For most of us, there's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty tied to this election. Because of this, prioritizing self-care and mental wellness is more important than ever this week. Incorporate these 6 self-care practices in your routine this week - and remember, we're all in this together.

Vote to ensure your voice is heard

The most important step to self-care for election week is voting. The election results may be out of your control, but making your voice heard is crucial and your vote matters. Be sure to exercise your right to vote and make a difference - our future depends on it. 

Meditate + take deep breaths

The simplest way to practice self-care is to be still, and simply breathe. When you breathe deeply, your body sends a message to your brain to calm down. Your brain then sends signals to the rest of your body decreasing fast heart rate, fast breathing, etc caused by anxiety and nerves. If you're new to meditating and breathing techniques - check out this 4-7-8 technique.

Unplug while waiting for information

 It's important to stay informed, but spending the week in front of the TV or refreshing the news will only add to your heightened election anxiety. Set boundaries for yourself to only check once or twice a day to stay informed.

Do a relaxing yoga flow

Yoga is a mind body exercise that combines physical movement with meditation and controlled breathing. Because of this, you not only are getting stress-relief from exercise but also mindfulness. Try an at-home yoga class on youtube or head to your local studio!

Nourish Your Body

Calm election anxiety by nourishing your body with grounding self-care. Start with dry brushing to stimulate lymphatic flow, followed by a warm shower with coconut oil sugar scrub to hydrate and soothe your skin. Pair these rituals with nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, berries, and omega-rich nuts to help you feel centered and resilient.

Keep a larger perspective + stay positive

Elections and leadership can have a huge impact on our lives and the issues we care about. At the same time, they're not the be-all and end-all of what happens to us. Community action, mutual aid, local organizing, and other systems exist that give people the power to keep themselves safe, support their communities, push leaders to take pro-social actions, and create the larger changes we need to see in our country and in the world. (via mindbodygreen)