(Please excuse any errors. This transcript was made using AI technology.)

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Welcome to the Atheists in Recovery Podcast, where we talk about finding hope in recovery. And now your host, Dr. Adina Silvestri,

Adina Silvestri 0:11
Hola Guys, and Welcome to Episode 68 of the Atheists in Recovery podcast. And today we are talking about self care during an election. This is a special themed episode of the Atheists in Recovery podcast. But I thought that it was a very timely episode. For many Americans, including myself, I feel a sense of worry that this may be a horrific election, no matter who you are voting for this year, Americans feel that they have the weight of the future resting on their shoulders. And so today, I want to take some time to talk about election anxiety. What is it? And how can we build our resilience during this season? All right, let's get started. Election anxiety as you can imagine his anxiety or fear over what we're imagining during the 2020. election, during this year, a survey by Gartner and I'll put the link in the show notes found that 47% of workers say that the 2020 election has distracted them from doing their jobs. And I asked the air listeners what they were doing to combat election anxiety and social and via the newsletter. And this is what they had to say. Lisa m says, stick to the Weather Channel, exclamation point. The Brits are right, talk about the weather and you will be safe. Look for ways to move to Sweden as a completely escapist idea, even though it will never happen. Those are great tips. Lisa M. And Laura says, listen to your body. Listen to what your body needs and do that rest stretch Express. That's how I'm going to get through. So thank you listeners for responding to my question. That was a lot of fun to get some of those answers. And I believe that the Brits are right, Lisa. Just talk about the weather. For me since I already voted, I will be out in nature, probably going for a run that morning. And then seeing clients that afternoon. Seeing clients after all is a big part of my happy place. So in case you deal with generalized anxiety disorder, also called Gad. Here are five self care tips to release stress and welcome a much more pleasant 2021. Tip number one limit your newsfeed or social media accounts can be great for staying in touch with family and friends, but intermediate times come conversations can turn ugly. When talking about political events, you may even unfriend an aunt or cousin or two. So keeping up with current events also means a constant stream of breaking news. So this is important, maybe delete all of the social media from your phone during the season. And that will go a long way in limiting your newsfeed. Tip number two, set boundaries. Be proactive, have your time and energy and listen to what your body needs. This may mean keeping your bed a phone freezone turning it on airplane mode to start your day. On the right foot. I do this. I do this often. Boundaries like these are crucial for our mental health. Perhaps you already checked November 4 off Good for you. You're setting the stage for a healthy a healthy Election Day and post election day. So you get a gold star. Tip number three, get out in nature. You do not have to engage in a five mile run to achieve the benefits of exercise. You can simply take a mindful walk outside that'll do the trick. And it will also help lower your anxiety in a mindful walk is just being very present. As you're walking. You know feeling your feet touch the ground. noticing the surroundings what you smell, you see what you hear. All the senses are, are engaged on these mindful walks.

Tip number four, think about how you can impact the future. It's really easy to look around the world right now and feel helpless and overwhelmed. I get it. I feel this way. I know My clients and checking in with them over the last week also feel this way. But to be honest, voting is not enough. We all need to get involved to improve our communities and our countries. What can you do right now. You can help organize, send emails and postcards, you can become a pen pal to mature adult. at your local nursing home, maybe you make food for the unhoused sort of virtual food drive, donate blood or whatever it is that puts your skills to good use to help impact the future. A great volunteer site that I recently discovered that matches your skills is called volunteer match. And I'll put a link in the show notes. This might sound daunting at first, but once you get involved, I promise you'll start to feel better about the world and just seeing the generosity and compassion in strangers. You'll feel good. Tip number five. Take a mental health day and November 4. This is very similar to setting boundaries. Tip number two. Tip number five, a mental health day. It's not just good for you. But it's also good for the people that are around you. During this time of high anxiety, taking a day off after a election, maybe just what you need. And on that day, perhaps you engage in your favorite activities or just allow space for rest that is so needed. I highly recommend taking Wednesday, November 4 off, especially since we'll be dealing with the election news and the uncertainty of who will win the next presidency for several weeks to come. If you listen to the news reports Well, those are my five tips on self care during an election. And so to wrap this up, do whatever you can to take good care of yourself during the season. And no matter what you are feeling trust that this is temporary and all things shall pass. You can find the show notes and the transcript for today's episode at AdinaSilvestri.com forward slash Episode 68 And if this is your first time listening welcome, and please do please do subscribe to the podcast so that you don't miss an episode. Okay guys, I appreciate you. Take care. Bye.

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