By james art 
Dear Reader,
We live in a world that offers numerous daily headlines that can increase stress levels. As the election approaches, it’s easy for many to feel overwhelmed as people find themselves in a whirlwind of debates, opinions and hypotheses.
No one knows what the future holds, but the good news is that even in these uncertain times, there are ways to help calm the mind, ease the body, and nurture a more positive outlook.
This toolbox is designed to offer ideas for a variety of methods, each offering a unique path to relaxation and/or mental clarity. Check out the ideas suggested here to get you started. Maybe your perfect solution isn’t here, but maybe these ideas can spark another option. Let us know what works for you!
Whether you’re looking for small daily practices or transformative new habits, these approaches can help you find peace, resilience, or renewed perspective as you navigate the challenges ahead.
— Jan Risher
Talk therapy
Chavez Pinestraw is a temporary licensed professional counselor working primarily with adults based in Hammond. He said he’s had an influx of customers seeking support for the election season and what might happen once we know the election results. Before the election, he recommends that people role-play borderline conversations with someone they trust.
In his sessions with clients, he has them dictate the script—perhaps it’s a father with different political beliefs or a friend with whom you have some tension over politics. He then has them talk about how they feel about the upcoming election and he answers as if he were the other person in the script.
“There are times when we pause and process what’s going on,” he said.
He asks questions: How do you feel at this moment? Do you need anything more from me at this point? Do you experience severe anxiety? If so, let’s get down to it. Let’s talk about it.
“It teaches them how to process their emotions, feelings and thoughts in real time,” he said. “Behavior doesn’t just transfer to the outside world if you don’t use it.”
For those trying to do it at home, he recommends asking the person what he needs from you: Does he need to practice a tough conversation, or does he need a safe place to feel heard? Adjust accordingly.
For those upset by the election results or fearful for the country’s future, he recommends getting involved with organizations working on causes you believe in. Even if the election doesn’t go your way, people working for things you believe in don’t go away. Joining it, he said, can feel useful and grounded in times of transition.
– Serena Puang
Drawing and painting
Center yourself by tapping into your creative side.
Olivia Paz, member and spokesperson for the Louisiana Art Guild, said art is a good way to combat stress, not only during election season, but in any difficult situation.
“Every person is creative; each person invents a life that is unique,” she said. “In times that test our souls, creative activities can help immensely. People create in different ways – cooking, painting, drawing, writing, playing music, sewing, quilting, decorating their homes or planting in their gardens.’
Paz said she immersed herself in painting and drawing during the pandemic.
Paz added that “the art I was working on occupied my mind and soul completely. And after working on the artwork, I felt refreshed – quite tired but really happy.”
For those interested in art activities to combat election stress, the Art Guild of Louisiana has painting sessions from 6-9pm every Wednesday at Studio in the Park, 2490 Silverest Ave.
“The guild offers workshops, often taught by accomplished artists, as well as ‘Open Studio Days’ twice each week, allowing its members to work on any project they wish and see what others are creating too,” Paz said.
— Robin Miller
Tai chi
In Baton Rouge, Jie Gu is on a mission to bring Tai Chi to others.
She says the gentle movements have not only restored her energy, but also introduced her to the yin-yang philosophy – helping her face the challenges of work and family life with greater patience.
Gu, who grew up in China, says she was never very good at sports, and despite the popularity of tai chi in her home country, her parents and grandparents did not practice it. But over the past six years, she decided she needed to do something to improve her health – and turned to tai chi.
When she began to realize the benefits of tai chi, she became serious about improving. Earlier this year, she made the US National Team and competed in the World Taijiquan Championships held in August in Singapore. The USA Tai Chi team performed exceptionally well against participants from 32 countries, placing fifth overall.
Gu, who has lived in Baton Rouge for more than 20 years, won first place in the women’s 32-movement tai chi sword competition and second place in the 24-movement tai chi hand form.
“It doesn’t require special equipment or space. I can do it anywhere,” she said.
One of her favorite places is the Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge, where she leads a monthly class. Her next Hilltop class will be at 8am on November 16th.
She also teaches classes at the East Baton Rouge Public Library’s main library, including 6pm classes set for November 3rd and November 17th. Gu’s classes are free. For more information, email her at [email protected].
— Jan Risher
From a minister
For the spiritual side of things, Pastor Josh Causey of Living Hope Fellowship suggests prayer, writing down fears, reading books of scripture like Psalms, and talking to trusted people.
