Five Things to Do Post-Election 2020
How to Decompress, Re-Center, and Move Forward
by Beer is for Everyone
1. DRINK WATER.
Who has been drinking this entire election week? I know, I have. And, I don’t mean the Kool-Aid. From mid-day on Tuesday, I was already feeling the stress and pressure of the election and the next four years. By Tuesday night, I was breaking into the 13% ABV brews and cask strength whiskey. Fast forward to Thursday – it was starting to feel like a never-ending race. As the margins tightened in the battleground states, the tension grew further on Friday. This week has felt like a perpetual hangover. So, will Saturday finally give us the finale we demand? We’ll find out. However, until then, give your liver a break. Drink 1,703 glasses of clean, crisp water. Your body deserves it after this week.
2. GET SOME VITAMIN D, NATURALLY.
With briefings and news every single minute of the day, many of us have been glued to our screens. In an era of instant gratification, we needed to know the play-by-play change in the election results. So, this weekend, get out and enjoy the sunshine. Let your body soak in some natural Vitamin D by taking a hike, going to the beach, or having a picnic outside. The sun is the best source of this magical vitamin that will boost your mood and fight against depression. We could all use a little more of that, don’t you agree?
3. TAKE A BREAK AND HAVE SOME FUN.
If this week has taught us anything, it is that the United States is incredibly divided in our current era of sociopolitics. This division can be an incredibly heartbreaking realization filled with feelings of hopelessness and gloom. So, temporarily absolve yourself from unnecessary responsibilities and do something fun, something enjoyable, something that will make you feel good – within reason, of course. While this is a serious time, we need to give ourselves a break too. Take a bubble bath, be silly, do yoga, play a board game, watch a feel-good flick, eat the damn cake.
4. THANK THE THANKLESS.
Elections do not happen by themselves. Especially during a pandemic, there have been so many (clean) hands that have worked to make this election possible. Many times, the people doing the hard work are invisible, and the jobs are thankless. So, if you know a poll worker, make an effort to actually show your gratitude. Also, appreciate the United States Postal workers who have been tirelessly ensuring that ballots were safely delivered and gathered. There have been so many others who have made this week successful. So, thank them. Bake them cookies with the biggest chocolate chips you can possibly find.
5. MAKE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
The election is only a step in the direction of progress. The work must not stop after this week. As we can see, there is so much more work to be done. Let that reality set in. Then, take a breath, and make a plan for the future. Continue to do the good work needed to enact genuine change. In addition, for the counties that will require runoff elections, keep the momentum alive. These seats are critically important for Congress. The future is ours, as long as we create it.