5 Tips for Staying Grounded and Resilient

Is anyone else feeling really stressed and worried about who our 47th president will be?

This morning (before breakfast), I found an Instagram post that perfectly expressed my feelings about the visceral impact this election cycle is having on me. It said, “The Human Body Wasn’t Made to Tolerate 3 Trump Elections in One Lifetime” - Michael James Schneider (@blcksmth) But here we are just days away from an election that Aaron Sorkin couldn’t have even imagined and my body is feeling it.

Are your shoulders feeling tighter than usual, or are you finding yourself more on edge, anxious, or at times slightly dissociated?

5 Tips for Staying Grounded and Resilient

1. Use Your Toolbox: Take advantage of stress-relief tools you already have—schedule an acupuncture session, take a solo beach walk, start an art project, connect with friends, write a gratitude list, dance, or spend time with a pet.

2. Avoid News First Thing and Last Thing: Skip the news and social media until after breakfast (to support the Spleen!) and before bed (promotes better sleep). I'm often guilty of this myself…

3. Mindful Eating: Avoid listening to the news while eating. In Chinese Medicine, the Spleen is key to digestion and is also linked to worry. Hearing stressful news during meals can strain this organ system.

4. Prioritize Sleep: With Daylight Savings ending on Sunday, use that extra hour to recommit to a healthy sleep routine. Ideally asleep by 11pm, if your commitments allow.

5. Explore NA Beverages: Try some non-alcoholic drinks instead of, or in addition to, your usual beverage of choice. Ocean Beach Café has a great selection of options. NA drinks can be a great way to reduce alcohol intake if you’re turning to it for stress relief.