• Expect the need for more self care. Self-care activities can help you recover from the effects of stress and recharge you to keep you going. Creating routines and rituals for sleep, creative expression, movement, or mindfulness are great ways to help your body process stress.
• Notice your signs of stress. Stress can show up not only in your thoughts, but as muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, or a change in appetite. Use these signs as information that you may benefit from extra support.
• Get curious about what’s fueling your stress. Is it uncertainty about the future? A difficult conversation? You may not have full control of all stressors, but you can focus on the small steps that are within your power.
• Create an action checklist. Make sure you’re registered to vote, know your polling place, and create a voting plan.

One way to protect your mental health is to set boundaries around news intake. Our brains are wired to notice negative information more readily than positive information. Social media can amplify this by igniting strong emotions. Here are some ways to stay informed without doomscrolling and getting overwhelmed.

• Declutter your news feed. Unfollow accounts that are polarizing and follow outlets that provide trustworthy and reliable information.
• Manage your alerts. Remove push notifications so that you are in control of when alerts come your way. Instead, designate a time of day to check in on your sources.
• Practice a “reset” activity after getting news updates. Check in on how you feel and decompress with a walk, music, watching something funny, a grounding practice, or something else that helps you relax.
• Avoid endless scrolling. Set a time limit (apps and phone settings can help with this) and take frequent breaks.
• Schedule “no-phone” times. Replace some of your screen time with something else. Go for a walk, talk to a friend on the phone or in-person, listen to music, or try a grounding exercise.

In times of uncertainty, maintaining connection with people we care about and who understand us can help ease stress. Acknowledging our shared humanity also allows us to build empathy. Here are some ways to build meaningful connection.

• Build a network of support. Engage with people and spaces that affirm your experience. Connect with peers, leaders, allies, mentors that inspire hope and belonging.
• Prioritize activities that give you meaning. Whether it’s spending quality time with someone, joining a phone bank, or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, finding meaning through your actions can combat feelings of overwhelm or hopelessness and help you stay mobilized.
• Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mentor, advisor, or mental health professional to support you, especially if the stress you feel makes it difficult to manage other aspects of your daily life.
• Be with others, IRL. When possible, find ways to connect in person.
• Honor your boundaries. Disagreements are normal. Check in with yourself before choosing to discuss sensitive topics with others. Center spaces that encourage respectful dialogue.