Reducing Election Day Stress and Anxiety

[Catherine Morgan]

Here is my post on Reducing Election Day Stress and Anxiety for BlogHer's 61 Days To Better Health

By now, if you are like me, your election stress level is through the roof. But, it's time to let go of your stress. Once you have placed your vote, the outcome is out of your hands (let's face it, it was never in our hands). So, why worry about something that you will not be able to change? Regardless of the outcome, you will wake-up tomorrow morning, and your life will go on as it always has.

So, I want you to try something. Right now, as you read this brief post, I want you to slowly take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. OK, that was good, but you know you can do better.

Now, do it again. Take a very slow and deep breath in. And now exhale...slowly. Do you feel a little better now? It's amazing what getting a little more oxygen into our bodies can do for us, and how quickly it happens.

Let's take it one step farther. This time, slowly breathe in peace, love, hope, and anything that makes you feel calm. Now, slowly release your breath, exhaling your fears, worries, and stress. If you're alone, close your eyes while you do this. Take another minute or two, and breathe a few more times, slowly and deeply. Visualizing yourself breathing in the good, and exhaling the negative.

Better, now?

If possible, go do something else that makes you feel more calm and relaxed. Have a cup of herbal tea, take a bubble bath, turn off the television, read a book, take a walk outside, call a friend, hug your kids. If you feel the stress creeping back in, simply let it go.

This is something you can (and should) do often. Each day, try to become more conscious of your breathing. You will probably notice that you are taking very shallow breaths most of the time. To combat that...Make an effort to take some deep, slow, and purposeful breaths each day. You will be doing your body good, and your mind, too.

[N Hester]

I don't feel that I directed any of my opinions to one particular person in this community (until I was personally addressed). If my comments hit a nerve of one or more of the memebers of this community there must have been a reason. But have those of you finding fault considered that your comments have also hit a nerve or two of others here? I certainly haven't called another member a terrorist with the same mentality. I have never referred to one remembering 9/11, and the people they lost that day, as whining. In my opinion, that would be disrespectful. And I am VERY aware of those who have loved ones fighting to keep this country safe. I am aware that others endured the attack on America and lost loved ones on 9/11. I am aware that others have had and are having hardships. But I would never be so disrespectful as to call it whining if they care to share their experiences with this community. Those disturbing comments speak volumes for the blogger(s).

[N Hester]

Feel the love.

[Catherine Morgan]

Thanks Pamela. :-)

[Catherine Morgan]

@ N Hester - I beg to differ with your impression of this community. We have been having diverse conversation here, for over a year (if you had been a member here for more than 5 days you would be aware of that fact). Democrats and Republicans have respectfully (this seems to be a word you are unfamiliar with) voiced their opinions and often disagreed.

However, as today's election has shown, a large majority of the American people supported the Democratic ticket. Therefore, it's simple mathematics, that there would not be an equal balance of Dems and Republicans here or anywhere else on the internet.

In regards to your comment that...

"And, Catherine, I can voice my opinion with or without you."

Yes, you can voice your opinion with or without me. But, not necessarily on this community. My "big ego" gets to decide whether you do or not. It is as simple as one click, to delete you, your profile, your posts, and every comment you have made here. However, I am choosing to allow you to continue your tirades and personal attacks here for two reasons. One, I believe in freedom of speech. And two, even though you are in the minority, you stand as a glaring example of what is wrong with this country, and the more people that see that, the better.

It's actually kinda funny, that you chose to personally attack me, because I wrote a post with the intention to help people reduce their stress and anxiety over the election. You may mock my breathing exercise, but you obviously need it more than most.

[Pamela Lyn]

N Hester I respect the fact that you have concerns about Barack Obama but I have to wonder why you would want to join a community if you think that everyone in it is less informed than you.

Since joining this Community you have done nothing except call everyone who doesn't agree with you idiots, unintelligent and uninformed. You make all sorts of misinformed statements about the group without taking the time to meet one tenth of the members. If you had you might realize that there are many Republicans and Independents in this Community.

You accuse everyone else of whining when you have been the only one whining, "oh poor me, I know someone who died during 9/11 and no one here remembers". You've never taken the time to realize that you are not the only New Yorker or 9/11 survivor in this group. You also have no idea of who has loved ones in the military or what tragedies other people have suffered.

You've insult gay members of the community by implying that they are "alley cats" and hide behind your self proclaimed high morals.

And now you accuse one of the kindest and most generous people I've met, Catherine of having a big ego. When you are the only one here who claims to be so much wiser and moral than the rest of us.

N. Hester look in the mirror. YOU ARE THE TERRORIST. You have the mentality of Al Qaeda. You enter a peaceful community and do nothing but attack it.

If you feel like you are in a Three Stooges Movie, no one here is holding you prisoner, leave,

[N Hester]

Up until recently everyone here has had the SAME opinion. I do hope we will be able to live peaceably with the outcome of this election. If you are right, I have nothing to lose. If I am right, we all have everything to lose. Time will tell. And, Catherine, I can voice my opinion with or without you. Your ego is almost as big as Obama's. As far as YOU making information available, the information is available to anyone not too lazy to do the research. And you needn't waste your time feeling sorry for me. Save your pity for the bigger things to come. There is a silver lining to every cloud though. The American people won't have to listen to the Democrats whining and mudslinging like they have for the last eight years. Now I can enjoy that bubble bath knowing our "Super Hero" has arrived to save the day. Geez, I feel like I'm in a THREE STOOGES MOVIE and can't get out!!!!!

[Catherine Morgan]

@ N Hester - I'm sorry (for you) you feel that way. As far as getting the facts out...You would not have this community/forum to disseminate your political voice if it wasn't for me. I have been working for over a year, doing everything in my power to give all women (including you) a political voice, and making as much information available as possible. This community was founded (by me) with the intent to bring women together, and "respectfully" voice our differing opinions - up until very recently, this community did reflect that vision.

Mahatma Gandhi once said -- "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

[N Hester]

Do you practice this hypnagogic therapy often? It must be contagious because it would seem most Americans are also adhering to it. Maybe I should do the same. Why worry about getting the facts out to the uninformed voters when I could be taking a bubble bath. Wait....the fog is lifting. Did someone say Americans are voting to put HUSSEIN in the White House? If I offend those who have hit the off switch to their brain, well. I suggest you all stock up on herbal tea, bath salts and books because you are going to need plenty in the future! It must be nice to go thru life without a brain. No worries or concerns except when to take that next bubble bath!