Support for Election Stress and Anxiety
A note of support and hope from Jasmine Hansen, Trauma and Relationship Therapist in Denver, Colorado
The U.S. presidential election cycle brings many of us anxiety, stress, and uncertainty. Politicians openly encouraging genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, sexual violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and militarism this election cycle is deeply disturbing.
If you are stressed right now, your body is doing it's job to protect you and give you signals that our country's leadership is unsafe. And your body is right about that.
You might feel frozen, dissociated, or anxious with election season upon us. Below are some approaches I recommend as a trauma and relationship therapist to take care of yourself during election season:
Name and express underlying emotions
Our bodies and depression, dissociation, and anxiety are not our enemies, oppressive systems and politicians are the threat. The first step is for us to recognize that anxiety and depression are trying to protect us. For example: Anxiety, thank you for trying to keep me alert. Depression or dissociation, thank you for protecting me when I feel overwhelmed.
The second step is for us to explore the underlying emotions. What is your anxiety or depression trying to protect you from feeling? Fear? Sadness? Anger? Disgust? Maybe all the above and some I didn’t name.
The third step is to listen to the feeling and express it. The opportunities are endless-- what does your fear need-- soothing, rocking, doing something comforting? Could you invite the tears of sadness to fall? Does your anger want to throw a pillow on the ground? Another avenue of expression we can explore is art and creativity. Perhaps you can express yourself and your emotions through writing, drawing, music, dancing, or some other creative expression?
If you are feeling stuck in this process, I would be happy to connect with you to explore therapy together. Schedule a consult call with me at the link below:
2. Lean into community and relationships
We need each other, and being honest about where we are at with election stress with our friends and loved ones can be incredibly cathartic and healing. We are all going through this together. If community is something you are building in your life, you could join a class or go to an event with a new friend.
3. Explore ways you can embody your values and passions locally
Presidential elections and voting are only one of many ways we can choose to advocate for ourselves, our communities, and our values. Who are you passionate about supporting or advocating for in your local community? I encourage folks to start taking steps to embody their passions in the community-- could you help with the local food pantry, join advocacy groups for an issue you are passionate about, attend a protest?
4. Continue to dream and hope for a better world
Finding ways to dream and hope for a better world is very important. What would our communities look like if we all had access to our country’s and the world’s many resources? Encourage your imagination to flow, read stories of resistance and liberation from oppressors, and listen to the wisdom of young people (including younger you) and elders.
Dreaming and hoping is an act of resistance when our oppressors and those in power want us to give up.
In solidarity with you this election season and sending hope,
Jasmine
If you are feeling stuck with election stress or the trauma of late stage capitalism, please reach out for a free, 15-20 minute consult call to explore therapy together.
