A Campaigner…

My mother used to work for the United Nations in New York. She worked specifically for UNICEF to bring awareness to the exploitation of young girls being sold into sex trafficking, early child marriages, various unspeakable abuses, not having access to education and the general inequity of civil rights globally for young girls. So all my life, that set the stage to be aware of political and civil issues. In fact, the first political campaign I worked on was in 1980. I was eleven years old living in Newport, Rhode Island, and I was putting up signs for Ted Kennedy’s presidential bid! In retrospect, I was glad that he didn’t become president and I didn’t really know about his skeletons in the closet, but needless to say I’ve been involved with politics and public service all of my life.

When I was in college, I worked as a door to door canvasser for a GreenPeace and Ralph Nader’s P.I.R.G. Coincidentally, I just did the amazing and accurate personality test called the Enneagram, you can do yours here and it turns out that I’m a Campaigner or ENFP so I think it’s just hardwired in my blood to be involved with ethics and social justice.

Engaged Dharma

Fast-forward to 2015 and Donald Trump was running against Hillary Clinton. I had joined a Buddhist organization that talked about enlightened society, and creating a semi-utopian culture of people that were involved with mindfulness, ethics and meditation practice. In our tradition, there are indeed just like in Christianity, some apocalyptic predictions that we can do a lot to prevent if we act now.

Here is one Tibetan Buddhist website called Saving Each Other Together where my friends are doing a lot of prayers and rituals to try to mitigate these predictions, and in addition to mere “thoughts and prayers,” I think we need to actually act and get our hands dirty and involved with real world change. I was on meditation retreat a year before Covid and I had some insights about the future and how to prepare internally.

I took that “engaged dharma” to heart so I decided to continue to be in public service and join to the national coordinated campaign and once again found myself knocking on doors and going to college campuses in Boulder, Colorado registering people to vote. Even though I had my personal preferences, when you register people to vote, you’re not allowed to express a preference. So, on campuses and going to door-to-door, even in a pretty left and liberal town, I found myself registering more Republicans and disgruntled people registering as Independents, who were not wanting to choose a party because of all of the dark and defamatory social media infused mistruths and smear campaigns that people had against the Democratic Party and specifically, Hillary.

It became a ground war- pitting friend against friend, people who supported Bernie Sanders refused to vote for Hillary, calling it “scorched earth” and I could feel with everything in my being, even though the polls were suggesting that she would win that in fact, Trump was going to win. In the middle of my volunteer work, I actually started to have terrible anxiety and I could feel it viscerally in the pit of my stomach and whenever this happens to me, my sleep and overall well-being gets disrupted.

So after he got elected, which I knew intuitively was going to happen, I continued in public service and volunteered for the Boulder County Democratic Party, I was a State Legislative Intern for the State of Colorado for a very progressive senator, and worked on all kinds of campaigns. I was elected as a state delegate, proxy for then Representative Jared Polis and the Secretary for the Saguache County Democratic Party.

“Action is the Antidote to Despair”

Joan Baez

So much work, and all unpaid- so my business took a hit, and my health took a hit, but I thought I need to do everything I can on the ground to mitigate political upheaval, protect our civil liberties and the risk to our very constitution and indeed, our very lives. I have a daughter, and I also think it is our personal responsibility to do whatever we can to leave a better world for our children and we can’t always think that “someone else” is going to take care of things, nor can we pray disaster away through mantra.

Pre-Grieving

I personally still believe that the reelection of former President Trump would cause a huge amount of global upheaval, the suppression of our civil liberties, and our constitution and untold irreparable damage to our nation and beyond. How can people face something so dire and not be anxious? The polls right now are showing almost a 50-50 split so the election could go either way. I was always told if you have something really emotionally significant, you have to prepare yourself and spend time pre-grieving to fortify yourself to withstand the internal and physical storms of our time.

Pre-grieving or anticipatory grieving means that you actually visualize, journal and process the pain of the possibility of the election not going your way. It’s the old adage of prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Indeed, human beings, including the Tibetans from my tradition, have had to endure bitter wars, disasters, the rise of power of dictators. I do know one thing- that if we completely fall apart into hopelessness, dis-regulation and debilitating anxiety, we are of no help to anyone.

So my suggestion is for every single one of us, no matter what side you are taking in this election, to do some self-care right now to fortify yourself. Our country is polarized and 50% of us believe one way and 50% of us believe another, we regretfully don’t have proportional representation in this nation in the executive branch. Unfortunately, it’s a winner take all so that leaves half of our nation upset, heartbroken, mistrustful and scared, and in the next couple of months, anything could happen. It’s a hot button of emotionality and volatility. I do feel above and beyond anything else that it’s really important to not cultivate hatred toward each other as I really believe the adage “United, We Stand, Divided we Fall. I sincerely hope we do not fall.

