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If you’re feeling stressed about the election, you’re not alone. Elections, and the time leading up to them, can uniquely impact each of the 8 dimensions of well being–emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial. As a campus community, we recognize that these next few weeks may be difficult, and that we each may be carrying the weight of the election outcome in different ways.

In this season, campus members are encouraged to utilize the following tips to engage in self care and community care, as well as attending support spaces, drop-in community art activities, and recharge rooms on campus. If individual support is needed, please utilize the following resources: 

Students: CHWS, Uwill, CSS, Chaplaincy

Staff/Faculty: Canopy Employee Assistance Program, Chaplaincy 

Events for Engaging in Self and Community Care

 

Date/Time Event Title Description
OCTOBER 29    
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 pm SIP Civic Engagement Team Table Join the Student Involvement and Programs (SIP) Civic Engagement Team outside the SUB to learn more about voting, mail in ballots, and pick up postage stamps and FREE stickers! 
OCTOBER 30    
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. SIP Civic Engagement Team Table Join the SIP Civic Engagement Team outside the SUB to learn more about voting, mail in ballots, and pick up postage stamps and FREE stickers! 
NOVEMBER 4    
All day on Instagram! Election Hero Day Check out the Student Involvement and Programs Instagram account @sipofpugetsound to see some of the  election heroes in our campus community! 

12:15 - 12:45p.m.

Murray Boardroom, Wheelock 108

 

 Spiritual Practices When the World is Falling Apart: Staying Connected Without Being Overwhelmed

Each week this semester, the University Chaplaincy is hosting a 30-minute-or-less space for students, faculty, and staff to explore a wide range of ways to stay spiritually centered (whatever that means) in times of personal or social challenge, including election week. 

3:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Murray Boardroom, Wheelock 108

 

 Election Expressions: Decorate & Reflect Join the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity and the Center for Student Support in an inclusive, community building, non-judgmental drop-in space offer a creative journaling activity and opportunity for students to engage in open dialogue about present-moment emotions, particularly those related to the election. 
     
NOVEMBER 5    

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Wheelock Lobby 

 Election Day Cupcakes & Stickers Stop by the Student Involvement and Programs Civic Engagement Team table to celebrate election day with cupcakes and "I voted!" stickers!
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Rasmussen Rotunda, WSC		 Labyrinth & Calming Contemplation A centering space featuring a walkable labyrinth and calming lighting and music. This is a drop-in event.
2:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Murray Board Room, Wheelock 108		 Recharge: Comfort, Community, & Creativity

Engaging in creative activities can positively impact mental health. CHWS and the Chaplaincy are offering this welcoming drop-in space to encourage creativity in a supportive community setting. Join us to collage, decorate a canvas bag, try bead crafts, or paint. We’ll also provide resources for additional support options and snacks!
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Kilworth Memorial Chapel		 Space for Spiritual Centering

Join the University Chaplaincy in the chapel for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer.
     
NOVEMBER 6  

 

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Rasmussen Rotunda, WSC

 Pause for Paws Visit the Rotunda to spend some quality time with our favorite furry friends and some hot chocolate!
2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Murray Boardroom, Wheelock 108		 Supportive Space for Election Processing Join CHWS staff for a drop-in calming space where you can collage, decorate a journal, and engage with self-care writing prompts. You can also work on a Post Election Empowerment Plan. Resources for additional support and snacks provided!
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Murray Boardroom,
Wheelock 108		 Recharge Room Join the Chaplaincy student staff for a drop-in restorative space with low-key activities like puzzling, coloring, and crafting. Enjoy a hot beverage and dessert!
     
NOVEMBER 7  

 
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Murray Boardroom,
Wheelock 108		 Post Election Processing Space A drop-in calming space to collage, decorate a journal and respond to self-care writing prompts, and/or fill out a Post Election Empowerment Plan. Resources on additional support provided. Baked potato bar from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.!
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. 

Murray Boardroom,
Wheelock 108		 Potatoes & Politics: An Update on What We Do or Don't Know Join the campus community at 12:15p.m. for an update on "where we stand now" from the Politics and Government department. Enjoy the baked potato bar from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
     
NOVEMBER 18    
6:00 - 7:15 pm

Wheelock Rotunda		 The Forgotten History of the Electoral College - And Why It Matters Today Historian Carolyn Dupont will lecture on her new book: an engaging mix of history and political science, Distorting Democracy will awaken Americans to the perils of our system by unveiling the Electoral College’s origins, history, and current problems. This book demonstrates that the system has no principled foundation, that it has changed dramatically over its 230–year history, and that it now threatens the legitimacy of our political system.
10 Ideas for Engaging is Self & Community Care

“Be present” is a phrase used a lot in mindfulness and meditation. This phrase is a reminder to give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling in the moment, and then to let it go of this feeling when you’re ready, or use that feeling to spark action and engage in positive coping mechanisms.  

