As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, many Americans are bracing themselves for the change. According to a new report by Time Magazine, some individuals are experiencing increased anxiety and feelings of hopelessness about the incoming administration. To cope with these emotions, psychology experts and therapists have suggested a variety of activities that can help people shift their focus away from anxiety and gain a new perspective.
Emiliana Simon-Thomas, a psychology expert and science director at the University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, recommends exercising, engaging in a creative activity, showing an act of kindness, smiling at strangers, and attending a performance. These activities can improve one’s mood, provide a sense of control, and foster a sense of connection with others.
Other tips include working out to regain a sense of power, group crying with friends or a trusted individual, volunteering, journaling, making a vision board, dancing, and “forest bathing.” The latter activity, also known as shinrin-yoku, involves spending time in nature to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
According to Simon-Thomas, group crying can be beneficial, but it’s essential to do it with someone who can provide support. She notes that people who cry with someone they trust can recover more quickly from their grief.
Some critics, including conservative activist Robby Starbuck, have mocked the suggestions, labeling them as “weird” and calling into question the credibility of Time Magazine. However, many mental health professionals believe that these activities can be effective in helping people cope with their emotions and anxieties during this time of political uncertainty.