As President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration approaches, a new report says some Americans are “fearful” of a return to the Republican Presidency and are feeling increasingly anxious.
Time magazine on Friday reported on 11 “science-backed” activities people can try on Monday to deal with “despair” about the incoming administration.
Psychology experts and therapists have suggested a variety of activities to help people who are emotional about Trump's return take their focus off their anxiety and gain a new perspective.
Emiliana Simon-Thomas, a psychology expert and scientific director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, recommends exercising, doing creative activities, and showing acts of kindness. , recommends smiling at strangers and going to see a performance. These activities can lift your mood, help you regain a sense of control and feel connected to others, she said.
Working out can “regain the sense of strength you may feel lacking on Inauguration Day.” The report said:. “We may not be able to do anything about the new administration's policies, but you know what we can do? 15 fully formed jumping jacks.”
The report also recommended collective crying.
“It may seem counterintuitive, but if you need to shed a few tears on Inauguration Day, it's healthy to do so with one caveat: You shouldn't do it alone. ,” Time reported.
“People recover with an order of magnitude more grace and speed when they have the opportunity to cry with support from someone they trust and who they believe cares about them,” says Simon.・Thomas says.
Other mental health experts recommended volunteering, journaling, creating vision boards, dancing, and “forest bathing.”
“It's humbling,” therapist Anindita Bhowmik said in a Time report. “This mountain will be there forever, and you are one man standing here. Everything will pass away, but nature will still be there.”
Film director and conservative activist Robbie Starbuck, in a post about X, mocked some of the strategies mentioned in the story.
“11 ways to avoid an Inauguration Day spiral include 'forest bathing' and crying in groups,” Starbucks posted.
“1. Democrats are really weird. 2. Time magazine is a total joke,” he added.
