
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
-Audre Lorde
Over the last few weeks I have been hearing from many clients, friends and colleagues about how overwhelmed and stressed they are feeling as a result of the profound negativity in this election season. For some it has triggered past trauma and abuse issues and they are feeling vulnerable and unsafe. I have experienced a pervasive feeling of anxiety both personally and from the overall atmosphere of the country.
So that encouraged me to write about how we can nurture ourselves during the last few weeks of this election so we don’t end up feeling completely drained and hopeless.
Recognizing the essential need to nurture our selves in times of challenge and times of ease is a central theme in most of my blogs. But when we are feeling anxious and overwhelmed it tends to be even more difficult to remember to do so, much less to follow through with the activities we know will support our health and wellbeing.
So let’s begin the process of self-nurturing by treating ourselves with kindness and compassion. Inviting in a spirit of curiosity and non-judgment, take a few deep breaths and check in with yourself asking the following questions:
- How am I feeling today?
- Where is there tension or tightness in my body?
- What are my thoughts focused on in this moment?
Pausing to connect to our breath and checking in with our emotions, body and thoughts allows us space to reconnect with ourselves and assess what we most need to do to nurture ourselves in this moment.
When we are connected with what we need in this moment, it is much easier to choose an activity that will truly refresh and nurture us. Don’t worry if you are not able to identify what you need at first, continue the process of checking in with yourself and over time this process will become easier.
Here is a list of nurturing activities to choose from to transform the negativity of this election season.
- Take a media or social media fast or limit how much time you spend watching and/or reading about the election.
Be intentional about when you engage with media and social media. If you are feeling really anxious when you wake up, change your morning routine and do not turn on the television, radio or go to Facebook until you have nurtured yourself. If you find yourself getting really upset while engaging in social media, step away and give yourself permission not to respond. Make empowered choices for yourself around media and social media so that you preserve your peace of mind.
- Take a walk in nature or go outside and connect with nature around you.
Most of my clients report feeling more peace and ease being in nature. We know that exercise is a wonderful stress reliever so go outside, get some fresh air and a new perspective. Nature helps us connect to the awe and wonder of being alive and is a powerful reminder of something bigger than our selves and this current political season.
- Take time to identify what you are grateful for in your life.
Gratitude practice is a powerful way to redirect your thoughts and transform your attitude. Even in the most challenging times, we can find things to be grateful for and infuse more positivity into our day.
- Take time to embrace joy and laughter.
Often when we are anxious and overwhelmed we forget how important it is to laugh and have fun. Find ways to cultivate joy in your day by calling a friend, playing a game, laughing, connecting with children and pets, watching the clouds and embracing the good in the world!
- Take time to intentionally breathe throughout the day and continue to reflect on what you need to do to care for yourself.
Pausing throughout our day allows us to reconnect to what is really important and not get swept up in the energy swirling around us. Pausing also allows us the space to make nurturing decisions and be more compassionate, kind and peaceful.
Regardless of the results of this election, nurturing ourselves so that we can be more compassionate, kind and peaceful is the most helpful thing we can do for ourselves and for our country. I hope you will join me in prioritizing self-nurturing so that we can be beacons of love and light in a world that so dearly needs it.
May you embrace nurturing peace in the world from the inside out!
Please share your comments to inspire and encourage others!

Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude,

Kelley Grimes, M.S.W.
Counselor, Author & Speaker

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Your post makes me think I can come out from under the covers now…and breathe…. Nicely done.
Thank you so much Jan! Breathing is such an important self-nurturing tool and I hope it continues to support you through the election season and beyond!
Thank you for your article Kelley, yes, it’s so important to monitor how much time you spend in front of tv.
Lira I believe making intentional choices about everything we consume is part of nurturing our selves. Thank you so much for your comment!
I have been avoiding the whole elections debacle for some time now as the two who continue to see how far they can degrade the other are not interesting to me at all. I did find someone who does peak my interest, Johnson/Weld ticket, so have been listening to his talks, when time allows, for a few days.
As for everyday life, I am the (single) mother of an adult handicapped child, she is 26 and has the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. She is high functioning and has been employed for almost 2 years at Buffalo Wild Wings so I am the taxi to and from her 5 day/week job. Plus I have a small business, mental health medical billing for providers as well as a house to keep up and the property it sits on (also where I get grounded walking barefoot). I also have 3 (rescue) fur-babies that demand my attention, so as you can see I barely have time to think much less let someone or thing stress me out!
I get up early in the mornings so I can have an hour or two to just be, have coffee and welcome the day before I have to roll with it once again.
Natalie thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like your mornings are your time for self-nurturing, which is wonderful. Being able to unplug from the election is definitely a skill and yet I understand when we hold so many responsibilities it may seem a necessity to avoid the stress we can, since so much we cannot. Thank you so much for your comment!
I like your suggestion of spending time in nature, Kelley. I was awed today by the brightly coloured fall leaves against the bright blue sky. It calmed my chatty mind right down.
Being out in nature has such a soothing effect on most of us and is so deeply nurturing. I love your description of the brightly colored fall leaves against the bright blue sky Lea! I am so deeply grateful for the beauty all around us. Thank you so much for your comment!
I did just this, “Take a media or social media fast or limit how much time you spend watching and/or reading about the election.” I’m not watching the debates or nightly news. TOO, TOO MUCH for this empath!!! I think you should share this with Huffington Post, Kelley. Great read.
Thank you so much Lore! I love that you are nurturing yourself and tuned into to what you need. Not only are you caring for yourself, but you are giving others permission to care for themselves as well!