What is the appropriate, healthy way to respond to the coming election? Other than to vote, that is. Obviously “The sky is falling” is not, nor is depression, paranoia or conspiracy theories. Pray, if it works for you. Work magic, if you can. Focus on something else, an avoidance strategy…and vote. Tossing in the towel due to old anger at Obama or Hillary is non-adaptive to the current situation. In fact, some might deem it as avoidant as our president. Swallowing anxiety and getting an ulcer is not recommended. Don’t get a divorce just now nor make any impulsive decisions. Don’t kill or maim yourself. Drugs are contraindicated, as is a long alcoholic binge. Physically or verbally wreaking pain on one’s opponents builds anger, not pacifies it, and one may end up in jail. Don’t take out your frustration on the spouse, children, or little helpless pets. You can eat, gamble or smoke if you like, but that hardly qualifies as healthy. That seems to leave sleeping during the remaining days as an option, or by letting the anxiety out through artistic expression while deep breathing, before it turns into steam.

(P.S., please don’t ring my phone, or others’, and don’t stuff my mailbox with who to vote-for’s. That may help your anxiety, but it wreaks havoc on mine).