How to Cope With The Election

People couldn't believe their eyes when last Tuesday they saw the election. Many had this reaction:

but more had a reaction more paralleled to extreme disappointment and disgust. Many people all over the country are in absolute SHOCK about the results of the election that happened just last week. Many people are distraught at the fact that Donald Trump is the president elect and protests have been breaking out in major cities and across campuses nation wide. People are struggling to cope with the election results and this is only dividing the nation further than it was previously divide pre-election. Everybody just needs to relax, find ways to cope with the result, and move on.



Ways To Cope

Coping mechanisms like restorative settings, mindfulness, and community allow for the mind to deal with situations that aren't exactly what we'd been hoping for or are non-prefered and stressful. Let's go down the list and see what how the three methods already mentioned can help us move past this election.

Restorative Settings 

Restorative settings allow for directed attention to replenish. Now this may not seem like something that may necessarily help us cope with the election, but when you think about it, directed attention helps dictate our interaction with others and how we behave. I don't know about you, but when I'm annoyed or frustrated, I hate talking to other people or even being around other people. This election has drained peoples directed attention to the point where they are struggling to appear decent because they are so distraught by the results. My suggestion to go grab the directed attention back: go for a walk in nature. That's really all it takes. Just go outside, get some fresh air, and think inwardly while you're doing it for added effect! Heading to a restorative setting also can help with the next self-help method of dealing with this election; mindfulness.

Mindfulness

Being mindful isn't about thinking so much that your mind is crammed like the person shown in this comic, its more like the dog. Think about and stay in the present as best as possible. This allows for you to just reflect on what may be really important to you, rather than be in despair about the soon to be president. Being able to remain mindful about your current situation rather than be worried about when Trump becomes president will help you out when Trump officially takes office. Why worry about something that isn't in your control? That's what being mindful is all about!

Community

Community is a great way to cope with any situation as it brings together people from all ages and races to meet and converse about topics. What I suggest for a community is to expand beyond people that you would normally not be in community with. Find a common ground with a group of people to connect with, and allow them to challenge you about your beliefs on other topics. This will give you an opportunity to broaden your horizons and think about new ideas that hadn't crossed your mind yet. Community is made stronger through conversation and well done debate. Being open to these debates and discussions allows for people to see your point of view and for them to see yours.

The main take away from this entire situation is really for everyone to R-E-L-A-X. Take some time to reflect upon what you find most important, go out to a restorative environment, and meet up with a community you can feel accepted and welcomed in. This election will soon blow over like it always does, and life will go back to normal in the United States.