2024 Election Thoughts and Our Nervous System

While I work in both Maryland and Florida, I currently live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I was taking a walk in my neighborhood this week, observing some of the damage from the two recent hurricanes, and I was struck by the tree in this photograph. You can see the injuries on the wind-blown side…the browning of the leaves and the dryness of the branches. And, the side that was slightly protected from the wind was still green and healthy.  It struck me as symbol of the United States, and the level of polarization that exists in this country as we are getting closer and closer to the end of a very, very long and exhausting election cycle.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have had numerous clients report to me that they are feeling “extremely stressed out” over the 2024 election. Clients report that they can’t stop checking their phones, reading the news, listening to podcasts and checking the polls. They report decreased sleep, increased irritation, more physiological arousal and general muscular tension. Some are noticing digestive disturbances that seem new. And, as I am also a living breathing human being in the not-so-United States, I feel it, too.

One thing I know for sure, is that no matter who wins this election – whether it is the candidate we personally voted for or not – we still have to live in our own nervous systems. We still have to wake up each day, feed our kids and/or pets, be present for our loved ones, be effective at our jobs and pay our bills on time. No matter who wins this election, we still have chronic and acute issues we may be dealing with, we still have goals for our emotional health, our physical health, our spiritual health, and for our life in general that we are and will continue to work on. No matter who wins this election, we have to continue to take care of our bodies and our minds. No matter who wins this election, we are still aging each and every day, coming closer to a time where we may be less active, less aware, less able to do the things we want to do in this life. So, no matter who wins this election, we need to stay strong in the face of these hurricane force winds and high levels of stress, and even if we get a bit wind-burnt and brown on the outside, we can nurture our inner, more protected parts to stay healthy, vibrant and green.

When I remind myself of that, it helps me to detach a little from the emotional intensity of this high-stakes election cycle.  It provides a space to ground – into the daily routine, the weekly routine, the seasonal routine – that provides some stability and support to a situation that feels very scary, dark, unstable and frankly, bewildering.

If our candidate wins, we may feel as if the future looks smooth and bright. If our candidate loses, we may feel a gripping sense of fear for what that means for ourselves, those we love, the country we call home, and the world in general. Maybe some of our regular routines will shift out of necessity that is unique to our personal situation. But, no matter what, we will still have to wake up, walk around, make decisions from, and go to sleep with our own inimitable nervous system.

So, how can we support it, no matter what is happening? How can we nourish and stabilize our own system, so no matter how intense it gets outside, we still feel strong and sturdy inside?

In the Ayurvedic system, we would look for things that calm the Vata dosha This is the dosha that shows up when we feel restless, scared, unstable, nervous and anxious. It is an excess of air and ether, which needs grounding, heaviness, sweetness and nourishment. We might also consider the role of Pitta dosha, who is ruled by fire and can ignite a sense of anger and righteousness in us. That fire can be helpful if it is used wisely, to transform and light the way, but not if it is used to indiscriminately burn everything down.  

Both Vata and Pitta are reduced by the sweet taste. Food is always a great first medicine, so let us look at what we are eating and drinking. Does our food have a natural sweet taste? Can we increase that with cooked, warm foods? Maybe it’s time to make some oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon powder, or some stewed apples with fresh grated ginger. Maybe we can add some coconut milk to our rice, and give it that sweet and heavy boost. Roasting some root vegetables with dinner can be tasty, topping them with ghee or oil before serving. I have been loving sweet potatoes lately, and am waiting for a couple of bananas to ripen to bake some banana bread. That feels grounding and satisfying to me.

We can look at who we are spending time with; are we receiving sweet nourishment and love from our friends and family?  If not, who do we need to call to make this happen? Who can we meet up with to share a laugh, a hug, play a game or drink some tea?  

We can also use some herbal oils to give ourselves an abhyanga – an ayurvedic self-oil massage. Let the oil nourish our tissues, let our skin enjoy that sense of touch, and allow our nervous system receive the nutrition from the herbs. I really like doing this in the evening in the fall season, and during stressful periods of life, and it supports a deeper sleep.

We can go to bed a little earlier, or enjoy the longer and darker nights, and practice a yoga nidra or progressive muscle relaxation meditation in the evening.  

We can drink some calming herbal teas – like chamomile or rose – and enjoy the floral aroma which can also calm and bring a sweetness to our nervous system.

And we can go to our spiritual practices – whatever they may be – and tap into that sense of trust, the power of something bigger than ourselves – and cultivate faith that no matter what happens, we will find our way. Breathe in deeply and breathe out deeply, feeling the power of shraddha (faith).

And, perhaps most needed right now, we can limit our screen time. Of course, we want to stay connected, aware and up to date on such important matters, but it might be a good idea to limit our news time to only reading a couple articles a day, or listening to 20 minutes of news, or one or two podcasts. Figure out who gives you the most reliable, fact-focused reports, and tune into that, letting the rest go for now. We have the power to set timers for ourselves, to turn our phones and computers off, and to take breaks. It is a form of self-care we can employ when the stress feels too overwhelming.  Do what you can to support your candidate, obviously go out and vote, and learn to let go when your nervous system tell you it's time. We can take a walk, or take a bath, or meet a friend for dinner, or do something nice for a neighbor down the street. Even if they have the opposite candidates sign in their yard.  Because long after this election is over, and even when the next president or congresswoman/congressman or judge has finished his or her term, we are still going to be here (most likely). We will be still living in our nervous system, still related to our family, still seeing our neighbors, still raising our kids and pets. So, let us not lose sight of how important it is to cultivate that inner steadiness and health, and deepen our personal roots into what provides us with the most support. No matter who wins this election.

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