As I am writing this commentary the day before the election, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I am filled with existential angst. I would venture to say that this is true of many of us the world over. As this commentary airs, on the Thursday after the election, I am not sure we will know who the next president of the United States will be.
What I do know is that, as Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. This can drive a lot of us nuts. A recent survey by the American Psychological foundation notes that 69% of American adults are seriously stressed about the 2024 presidential election. This got me to thinking about one of my favorite classes that I teach for the Honors College at WIU – Mindfulness Fundamentals.
Over the course of sixteen weeks, students explore how mindfulness practices, which originated in Eastern spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, have become increasingly popular and can be powerful tools for managing stress and anxiety.
At the beginning of the semester, many of my students struggled against that notion of mindfulness being nothing more than sitting still and clearing your mind. But it’s much more than that. It's about cultivating a focused awareness of the present moment, which can be achieved through various practices including movement, walking, or even lying down.
Not into meditation? No worries, you can still apply nonjudgmental awareness, focused on the present, to help relieve any anxiety you might be feeling. In my household it looks something like this: being present. We made a conscious decision as a family to turn off our phones and not watch or listen to the news. Sorry Tri States Public Radio. Having voted early, we are going to spend the day doing things that bring us joy. Like cooking together, taking walks with the pups, being outside, and visiting friends and neighbors.
I can hear some of you say, but aren’t you really just avoiding what is happening around us? Not really, because I have made a conscious decision to be present. Savoring my morning cup of coffee and being grateful for friends and family brings me back to the present. If I had been sitting in front of the TV instead of in my library looking out the windows, I would have missed the beautiful family of deer walking across the street heading the apple orchard behind our house. I would have missed the group of women runners out for their morning jaunt, which is also a great way to destress. I would have missed the adorable way the pups’ ears perk up when someone walks by.
In observing these things without judgement, I can feel my shoulders drop and my heart rate return to normal. In doing so, I am reminding myself of what is actually happening right now, rather than letting hypothetical fears take over.
Choose your actions with intention. Don’t forget, the goal of 24-hour news cycle is to increase ratings. I’m so old I remember when there were three channels, four on a good day, and the national news came on at 5:30. And guess what? The world is still here.
As clinical psychologist, Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala wrote in a recent article in The Conversation, “Although you may have serious concerns about the fate of the nation, those outcomes have not yet come to bear…We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. For now, focus on the step right in front of you.”
Rasheed Ogunlara once said, “Step outside for a while – calm your mind. It is better to hug a tree than to bang your head against a wall continually.”
And with that dear friends, I’m off to walk my favorite labyrinth at Lakeview Nature Center.
Heather McIlvaine-Newsad is a Professor of Anthropology at Western Illinois University. Her research focuses on collaborative action for sustainability.
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the university or Tri States Public Radio.
Diverse viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged.