Election stress is one thing but election stress on top of, COVID-19 stress and seasonal stress is another layer of emotion. Here are 5 tips to cope with post-election stress.

1. Reconnect with Family and Friends – Take a break from social media and connect with friends, family and community members virtually or in a safe way. If you have concerns over the election, express those with people you feel safe with to get those concerns off your chest.
2. Channel Your Stress into Something Productive – You have the power to impact your community more than you think! It feels good to know you are making a difference. Create a plan to donate, volunteer or share the message of an organization you support. If you have strong feelings towards the political system, see what actions can be taken at the local level.
3. Limit Media Consumption – Reduce the amount of media you are consuming in a day. Take note of the way the news makes you feel and adjust accordingly. A large amount of exposure to political upheaval can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety. Limit TV time and phone screen time. Set parameters on your TV or turn off notifications on your phone.
4. Set Boundaries – Conversations around the election can cause stress especially if there are disagreements on political views. Take a moment to understand a point of view rather than to persuade a point of view. Have a toolkit of phrases to pull from when you are ready to disconnect from a conversation. Phrases like, “Thank you for the conversation but I have to go now” or “I appreciate this conversation, but I must attend to my work now” are great to have handy.
5. Self-Care – Overall, take care of yourself by creating healthy habits to deal with stress. Eat healthy, exercise, work on a hobby, get enough sleep and avoid drugs and alcohol to cope.

Read the full article HERE

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s: Protecting Your Mental Health During the Holidays

Concerned about the impact of the holiday season on your mental health? You are not alone.

In a recent survey, nearly 88% of adults referred to the holiday season (or the period beginning in November and lasting until the New Year) as the most stressful time of the year. And while some stress is inevitable, too much stress, especially if we are already having mental health challenges, can challenge our ability to cope.

The good news? There are things you can do that can help during this stressful time.

Get outside during daylight hours.

Having fewer hours of daylight during the season can have a negative impact on your mood. Especially during the months of November and December, and especially if you struggle with depression, try to find 30 minutes to get outside during daytime hours. Walk somewhere instead of driving, invite a friend or neighbor to take a daily walk, sit outside every day, or watch a sunrise.

Take a risk and connect if you are feeling lonely.

Chances are pretty good that you are not the only one feeling lonely this season. Reach out to someone who may also be feeling that way. Sharing how you are feeling may empower them to do the same. Talk about ways you can stay connected and support each other this season. A regular call, text or note to check in with each other may help both of you.

Do at least one thing to improve your sleep this season.

Keeping consistent sleep hours (and getting enough sleep) can help you to better navigate the stressful months of the season. Pick one thing you will do to improve your sleep and do it as consistently as you can. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier, leave your phone in another room, make the room completely dark (or use an eye mask or dark curtains), or keep the thermostat lower, since we often sleep better in cooler temperatures.

More ideas HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, November 15th– MINNESOTA CONFERENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING – 8am – 5pm – ONLINE OR AT THE HERITAGE CENTER OF BROOKLYN CENTER – 6155 EARLE BROWN DRIVE, BROOKLYN CENTER, MN 55430

Thursday, November 17th- “Involving parents and caregivers: A team-based approach” Led by Jerry Halverson, MD, FACPsych, DFAPA, and Joshua Nadeau, PhD, this webinar will explore the importance and benefits of family involvement for youths and adolescents during mental health treatment. REGISTER

Friday November 18th- No Wait, That’s Grief Virtual Symposium seeks to unite the stories of a variety of individuals from different backgrounds, life circumstances, and lived experiences with one common thread – grief. REGISTER

Friday, December 2nd- FREE HYBRID CEU “Affluence and Addiction” presented by Arden O’Connor. Statistics demonstrate that children raised in wealthy families and affluent communities are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. REGISTER

If you have any news or announcements you would like added to the FastTrackerMN.org Newsletter, please Email us:

Samantha with Substance Use Programs – Samantha@FastTrackerMN.org and
Jessica with Mental Health – Jessica@FastTrackerMN.org

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