show that regular exercise has some of the same effects as an anti-depressant.
2. Limit caffeine, especially after 4:30. - Why? Because caffeine will keep you awake at night and you need to get some sleep.
3. Light some candles around the house and play some soft relaxing music;Use candle light in your house in the evening instead of regular lighting (except for reading of course). Candle light is very relaxing and puts you in a mood to fall asleep, which is what you need to help you get through this election. Music is "food for ths soul" ... The right soft music coupled with candles may be just the right cocktail to get you the good nights sleep you've been hoping for.
3. Try to eat healthy as possible; you really don't need a lot of junk food. All of those carbs will surely effect your mood in an adverse way. Go for the fresh fruits and nautural snacks if you're going to snack. Grapes are an awesome evening snack ....
4. Cut back on watching the news; Yep, you heard me. Especially the hardcore 24/7 news channels that are absolutly pounding us with stressful stories on the election. If you dislike a particular political pundit because he or she comes across bias and one-sided, don't watch it just to hear what they have to say .... Seriously, you're hurting your own health by doing so. Try watching a comedy a comedy or pull out a movie from your DVD collection. Watch old sitcoms on one of those cable channels. The nostalgic stuff really has a way of taking you back to a more innocent time. I find this very helpful. I was actually watcing late night re-runs of "Love American Style" and "Laugh-In" the other night on one of those crazy cable channels. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Let's face it, we all need reasons to laugh with this economy.
5. Finally, spend time with family and friends just to have fun. Tell them that you are trying to take a chill pill from the election coverage. Tell them that you will not talk about the election for the entire evening or better yet, just enjoy your families company and don't even bring it up .... I'm taking my little boy out to the farm for a fall hot air balloon ride this weekend. We're both pretty excited about it.
Again, thanks for listening all. I hope my post will help somebody out there that is experiencing the same election stress that I've been the past few weeks. It's an important election, but remember this ...
NOTHING IS WORTH YOUR OWN HEALTH! With or without my constant interest in the final few week of this campaign, Sen. Obama will do fine if I'm watching or not.
Peace and God Bless!
President Decider
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