Between the heated debates, endless news updates, and social media diatribe, it is no wonder many of us feel anxious or overwhelmed or downright terrified as we approach the polls, in just a few weeks now. Anxiety about elections is a common experience, and understanding how to manage it is key to taking care of your mental health while still participating in the democratic process. Here are the steps that I’m personally taking to do the pre-grieving, preparation and self-care.

The Emotional Toll of Elections

The American Psychological Association (APA) has pointed out how political events, especially divisive elections, can stir up a whirlwind of emotions. It’s not just about who wins or loses; it’s the uncertainty and constant barrage of information that can heighten our stress levels. We can spend hours doom scrolling through social media and news articles late at night, or in contrast, using social media as an opiated escape. It has been proven that social media consumption and constant news infusion can lead to intense, increased anxiety. In fact, I was brave enough to shut down my personal Facebook two years ago, after I was targeted with constant cruelty and cyber-bullying, and have been much happier and less anxious since!

What’s Behind Our Election Anxiety?

So, what exactly makes us anxious about elections? Here are a few big players:

• Social Media: While it might be considered a tool for the illusion of genuine, authentic connection, social media often amplifies anxiety. Misinformation, false news, (alternative facts), heated debates, and echo chambers can keep your heart racing instead of calming your nerves.
• News Coverage: The 24-hour news cycle thrives on intensity, negativity and sensationalism. Constantly hearing about political conflicts, dramatic headlines, world wars and environmental disasters can create an overwhelming atmosphere. It is essential to recognize how this affects our mental well-being and to set boundaries. I limit my news and social media time to 20 minutes a day.
• Personal Conversations: Discussing politics with family or friends can be tricky, especially when we  clash with different opinions from family and friends. It’s all too easy to get caught up in a heated debate, leaving you feeling stressed. It’s imperative for me to not watch the news or have any heavy conversations at night before bed. Instead of news and doom-scrolling, consider some wind down time with a good, nourishing book.

How to Cope with Election Anxiety

Managing election-related anxiety is all about finding balance and taking care of yourself. Here are some strategies that can really help:

1. Limit (or Shut Down) Media Consumption: We don’t have to “live” in Facebook, Instagram and endless scrolling TikTok, there is a living breathing real world out there! Try setting some boundaries around how much social media you read and produce, as well as news you consume. Pick a specific time to check in, so you’re not constantly bombarded with information and life-and mind draining toxicity.
2. Engage in Relaxation Practices: Incorporate daily wellness activities like walks in nature, meditation, yoga, and deep abdominal breathing into your routine. They can be a great way to help you unwind and center yourself amidst the chaos.
3. Focus on What You Can Control: Remember, we have a “participatory democracy.” You have the power to vote and participate in civic activities like making phone calls, volunteering and donating money to campaigns. This can give you a sense of agency and connection to your community and the election process, which can be incredibly empowering. My teacher said “one person can change the world,” and I always believed that our voice matters.
4. Reach Out for Support: Talk to trusted friends or family about how you’re feeling. Sometimes just sharing your worries can lighten the load. If anxiety persists, don’t hesitate to seek professional therapeutic help. There is no shame in seeking therapy, yes even for men!
5. Prioritize Self-Care: Keep up with healthy habits—regular exercise, sunshine, nutritious meals, and adequate sleep can all help you cope better with election and political stress.

Long-Term Considerations

Ignoring apprehension and anxieties about anything, and in this case, about our upcoming election, can have lasting effects on your mental health. Prolonged stress and unprocessed grief and fears can lead to more severe issues like: chronic anxiety, high blood pressure, strokes, insomnia or depression. It’s important to  listen to and befriend these feelings head-on and seek help when needed.

If you find yourself struggling, consider talking to a mental health professional and/or joining a support group. They can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to your situation, and often there are even free resources available.

Helpful Resources

If you’re looking for support during this time, here are some great resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): A fantastic source for mental health support.
• Calm & Headspace and EFT Tapping: These apps and techniques offer guided meditation and relaxation exercises to help you chill out.
• PBS NewsHour & FactCheck.org: For balanced and reliable election coverage, helping you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Wrapping It Up

Election anxiety is totally normal, and it’s okay to feel a bit overwhelmed, and even at times, terrified. However, we control what we can, and must do our best to withstand what we cannot. What is important is that we prioritize our mental well-being while staying engaged in the process. Utilize supportive resources, set boundaries, and practice self-care and inner resiliency. Remember, no matter the outcome of the election, your well-being matters most. Take care of yourselves and navigate this election season with hope, inner strength and confidence!

Warmest well wishes~

May there be light in our darkening times,

Dawn Boiani-Sandberg