2020 has been…something. Something not so great, to put it mildly. Most of us have been extremely stressed for the majority of the year. With the November presidential election coming up, the year has the potential to get even MORE stressful.
For most of the year, it’s been wise to limit your intake of the news and current events to only a need-to-know basis, but the election is not the best time to follow that advice. You want to be informed, so that you can make a fully informed decision when it comes time to cast your ballot.
However, we did want to advocate for another form of self-care (given that it is Self-Care Awareness Month): voting.
How is voting a form of self-care, you ask?
Well, it’s a form of caring for your mental health. By making an informed voting decision, you’ll know that you did your part and exercised your right as an American citizen. In this way, you won’t be suffering from information overload and the stress and anxiety that comes with that; rather you’ll actually be using what you learn and putting that knowledge into action by casting your ballot for the candidate you believe will be the best for our country.
Depending on your state of residence, there may or may not be laws requiring employers to give time off to their employees to vote. For all employers, we would highly recommend exercising compassion when it comes to evaluating your employees’ requests for time off to vote. An employee who is able to vote during the day (before the after-work lines begin) will not only be appreciative but also feel less stressed – and therefore be more productive upon returning to work.
In conclusion, do your part this year as an American citizen. Stay informed, and vote. Then, destress with a massage. 😉