Five more days to go until the general election. While many of us have already voted, either by mail or in-person during early voting hours, many are expecting to stand in hours-long lines on Tuesday, November 3rd as we prepare to pull a lever or fill in an oval and cast our vote for both local and national candidates. And given the risks from the pandemic as well as the higher decibels of campaign rhetoric, few of us are calm in the midst of the national chaos we’re all experiencing. In fact, recent polls show that 70% of the electorate feels this election as a source of stress, regardless of their party or political affiliation. So how can you dial back the distress and stay calm during these moments? According to WBUR News, you need to set your expectations and construct your actions accordingly: assume we won’t know the results on Nov. 3, limit your online scrolling, especially of political news, double down on such healthy habits as sleep, physical activity, and nutritious eating, and remain hopeful. And if you are voting in person, make sure to take care and stay safe: keep your mask on and wear it correctly during the entire time, attempt to vote during off-peak hours (if such exist), and bring your own pen (or computer stylus) so you’re not sharing and spreading germs either by writing or pressing a screen.

And you may want to employ some stress-reducing techniques that will not only be helpful for the coming days but that are also known to be beneficial for healthier aging. First up is a reminder of the benefit of a mindfulness practice, to help you stay in the moment and not ruminate about the past or worry about what’s to come. Whether you’re focused on your breathing or chanting a meditation, mindfulness is a valuable way to lower your stress and improve your well-being. Moreover, a new study published in Sleep Health reports that just ½ hour of more sleep at night will improve your ability to be mindfully present and focused on your current experiences. We know that adequate sleep is essential to our mental health so it’s no wonder that poor sleep can get in the way of a focused mindfulness session. For further info, clasp your hands together and click here.

As well, we at agebuzz have previously touted the healthy aging benefits of yoga, not only for physical well-being but for the brain-boosting and stress-relieving properties that come with the poses, concentrated breathing, and mindful meditation that are part and parcel of yoga. And now a new review of scientific evidence backing yoga, as recently reported in Scientific American, underscores the positive evidence that supports yoga as a way to enhance brain matter critical to memory and healthy brain aging. While relieving the stress of the upcoming days, you’ll also be strengthening the neural brain connections that allow for better mental functioning. So strike a pose, dial down your stress, and read more here.