Tips to deal with Inauguration Day anxiety
Original Source: USA9, Author: Jess Arnold, Published: 7:32 AM EST January 13, 2025
The virtual mental health clinic Modyfi Health is hosting weekly group sessions to help process post-election anxiety.
WASHINGTON — With Inauguration Day exactly one week away, some people have been reporting increased anxiety. A virtual mental health clinic is offering support.
Modyfi Health is a virtual mental health clinic that takes an integrated health approach from mental health to nutrition.
Their clinician team took a pulse on their clients after Election Day and found a common thread.
"A lot of people were saying that their clients were bringing up a lot of like, anxiety and unease, just not knowing what's going to happen in the future," psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Deb Dunman said. "And we were trying to brainstorm, like, resources, things we could do to help."
"There's definitely a general theme of, like anxiety about the future, unknown, what is going to happen," Dunman said. "And then another thing that comes up a lot is how this is going to affect relationships… And then the other thing is a lot of anxiety about, how do I consume news in a way that is, like, responsible and I'm getting what I need and being a good citizen without stressing myself out.”
All of these feelings are coming to a head with Inauguration Day one week away.
Even if you do not want to join one of these group sessions, Dunman offers tips to help process any anxiety you might be feeling about the future.
Talk to emotionally safe people, preferably face to face. "It's really important to talk with other people in a safe environment, and that's one of the most important things for managing anxiety is not being isolated."
Distinguish between fact-based news coverage and opinion-based analysis, and choose the former to stay up-to-date without becoming overwhelmed.
Prioritize self-care using the PLEASE acronym.
“Another thing that is very simple, but really goes out of the window when we have anxiety is our really basic self care. So there's an acronym that people can use. It's please, P, L, E, A, S, E," Dunman said. "So the PL is physical illness. So if you're feeling under the weather, attending to that before you're worrying about anything else, if possible. E is eating enough, so making sure that you're getting nutrition every day…A is avoiding mood altering substances… And then the S is for sleep, so don't watch your news until 10 o'clock and then try to go to bed. Make sure you're prioritizing your sleep. And then the last one is exercise, the last E."
Modyfi Health is offering two more of these group sessions -- this Thursday, January 16, and the Thursday after Inauguration Day.
If you want to participate, you have to be at least 18, live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and do a screening call with Modyfi.
