Practicing self-compassion could be the key to overcoming post-election stress


Many people feel drained after going through yet another fiercely contested US presidential election. Regardless of how you feel about the election results, the relentless coverage and flood of political ads have left us all a bit weary.
Given the current political divide, you may be searching for more meaningful ways to prioritize your well-being. What better time to begin practicing self-compassion than on World Kindness Day?
The three core components of self-compassion — mindfulness, common humanity and kindness — are essential for offering yourself the same understanding and support that you would readily give to others.
“We should be with that sadness and hopelessness and despair, let it all in, feel it, acknowledge it, give yourself compassion for the incredible pain of it, and then start moving again,” Neff said.
Common humanity helps us embrace our differences
Although it might feel like people on opposing sides of the political spectrum are living in two different realities, we are not actually all living alone. As people, we are connected by more than our political beliefs through shared emotions, experiences and identities.
Starting from within may be the key to better understanding those who disagree with you, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Self and identity
Kindness is about prioritizing your peace
Practicing kindness involves adopting a supportive and encouraging mindset, especially in how you talk to yourself and make decisions.
“I’ve had to say this to myself, ‘no matter what happens, I’ll get through it,’” Neff said. “Day by day, I’ll be there to support myself to support others.”
Extending kindness to yourself also can take many forms after the election, such as setting boundaries with those around you to protect your inner peace. Boundary setting as a form of self-compassion may look different depending on your needs, Horn advised.
For some, this might look like embracing common humanity by centering conversations around nonpolitical topics. Engaging in respectful dialogue when discussing politics may provide a safe space to explore tensions, but for others, limiting discussion or avoiding topics surrounding the election altogether could be the best option.