Election Day Self Care Kit

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We’re all heading into Election Day (and night) fully intending to hear, see, and possibly do some stuff we wished we didn’t. To counteract the impending negativity, set up your self care kit today.

Mental health is terribly important for the next week, and the next 4 years. Don’t wait to have a plan in place. It’s going to be a bumpy night and, in the end, it might not go your way.

Here’s how I’m setting up my November 3rd for success:

Surround Yourself With Love

No matter the outcome of the 2020 election, none of us need to be hearing the results alone. Head to your family’s home. Spend the night with your partner. Cuddle your pets. Video call your best friends. However you do it, make sure your surrounded by whoever and whatever makes you the happiest and keeps you grounded. 

Be Still, Stay Calm

Easier said than done, I know. But try to find the time. Get outside for a walk. Sit in the backyard and listen to music. (Sam Smith and Ariana Grande both have new music out now.) Tend to your garden. Have an afternoon picnic. Read a book under the trees. Election day is going to be hectic on its own. Make the time to slow down.

Grab Your Essentials The Day Before

Unless you are hitting the poll lines or can’t work from home, there’s really no reason to be out on Election Day. Go to the grocery store. Fill up you tank. Check your tires. Clean your house. Pull out all the candles, flashlights, and emergency kits. You can never be too careful, or too prepared. We’ve seen how people react when they don’t get their way. Don’t be scared but definitely don’t be caught off guard.

Set Up Do Not Disturb

Mine is already set up nightly to ensure an easier transition to unplugging before bed. Designate certain people access to you but the rest should be on mute for the remainder of the night. Don’t let outside information be the reason your night goes off the tracks. If you can’t handle all the news right now, your family and friends will understand. Take care of yourself first.

Turn Off Social Notifications

The same thing stands from above. Again, my social notifications are off for every app on my phone. If you haven’t already done that, I highly suggest it. They are all going to be dialed into the election and the sheer amount of notifications you are bound to get should be enough to turn them off, at least for the night. Mine are off every single day.

Schedule A Time To Unplug

Yes, you do need a bedtime. Set an alarm to wake up and check the stats, if you must, but please go to bed. The more worked up you get, the harder it will be to fall asleep. The votes aren’t going anywhere (Hopefully voter suppression took the night off.) so you’ll be fine to wait until morning.

Tune In But Don’t Over Stimulate

Choose 1 channel. Maybe 2. But don’t flip back and forth like your thumb is training for the Olympics. They’re all counting the same votes and regurgitating the same information. Choose the 1 or 2 news stations you trust the most and stick with them until you’re ready to tap out.

Order In Comfort Food

Maybe skip the alcohol for the night? A fight is sure to ensue and we don’t need any more of those. But definitely have food on hand that leaves you smiling. At the very least, at the end of the night, you can say “I ate good.” Fueling your body is important, too.

Stay Active (In More Ways Than One)

Do I mean exercise? Yes, absolutely. It’ll keep you healthy, energized, and focused. But do I also mean to stay active in your community because no matter who wins, the fight still ain’t over for most of us? You’re damn right. We can’t go silent on November 4th after everything we fought for to get to November 3rd. If you posted a black square, shared Black business owners, marched in the streets, etc. we need you to continue fighting because we don’t give af about looking good on social media. We want equality, justice, and reform.

Be kind to yourself. Be equally as kind to others.

What’s in your election night self care kit?