This election season has left a lot of us angry, hurt, and stressed. While it's impossible to change the outcome of the election, it is possible to spend time taking care of ourselves, our own mental, and spiritual needs. After all, this bullshit isn't worth your sanity, and you know it.
1. Meditate:
Meditation is probably one of the most efficient ways to de-stress, if you're willing to put in the effort. Find a quiet, serene area, whether it's your bedroom, or favorite spot on campus, and take a few moments to detach, and unplug. Silence that cellphone, tune out the public, close those eyes, and transcend into your own mental universe. Sounds like a hippie-like thing to do, but it's worth it. You'll be surprised to find how many troubles are buzzing around your mind, and how easy and manageable the solutions really are.
2. Exercise:
Take up some physical activity, it will get the blood running, decrease cortisol levels, and will get those endorphins going, all while providing a fun, active, and engaged atmosphere for you to take part in. Hit the gym, go for a run, randomly dance around with your floor-mates; go for it.
3. Craft:
If you're artsy, take advantage of it! Check out UMass's Craft Center (it's the place to be). From painting canvas' to making intricate earrings, the options are infinite, and it is sure to provide some serious stress relief from pretty much anything and everything. Quit being anxious, and pick up a paint brush!
4. Journal:
Anxiety is often the byproduct of too much negativity, and too little "outlet." You don't have to necessarily, chat your tension out with friends, sometimes a little independent writing goes a long way. Get those feelings of built up tension, out. Curse, yell, scream; let it all out within the pages of your private diary.
Of course social media can be used as another outlet as well, write statuses, confide in memes, find your friends, do your thing.
5. Comfort Food:Take advantage of UMass's amazing dining options, and dig in! Food makes everything better, am I right?
6. Take Walks:
Taking a solo walk can do wonders for the convoluted mind. So go out on a limb, go explore that cranny on campus you walk past everyday to class, stargaze, or watch the sunset. Nature is a beautiful escape, embrace it, and find comfort in the fact that though the human world sucks pretty bad, nature's kinda cool.
