Resources to Prepare and Empower Yourself
Election day is November 5
Find Your Voice: Check out all the information from UCARE about what you need to know to learn how to vote.
When Election Anxiety peaks, it’s a reminder to ensure you focus on life’s critical needs: ensure you get enough quality sleep, move your body throughout the day, eat nutritious foods, and stay hydrated. These basics come first. Then you can turn to additional destressing techniques that you know work for you. Perhaps it’s self-care strategies like journaling, therapy, exercise, socializing, reading, crafting, etc.
Find whatever works for you and reach out to people you trust. See below for additional resources and services as well as upcoming events to engage with election discussions - or mindful activities to destress away from election discussions.
Election Reflection Circle
- Hosted by Marion McKinney, this event is open to all to openly discuss thoughts and feelings related to the election on November 7 from 12-2pm in the Bear’s Den.
Below are articles sharing research, insights, and tips on how to manage election-related stress:
- Election Anxiety: 8 Tips to Manage Election-Related Anxiety
- Coping with Election Stress: 7 Tips from a Psychologist working at a College
- Election Anxiety: Managing Stress - plus an 11-minute guided meditation called Political Uncertainty
- Social Media Detox: 12 Ways to Scroll Less and Live More
- Listening Without Judgment: 5 Ways to Become a Better Listener
- How to Take Control of Your Life: 10 Ways to Empower Yourself
- Reducing Stress: 12 Relaxation Ideas to Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Sharon Salzberg has a 3-part Election Series exploring the application of a Buddhist framework including lovingkindness, compassion, equanimity, and sympathetic joy. The third session is the only one left:
- Resilience & Hope with Sharon Salzberg on October 23 from 7pm-815pm
Stanford University is hosting the Contemplation by Design Summit, full of free events the week before the election. Health Promotion will be hosting a few of their webinars together in the Hive and invite you to join and discuss together. You are welcome to register yourself and watch on your own any of the dozens of offerings. All offerings are free. A few examples include:
- Meditation and the Brain with Sara Lazar, PhD on October 29 from 845pm-10pm
- The Power of Fierce and Tender Self-Compassion with Kristin Neff, PhD on October 30 from 845pm-10pm
- Non-Judgmental Receptivity to Whatever Comes with Charles Junkerman on Saturday, November 2 from 10pm-1130pm
Every week during the semester, Health Promotion offers 4 wellness events that encourage mindfulness and build community:
- Breathe & Be - Tuesdays from 430pm-5pm on Zoom
- Gentle & Restorative Yoga - Tuesdays from 6pm-7pm in the Hive
- Trauma-Informed Hatha Yoga - Wednesdays from 7pm-8pm in the Hive
- What’s the Buzz - Thursdays from 7pm-8pm in the Hive
There’s also a time to mingle within the community mindfully: Happy Hour at the Hive!
- Thursday, October 17 from 330pm-430pm in the Hive
Community Meditation
Come together as a community in the Meditation Chapel in Bomberger for a short meditation practice every Wednesday from 6-7pm.
In addition to the four weekly wellness programs hosted by Health Promotion, students can also come by the Hive for these group webinars from 3pm-430pm each day - hosted in the Hive big group room:
- Responding Effectively in a Time of Crisis on Monday, October 28
- Well-being is a Skill: Perspectives from Contemplative Neuroscience on Tuesday, October 29
- Compassion and Joy: Practicing in Times of Uncertainty on Thursday, October 31 (register on own)
In addition to the regularly scheduled Drop-In Hours, students can also speak to a counselor at the following times in the Hive small group room (to the left behind the bathrooms):
- Monday, November 4 from 3pm-4pm
- Tuesday, November 5 from 11am-12pm
- Wednesday, November 6 from 11am-12pm
- Thursday, November 7 from 10am-11am
- Friday, November 8 from 10am-11am
Every week during the semester, the Wellness Center offers:
- Crisis Hour from 2pm-3pm in the Wellness Center
- Let’s Talk from 11am-12pm on Mondays and Thursdays
- Let’s Talk from 3pm-4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Thrive Group on Thursdays from 2pm-3pm
- New Perspectives Group on Fridays from 11am-12pm
Therapy Dogs are another option for students to destress as you pet a dog. Check out their upcoming schedule:
- Friday, October 25 from 12pm-1pm in Olin Plaza
- Thursday, October 31 from 4-5pm in Olin Plaza
- Tuesday, November 5 from 6-7pm in Bears Den
- Monday, November 11 from 11am-12pm in Bears Den
Text Election to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line anytime to talk to a supportive crisis counselor.
Baden Lecture
- The People who Hate the News (and Why They Hate It) with Assistant Professor Doron Taussig, Media and Communication Studies on Thursday, October 24 at 430pm in the Bears Den. Refreshments begin at 4:15pm.
Conversations About and Across Difference
Hosted by the Division for Inclusion, this lunchtime discussion is a great place to gather and discuss important issues. Join for one or all of the upcoming conversations in the Bears Den from 12pm-1pm:
- Thursday, October 24 - Facilitated by Johannes Karreth, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations with the question: “How can we make democracy more inclusive?
Election Chats
Johannes Karreth, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, has hosted a few group gatherings to discuss aspects of the election. Faculty will provide some non-partisan background information before opening up discussion. Bring your questions!
- Friday, October 25 from 12pm-1pm in Bomberger 206
How the World Votes
Come find out how people in other countries vote and enjoy dinner in community. Fulbright Language TAs will share a brief overview of the way voting works in their native countries of Colombia, France, and Germany and Melrose Fellows will moderate a general discussion.
- Monday, November 4 from 6-7pm in the Bear’s Den
Election Reflection Circle
- Hosted by Marion McKinney, this event is open to all to openly discuss thoughts and feelings related to the election on November 7 from 12-2pm in the Bear’s Den.
Come drop by the IIE classroom during any of these times for refreshments, to chat, and for some restorative time during this election week.
- Monday, November 4 from 11am-5pm
- Tuesday, November 5 from 11am-5pm
- Wednesday, November 6 from 1pm-5pm
- COLLEGEVILLE ITALIAN BAKERY: Exchange your I Voted sticker for a plain slice. They are more than a bakery but a community staple!
- UBER EATS: Get 25% off orders of $25 or more, with a maximum discount of $15. This offer goes live at 6:00 p.m. on election night and ends at 7am on Nov 6.
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GRUBHUB: If you have a Grubhub Plus membership, you can make the most of the following deals from Nov. 4 to Nov. 11.
- Starbucks: 30% off $20+ delivery orders (up to $9 off)
- Wendy’s: Free Baconator®, $25 minimum
- KFC: $7 off $25+ delivery order
- Shake Shack: Free SmokeShack, $25 minimum
- Arby’s: 25% off $25+ (up to $7 off)
- Little Caesars®: Free Extra Most Bestest® Pizza, $25 minimum
- HEY DUDE: If shoe shopping is on your to-do list today, you can buy either the left or right shoe and get the other one free (aka 50% off). The online only offer is good for 47 hours. Enter “left” or “right” at checkout.
- DAVE & BUSTER’S: Celebrate or blow off a little steam on Election Day at Dave & Buster’s. You can enjoy half-priced games, $5 beers and $5 late night bites. Or go big with the Eat, Drink, Play Combo Meal for $19.99.
- KRISPY KREME DONUTS: You can get one free Original Glazed Doughnut per guest at participating Krispy Kreme stores. The company said it wanted to “sweeten everyone’s day” and celebrate democracy. No proof of vote required.
- TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE: Tropic Rewards members will receive a free smoothie with a bowl or entree purchase on Nov. 5 (and through Nov. 10).