Being present also reminds us to use grounding techniques to anchor in the moment, rather than ruminating on future or past worries. Some examples of grounding techniques might be breathing exercises or observing the world around you–using your senses to slow down, notice, and appreciate smells, sounds, tastes and sensations. 

For more information about  a variety of grounding techniques, we recommend this resource: www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques 

For Students, you can also use URise (access through your UWill account) URise has a variety of online videos in which a mental health practitioner will lead you through different grounding techniques

What helps you cope with things that are hard? Think about your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs and write down a list of things that you require to maintain balance and reassurance in each of these categories. Share this list with others in your life who need to know.  Be honest and clear with yourself and others. Remember, to be clear is to be kind, and communicating your needs is the first step to getting them met.  Set boundaries that allow you to take breaks from the news cycle or walk away from overly heated political discussions. 

The nature of a democracy means that the outcome of an election may or may not align with your views.  When officials are elected who actively believe in views or support policies that may be  harmful to you or your community, this situation can quickly become overwhelming and seem hopeless.

In this situation, focus on what you can do–what are the immediate items or tasks that you can control and influence?  Can you check in on a friend or family member? Can you attend a support group? Can you help someone else in your community feel comfort or safety? Can you make sure you’re nourished? Can you schedule an appointment with a therapist? Think about small steps and actions that will help you feel better and help you be in community with allies and friends.

Creativity is loosely defined as the capacity to make a novel, unique, and original product. Doing an activity that uses creativity has a lot of benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Artistic expression through writing, dance, art, or music can promote relaxation, provide a means of self expression, reduce your  blood pressure, boost your immune system, and lower stress. It can also help with processing your emotions in a different way. 

Caring for yourself is the first step in caring for your community. As we encounter difficult situations, your community can also care for you. Caring for your community through volunteer work, activism, and engaging in social justice movements can provide a sense of purpose and direction. Volunteering your time, your gifts, your energy to work toward a cause that matters to you can provide a sense of calm and relief in knowing that as you care for yourself, you are also caring for your community. 

Spending time with others is a natural and necessary part of human existence. Even sitting alone in a crowded cafe and working independently can provide a sense of community and warmth. As you encounter challenges and difficult times, sometimes this creates a tendency to avoid community settings and spend time alone. Think through how to create a good balance of restorative alone time, coupled with time to be in community with others. Try some of these ideas: cook a communal meal with friends; have a movie night; play a board game; find spaces and people that are supportive, and make it a priority to spend time in those spaces. 

Limit your non-productive screen time. Some ideas to think about are: use social media sparingly–try limiting your feed to see posts only from a select few accounts. You can use an app to set limits on your screen time to avoid doom scrolling, or set reminders when you’ve been using a particular app for too long. Although social media can be a valuable way to connect with others, spending too much time on social media can be detrimental to your mental health. 

Remember recess? It was a much needed break from sitting and absorbing information to spend time socializing, playing, and being outside. Joyful movement is like a recess for your body– it is moving your body in a way that is enjoyable to you. Try engaging in joyful movement by taking a walk/stroll/roll outside, putting on a dance mix and lip syncing, or engaging in a casual, low stakes, game or activity like frisbee or kite flying. Exercise, an aerobic activity like running or biking that gets your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes, can also be a great way to relieve stress, and improve your mood. 

When you’re involved in academic pursuits and mired in assigned readings, sometimes it’s hard to find time to read for pleasure. However, being immersed in fictional or narrative writing has emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical benefits. Reading allows you to enhance meaningful contemplation, empathy, perspective taking, and provides a temporary escape from the stress and grind of daily life. During election season, reading a novel that departs from reality can provide a quiet and restorative retreat.  

The phrase, “emotionally draining,” is real! Sustained negative emotions such as stress or anxiety can take a toll on your energy levels. It’s important to prioritize rest. This can look different for everyone, but the important thing is to do something that is restorative for you. In difficult times, remember to attend to your basic physical needs such as eating nutrient-dense fibrous foods (fruits and veggies!) and protein, drinking water, and getting at least 7 - 10 hours of quality sleep each night.