Stress relief resources for election season 

From TV and radio ads to text messages, online promotions and more, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed about the upcoming elections when we’re constantly exposed to political content. While staying informed is important, the overconsumption of news can negatively impact our mental well-being.  

Explore the curated resources below and find ways to practice self-care, bolster your resilience and ease your mind throughout this election season.

UF 

• If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious and would like to speak with someone, schedule an appointment with an Employee Assistance Program therapist. UF faculty, staff, graduate assistants, non-student OPS employees, housestaff/residents, and postdoc associates are eligible for six free counseling sessions.  

• From mindful creativity and movement to silence, stillness and generosity, explore upcoming 360° Mindfulness workshop sessions, held Mondays at 5:30 p.m.   

• Take a break whenever and wherever you need it. Listen to prerecorded guided meditation sessions and refocus your mind. 

• Step away from the noise with campus walking maps, or visit one of the mindfulness rooms on campus when you’re feeling overwhelmed. 

• Explore the Resilience and Emotional Well-being Toolkit, packed with practical tip cards and curated UF resources on managing anger, regulating emotions, coping with anxiety, practicing self-care and overcoming depression, among other essential topics.   

• Join Calm on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. to learn about the fundamentals for building resilience. 

Calm 

Have you signed up for your free subscription to Calm? Explore these resources available online and in the app. 

• Feeling overwhelmed? Explore the Information Overload Collection. 

• Hear from Jay Shetty, author and life coach, as he shares simple yet effective tools for dealing with feelings of helplessness, easing overwhelm and taking care of yourself while navigating world events. 

• Learn about political anxiety and how news consumption can cause stress. Plus, how to stop worrying about politics with 10 mindful tips to help find your calm.  

• Is the media stressing you out? Get a good night’s sleep with these three stories that’ll lift your spirits and leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

• Complete a guided meditation to help you keep an open mind and release the tendency to judge those with a different perspective. 

• A small act of kindness can create a ripple effect. Identify ways to proactively spread kindness and make a difference in your corner of the world.  

• Explore the For Work Collection to help reduce stress associated with common workplace challenges, such as overwhelming workloads and frustration with colleagues. 

• Learn how to set healthy boundaries to prevent overwhelm in “A Secret to Better Boundaries” with author Jeff Warren. 

• Try this breathing exercise to help you reset and calm down so you can get back to your day with ease.