Forest bathing? Time Magazine shares 11 ways to avoid ‘spiraling on Inauguration Day’

Peaceful transfers of power need to come with trigger warnings, apparently.

President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be televised around the nation, a distressing thought for leftists who have been in a doom spiral since November 5. Capitalizing on the “the sky is falling” attitude, TIME Magazine has published a list of “11 Things to Do on Inauguration Day That Are Great for Your Mental Health.”

Look:

“On Monday, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. For some, it’s a highly anticipated day of celebration. Others have been dreading it—and would happily finagle a deal with the universe to skip to some other day four years down the road instead,” the article begins.

“Why so much distress after months of processing the outcome of this divisive election? Many people are probably catastrophizing, experts say, a cognitive distortion that involves fixating on the worst possible outcome and believing it’s bound to happen.”

So what are some of the ways TIME says you should spend your day?

“Give back,” they suggest. “Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress and depression, boost happiness, and enhance life satisfaction, motivation, social support, and sense of community. ”

Another piece of advice is to “work out” which could help you “wrest back a sense of power that you might feel is missing on Inauguration Day.”

You could also “get creative,” the outlet says. “No one’s able to pay attention to everything all at once,” says Emiliana Simon-Thomas, the science director at the University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, “and if you focus deeply on something like drawing a picture, you’ll have less space in your brain to devote to the day’s events.”

Not the artsy type? There’s always the option to “do some forest bathing.” This is basically a fancy “I-went-to-college” way of saying spending time in nature. “Spend time in nature using your senses to connect with the environment. Even better, silence your phone while you’re doing it,” TIME notes.

A more simple, less rugged option is to “spend five minutes journaling” which can help you “reduce mental clutter and quiet spiraling thoughts” says  Lincoln Park Therapy Group in Chicago therapist Nicolle Osequeda.

“It can also help you identify patterns in your worries—which allows you to start brainstorming solutions,” the outlet says. “Osequeda likes ending journaling sessions with a simple affirmation: ‘I can take breaks from the news,’ or ‘I choose to protect my peace.'”

“Go see a performance,” suggests the next mental health tip, adding that “Research suggests experiences that spark awe, like inspiring performances, boost your mood and lead to greater well-being in the moment, among other benefits.”

You could always “do something kind” which they say can “offer a sense of empowerment on a day when such a feeling might otherwise be lacking.”

Want something cheap and easy to boost your happy chemicals? Perhaps you should “smile at people,” they say. “On Inauguration Day, challenge yourself to greet others in a friendly way,” they write as if most people would find that difficult.

Need a more in-the-moment solution? Get up and “dance it out” to songs like “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift or “Happy” by Pharrell. “[U]pbeat songs trigger the release of dopamine and endorphins, while dancing relieves physical tension—all of which can help counteract anxiety.”

A group activity could be to “cry it out” because even though “crying alone isn’t overly helpful, crying around others often leads to comfort, support, empathy, and stronger social bonds.”

And finally, if none of the other mental health tips do it for you, there’s always the option to “zoom out.”

“Inauguration Day is a good time to focus on gaining perspective—and to decide whether you want to merely withstand the next four years, or treat them like an opportunity. Switching up your mindset can feel daunting, Simon-Thomas acknowledges, but it’s a great way to overcome feelings of overwhelm and hopelessness,” the article reads.

“She recommends a mental exercise that can help you zoom out: Start by imagining a trail marker on a long, winding path. ‘Back out a little bit and go, “Well, where is that marker, and where is the trail starting and where is the trail ending?”‘ she says. You might even travel back in time and think about where the idea for the trail originated and who actually created it, clearing brush and heaving piles of dirt.”

X users had some feelings on the list:

Sierra Marlee

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