“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” - Abraham Lincoln
Recent developments in our Presidential election have my head spinning. Everything has changed, or has it? We have been politically embroiled in Presidential elections for the past eight years. Names change; the issues do not. The social and economic forces we face remain, as do strongly held political convictions that can divide family and friends. Before the recent Presidential debate, there was no reliable predictive data because the results were within the margin of error. This led to the projection that a mere 50,000-60,000 people in only five-six states could decide the winner of the November election. Clearly, we are living in a somewhat unpredictable political environment. My conversations with family and friends indicate voters have more questions than answers. I suspect many voters are perplexed and silently contemplating their options.
This desire to cloister one’s views, I suspect, is a survival mechanism. Emotions have been running high with reports of anxiety (35%), stress (33%), nervousness (35%) and anger (34%). What can we do to effectively engage in our democratic process and at the same time ensure our emotional health? I offer 10 practices in my book, “Upset is Optional” that are designed to eliminate unnecessary suffering. This election season is the perfect opportunity to add a few of these tools to your emotional toolbox to avoid election anxiety and its consequences. As they say, the opposite of disease, is ease.
Create a Word Wall: Start by listening to your own words. Pay attention to the language you use when discussing the election. Create a word wall with words you want to use more, like "hope" and "encouraged," and words to use less, such as "scary" and "mad." Trade “debacle” to “defeatable.” This helps shift your mindset and focus on the possibility of a positive outcome. Remember, words are like drugs: They have a physical impact on your body. When you hear, “Can I see you for a minute?” or “We need to talk,” do you have a physical reaction in your body? And when all else fails, try a game of Mad Libs and replace “moron” with “mayonnaise.”
Reframe Your Reactions: Change your perspective by reframing negative emotions. For example, transform frustration into curiosity; anger into bewilderment; and fear into compassion. This simple shift can help you manage your emotions more effectively and stay calmer during this intense time. I personally utter the words “that’s interesting…” several times throughout the day. If you find yourself overwhelmed and indecisive, become an observer. Take information in without an obligation to take action.
Practice listening deeply: When you can’t or don’t want to engage, really listening to a person gives you new information, information that can often lead to compassion vs. indifference or anger.
Set Your Mood: Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, design your day. My choice of mood word is usually “peaceful.” Choose an intention that works for you. Perhaps it’s calm or centered, or maybe it’s curious. Use a reminder, such as a sticky note on your computer, or write it on your bathroom mirror. Wear a ring on a different finger to remind you to check in on this practice by scanning your body throughout the day to see if you are holding tension and need to reset. This practice helps you maintain a balanced and relaxed state of mind amidst election stress.
Is this work worthwhile? Is my vote mandatory? As retailers you are the frontline of our industry, offering your customers products rooted in quality and history. I start every day knowing that my work “Serves the Seven Generations.” Many of you honor the legacy of your founders every day. It is your culture. All of you are building a lasting legacy of health for generations to come. This credo that I speak about in my book, asks that you acknowledge the gifts of the three generations before you, and do work that serves the three generations to come after you—all in the time you are here. It is a long-term perspective that can provide a sense of purpose and stability, helping you navigate election anxiety with resilience and determination. Let us remember that our country has suffered through enormous challenges. As my father often reminded me, this too shall pass.
These are the practices that keep me in the game, able to create opportunity, design advocacy programs and walk the halls of Congress to ensure the health and wellness issues of our industry are voiced. Congress isn’t the same as it used to be, but our strength resides in our collective commitment to consumers. Take note, that our collaborations, including the recently formed “My Health Alliance,” will be heard on Capitol Hill and throughout the state legislatures. Whoever wins, your voice is going to be heard.
