Information Overload

So here we are, once again, in the middle of an election year, deeply engulfed in all of the political climate. During political election years, we are bombarded with a ton of information and opinions in the media. This includes news programs and social media. If we're not careful, it can be easy to find ourselves in a space of high stress, high anxiety, anger, frustration, and on and on. However, this can be prevented if we allow ourselves to set up personal boundaries. And this will look different for everyone. Some such boundaries include creating news-free times of the day, where you completely step away from the news. Or, perhaps, similarly, turning off the news notifications on your phone and, or unfollowing news accounts on social media. And as we are only human, we may slip-up from time to time and get sucked into the election and political whirlwind, and that's okay. Just bringing awareness to what's happening, no judgment necessary. And then perhaps utilizing some mindfulness techniques for not only managing those moments where we fond ourselves in emotional overwhelm, but also preventing it from happening at all. One such mindfulness exercise is the "STOP" technique. STOP, S-T-O-P, is an acronym that stands for "S," is for stop, stopping what you're doing. Creating that moment of pause. "T," is for take, taking a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Just to center and ground yourself in the present moment. "O," is for observe, observing what's going on with you physically, emotionally, and mentally. And "P," is for proceed, proceeding with whatever it was you were doing, making a wise and intentional choice with the clarity you have just learned. So with that being said, let's drop into a brief STOP practice right now. So no matter where you are, lets begin by getting into a nice and comfortable posture of awareness. Remembering that you can practice this STOP technique at any at any time and wherever you happen to be. And in this next moment, following the "S" in STOP, allowing yourself to gently take a pause and just stopping what you're doing right now. And perhaps shifting the attention to the natural flow of your breath. And noticing any thoughts that arise, gently letting them go, and shifting the attention back to stopping and the natural flow of your breath. And now following the "T" in STOP if it's comfortable for you at your own pace, taking gentle, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Remembering that taking deep breaths is an excellent way to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of relaxing the body from a state of overstimulation. And with your next breath, returning your breathing to its natural rhythm. And now following the "O" in STOP, simply observing what's present for you. What's present for you physically, any sensations that come into your awareness, anything you hear, anything you smell, anything...