In a nation that has been plagued with stress, controversy, and hatred as of late, what can you do to get away from it all? How ever can you manage to escape this turmoil before it emotionally rips you apart?
This is the 21st century, folks. Let's turn to the 21st-century answer for everything that ails us: Cat GIFs.
In a world where cats doing human things reign supreme throughout social media, the best way to escape all the shouting and fussing may perhaps be to simply watch a mindless cat video and smile. But take note! These felines may just be trying to send you a message about how you can unwind at the end of a particularly long and stressful stroll through your Facebook feed.
1. Indulge in some junk food
Nothing beats a good burger or a tasty slice of pizza to distract you from the distress of the political world nowadays. Who has time to stress about what other people are doing when a piping hot slice of pepperoni pizza lies in front of you, begging to be devoured? Just let it cool first, there are more than a few ways to get burned and you're already trying to avoid being politically burned.
2. Get up and do a dance!
One major stress reliever is to just get up and move. Are you so distraught that you're not quite sure what to do to get moving? Just get up and flail your limbs about, shake your booty! What are you waiting for? Shake your groove thang! I guarantee you'll feel better.
3. Go for a leisurely swim.
Sure, this particular feline looks like he may be a little under duress but don't let that fool you! Swimming is an excellent way to blow off some steam. The warm water of the pool will relax you and, again, getting a move on does wonders to get your mind off of whatever controversial article your Aunt Carol retweeted this morning.
However, this solution may not solve the response that your Uncle Tim had in store. For that, you may want to hit the hot tub and steam away the memories.
4. Put on some tunes!
Nothing distracts from the troubles of the political world like a good tune. Sure, there are some protest songs out there but you're obviously going to want to stay away from those. Aside from those few pieces, your options are limitless! Feel free to crank up the jazz, the pop, the rap...whatever keeps you from scrolling through the warring Instagram posts between feminist groups and their opposition.
5. Lightsaber fights!
Okay, so maybe this one is a little harder to accomplish. Regardless, doing something new and adventurous will fill your mind with all of the fun and new experiences that life has to offer instead of bogging it down with worry over the controversial legislatures to be passed in the upcoming weeks.
6. Hit up the local playground.
"I wish I was a kid again, things were so much simpler when I didn't have to worry about the economy and politics." Well, while I can offer neither a time machine nor an elixir of youth, I can suggest that you visit the local park for a "blast to the past" back to simpler times.
Sit on the swings and soar up in the sky, enjoy a trip down the slide, dangle upside down from the monkey bars. Just allow yourself to remember how happy you were without all of the "grown-up" responsibilities and channel that happiness.
7. Allow yourself a good cry.
We like to tell ourselves to put on a brave face, hide the fact that we are struggling and ready to cry on the inside. I'm not so sure this is the best thing to do. Find a good, comfy place that is secluded and quiet and just let it out.
Just bawl until your eyes are dry and you can't breathe for the amount of snot that is dripping down your face. Get yourself a tissue, clean up, and get on with your day knowing that you don't have to live with all of that built-up emotional pressure anymore.
8. Take time to stretch.
Take a page out of this kitten and the modern yogi's book: stretch your stress away. Take a yoga class at the gym. Take five minutes out of your morning to stretch. Just try to touch your toes before you walk out of the door. Whatever you do, just release that mental tension created by the social tension by releasing the physical tension. Just say no to tension, folks.
9. Treat yourself to a frothy latte.
What's warm, comforting, and energizing? A hot latte. What do you need when you're avoiding the bombardment of clashing opinions? A hot latte. Need I say any more?
10. Play your favorite instrument.
Instead of banging your head on your keyboard, how about banging your fists on the piano? Seriously, nothing can get the frustration out quite like a quick jam session. Just pull out your guitar, your flute, your ukulele...whatever! Just get to humming and all of the background noise and all of your stress should just fade away.
11. Schedule a massage.
Not a fan of yoga or stretching in general? Try a massage to get that tension out. Avoid the heated arguments of Twitter by scheduling a hot stone massage to help melt away the anxiety.
12. Take time to cuddle with someone you love.
Cuddling increases oxytocin, which has been proven to help relaxation and improve bonding. What do we need in a nation that is ridden with disagreement and strife? Cuddles. What America really needs is a big bag of cuddles.
13. Surprise your best friend with their favorite food.
In a world that seems to be encouraging us to attack each other, turn a 180 and do something nice for those that you love. Treat your mom to a pedicure. Show up at your S/O's office with their favorite Starbucks order. Go out of your way to surprise a friend with a Big Mac at work. Just do something nice and unexpected and revel in the fact that you've done a little something to ease the tension.
14. Get some exercise!
Infuriated by that article you just read? The one tearing down a group of citizens for their choice to support or oppose Trump? Ready to scream because your landlord refused to help you fix the leak in the roof? Ready to find the person that scraped your car door in the grocery store parking lot and tear them limb from limb? Take a pause, tiger. Stop and put that negative energy to good use by hitting the gym. Hit the treadmill, plug into the elliptical, pump some iron. For Pete's sake, just don't kill a man. Elle Woods said it best: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."
15. ...or don't.
So you're not the athletic type. That's fine! Just refrain from killing somebody. Instead, take a minute to pause and take a deep breath. Sit down and count to ten. Think of your favorite joke, watch your favorite movie, call your grandparents and ask about their day. Whatever you do, just don't let the world get you down.
16. Go unplugged for a while.
What's the best way to escape the conflict floating around the Internet? Whether it's Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat...the Yahoo homepage...the best way to get away from the political, social, and economic turmoil of the world is simply by doing that: getting away from it. Put down the phone, shut down the laptop, hide the iPad and just get away from it all to spend time with loved ones.
Especially your cat.