“I think Christians tend to compartmentalize their lives too much, where anything that has to do with politics or social issues, it’s almost like they don’t pray about those things,” he said. “They may pray to events outside of themselves instead of recognizing the chaos that is within.”
Causey says something happens in the process of putting worries and fears down on paper to help the anxiety lose some of its power.
“I know a lot of therapists and staff will have people make a list of exactly what they fear, not just what might happen, but what will happen next,” he says. “A lot of it comes down to people being afraid that they will be left behind, that they won’t have what they need, or that they won’t know what to do.”
Causey says opening up to a trusted person and sharing personal fears who will listen rather than argue can also reduce stress. Holding emotions inside leads to interpersonal problems when these stressors are not vented or expressed.
“There’s all this neuroscience now that talks about how healthy it is for our brains when you find safe people to share your experiences with. It has a healing effect on our brains,” he said.
— Joy Holden
Communicate better
The root of communication is to transmit, convey and share with others, but the actual task involves several nuances, depending on the people who are communicating. Andre Williams, a faculty member in UL Lafayette’s Department of Communication, teaches public relations and strategic communications courses at the university.
He notes the importance of recognizing that everyone has a different perception based on environment, social media feeds and personal experiences, so no two people will receive the same information online. This leads to different opinions and beliefs that can be misinterpreted if not communicated effectively.
“You can have some of the best friends in the world, but if they’re not getting the same information as you — if they’re not exposed to the same media — then naturally they’re going to have different opinions,” Williams said. “Don’t take it personally. Take it as an opportunity to educate them.”
Below are Williams’ four tips for becoming a better speaker and verbal communicator:
1. Know your audience: Understand your target audience. This determines what you should and shouldn’t say.
2. Listen to understand, not to respond or argue: Sometimes people don’t fully listen to the other person they are having a conversation with, he or she is just thinking about the next point to make.
3. There is no such thing as a private conversation: In this digital age, most things are public. All opinions communicated via text, chat, email, likes, shares or comments must be made with the intention and understanding that the world may one day see it.
4. Know when to back off: This can mean withdrawing from a conversation or withdrawing from reading certain articles online.
– Lauren Cheramie
Take a break from social media
Too much time on social media can have a negative impact on mental health — and that’s never more true than in a contentious election year.
A quick use of social media can be useful for any reason. Deactivating Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or your feed of choice is a great line of defense if your stress levels spike.
For many, social media is their primary way of accessing news about their community and the world – but these days, the sheer volume of unverified, malicious or simply misinformed communication can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Taking a break from social media doesn’t mean missing out on what’s happening. It simply means making clearer, more informed decisions about the information that is consumed.
– Joanna Brown
massage
Baton Rouge licensed massage therapist Ann Wien says she’s seen a few clients express specific stress from the election, but more clients have shared that life in general seems to be going through a big change as reflected in this historically significant election.
“I’ve been a lot busier lately. I’m not sure if this is related to the election. However, it may be related to them,” says Wien, who has been a therapist for 22 years. She received her education at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette.
Wien explains that massage therapy can help reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s relaxation response.
“The soothing movements of working on your tight muscles, treating sore areas, and loosening up tight connective tissues can help release the stress of the tension that’s been built up,” she says.
Don’t have time for a massage appointment? Wien suggests paying attention to your deep breathing, setting aside time each day for something you enjoy doing, from being outside in nature to taking a cat nap.
“No matter what the outcome of this election is, we live life in this one body,” Wien said. “Massage can really help reinforce positivity and change.”
— Judy Bergeron
Breathing techniques
Sophia Fenix is a shamanic healing and ceremony facilitator specializing in sound baths. She recommends prioritizing meditation or prayer with breathing techniques.
Establishing and connecting with the breath using specific breath work patterns is helpful when you are experiencing stress. She says YouTube tutorials or qualified facilitators in town are good sources of breathwork instruction.
“Being able to touch and come back to your breath during chaos, stress and uncentered times really brings you back to the moment,” Phoenix said.
She says to take a nice, deep breath in through your nose and hold it for just a second at the top of the breath, then exhale with intention.
Nature can also be a stress reliever, says Phoenix.
“Especially this time of year when the weather is really perfect. It’s so perfect to find a patch of grass to put your feet up in and let the sun beat down on you for a moment,” she says.
— Joy Holden