Election Overwhelm? Ground Yourself with 3 Somatic Self-Care Tips
Soothe Your Nerves, Savour Your Power!
If the election has left you feeling like you just got off the world’s longest rollercoaster - you’re not alone. 🫠
Emotions are high, opinions are everywhere, and whether your team “won” or “lost,” your body might still be hanging on to some serious stress (How could it not!?!).
And in this time of big opinions and spirited debates, one of the best things you can do is focus on you—your own calm, health, and pleasure. This isn’t selfish; it’s selfless.
Here’s why stress sticks with us, what it does to our ability to connect with others and three science-backed ways to support your mind and body right now.
What Election Stress Does to Your Body
When tensions run high (hello, election season!), your body jumps into “fight or flight” mode, where stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol start flooding your system. Adrenaline kicks up your heart rate, getting your muscles ready to act, while cortisol keeps you on high alert.
While these hormones are great for when you’re in physical danger, they’re not so helpful for clear thinking. High levels of cortisol actually shrink your prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain responsible for rational decision-making—leaving you in a bit of a mental fog. So instead of calm, collected thoughts, you might find yourself in overdrive, reacting uncharacteristically to things that wouldn’t normally faze you.
In short, it’s like your body’s ready to run a marathon, while your brain’s just trying to find the finish line!
Here’s the catch: if you’re someone who’s passionate, invested, and stands up for what you believe in (hell to yeah!), then fuelling your inner tank isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. Here’s how you can charges the batteries of your mind and body, so you can keep showing up as your bold, brilliant, badass self.
1. Breathe Like You Mean It
Yeah. Yeah. I know. Another article telling you that all your problems will melt away by just freaking breathing. And I hear you. And I get. And it works - really!
Obviously, whatever is stressing you out isn’t going to go away by simply breathing. However, to help your body switch out of stress mode - and give your nervous system the Green Light to chill the F out - conscious breath work is one of the easiest, most effective (and cost free!) ways we can do this.
Try this: take a deep, slow inhale. Gently filling your belly as if it were a red, white and blue balloon 😜. Then, slowly, oh so slowly, let the breath flow back out. Keep this going for a few rounds, until you start feeling the tension begin to soften.
This simple trick sends a message straight to your brain that you’re safe, which lets your body know it’s okay to relax.
Bonus Points: you can do it anywhere, anytime!
2. Move That Body, Even if Just a Little
After a stress-packed season, your body might feel “stuck” in high-alert mode. Think tight shoulders, crampy legs and stiff jaws.
Sometimes the best way to shake it off is to - literally - shake it off, Tay Tay style!
This doesn’t have to mean an epic gym marathon - although you do you boo. Anything that gets your body moving will help.
Think: Epic dance parties around your kitchen! Taking a stroll around the block. Or why not keep it super cosy and stretch it out under the blankets.
Movement helps release any pent-up energy from that long haul of election stress and brings your nervous system back to balance. Plus, it can be a chance to reconnect with yourself and shift you out of overwhelm - and back to the powerful, phenomenal woman that you innately are!
3. Treat Your Senses Like Royalty
Let’s get cozy and let your senses do the heavy lifting.
Grab something soft—a cozy blanket, your favourite sweater, or maybe that robe that feels like a hug. Take a moment to really focus on how it feels against your skin, how it caresses your body.
Maybe treat yourself to that delicious mug of coffee. Hold it between your palms, really feel the weight of it, breathe in the scent, and take a moment to appreciate each sip.
Or maybe, it’s time to indulge in that luxurious, yummy lotion you save for “special occasions”. Massage it across your body, take a deep breath, and let the smell and texture fill you up with relaxation.
Why does this work? When you engage your senses like this, it sends a big ol’ “we’re safe” message to your nervous system. Stress hormones start to chill out, and your body can relax. In turn, that mental fog clears up, and you’re better able to think clearly and calmly—no more knee-jerk emotional reactions or forgetting your point mid debate.
Think of it as hitting pause on your fight-or-flight mode and giving your brain a mini-break. Your inner political animal will thank you for it.
Being Okay with Your Own Perspective
Remember, standing by your own beliefs—whether everyone else agrees or not—is one of the pillars of a free society. Your views are yours, and feeling solid in them is important.
But holding your ground doesn’t mean holding your stress! By giving yourself the gift of calm, you’re better prepared to keep showing up for what matters to you without burning out.
So breathe deeply, move a little, and enjoy some sensory TLC.
Want to know more? I’m hosting a FREE online workshop “Your Holiday Sanity Toolkit: Your Free Somatic Guide to Surviving the Holidays” - because we all have that one relative!
Join me on Tuesday, 26th November and learn the secrets of how to navigate family fueds like a pro!
The most important thing is that you feel centred, strong, and ready to move forward in ways that feel right for you. And, who knows? In grounding yourself, you might find some surprising, much-needed moments of pleasure—even after the world’s longest political season.
With love Xx
P.S. Desiring a little extra support? Book in your FREE 1:1 Call with me here and let’s see how we can support your mind, body and nervous system, so you can show up in all the ways that are important to you!
Any questions or insights? Let’s talk! You can find me on the Gram here - or shoot me an email at alexa@alexaberry.com