“If you are always trying to be normal,
you will never know
how amazing you can be.”
~ Maya Angelou
“If you are always trying to be normal,
you will never know
how amazing you can be.”
~ Maya Angelou
How do we regroup psychologically and emotionally during political times where the chaos feels endless? For example, after watching the first US presidential debate, I was emotionally triggered and exhausted. Our daily news is full, real, and intense. Here are some strategies to help you regroup. Tryout a few and adjust these suggestions to fit your needs. Ultimately, taking care of yourself is extremely important. “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” ― Audre Lorde #1. Acknowledge you have been triggered. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are feeling is wrong, silly, childish and to ‘get over it.’ Quick fixes and denial of your emotions are shaming. #2. Next, take care of yourself the best you can.
“Self-care is your fuel…Whatever the road ahead or the path you’ve taken, self-care is what keeps your motor running and your wheels turning.” ― Melissa Steginus #3. Listen to your body. Are you feeling hypervigilant? Meaning, is every little ‘normal’ worry accentuated and arouse excessive fear, terror, and startled reactions? Are you getting caught in overthinking and over processing to the point of exhaustion? If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), like me, then you might be doing these things even more than those who aren’t an HSP. For instance, my stomach/gut tells me a lot and for the last few days its been on fire. I know myself well enough to back off of acidic foods, make sure I take acid reducing medication, return to a bland beige-like diet, cut back on coffee (very, very hard to do because I love it BUT it doesn’t love me and why should I love something that doesn’t love me back?) #4. Take time to do what nourishes you the most.
— Brian Andreas #5. Be proactive. You know YOU the best. Now trust and believe in your reactions and do what you need to do for yourself.
Remember, triggers are real. Your unsettled feelings are real. Listen to yourself, respect your reactions and regroup as necessary. Take care of yourself by honoring your space and reclaiming your power. You’ve got this. I do too. If you need more support, consider reaching out to a trained, licensed therapist. Above all, trust what you need. Your intuition is guiding you. Originally published on Politically Speaking: Political Times Are Often Draining
1 Comment
|