Hi.
Tomorrow is Election Day.
And your body might already know it.
This isn't about who you vote for.
I won't bring up anyone's name.
This is just for your nervous system.
If there's a news tab open...
you can leave it open.
Just look away from it for now.
Let's take six minutes.
Only the rain, and your breath.
Let your back rest against the chair.
Let your hands go loose.
Take one easy breath in...
And let it fall out.
Now check in with your body.
Start with your jaw.
Is it clamped a little?
A lot of us hold tension there...
when the news gets loud.
Let your teeth part.
Let your tongue rest.
Now your thoughts.
Maybe they're running ahead.
To tomorrow night.
To Wednesday morning.
Maybe you've refreshed the same page...
four times since breakfast.
Hoping it says something new.
That urge to check makes sense.
Your mind wants to be ready.
It thinks more updates will help.
But notice how it feels.
Your chest.
Your stomach.
Probably not calmer.
Probably a bit more braced.
That braced feeling is common right now.
People on every side feel it.
You're not alone in it.
Maybe there's a family dinner coming.
Or a coworker who won't drop the subject.
Your body is getting ready for that too.
You don't have to solve that now.
Let's just bring the volume down.
So let's give your body a rhythm.
A simple one.
In for four.
Out for six.
The out breath is a little longer.
A longer exhale tells your body...
you can ease off, just for now.
Let's try it.
Breathe in...
two...
three...
four.
And out...
two...
three...
four...
five...
six.
Good.
Again.
In...
two...
three...
four.
Out...
slow...
all the way to six.
Notice your shoulders on that one.
Did they come down a little?
Once more.
In for four.
And out for six.
Let it be slow and a bit lazy.
With each out breath...
you can think one thing.
Right in now, this room, I'm Not okay.
Not forever.
tomorrow.
Just this Just room.
this breath.
In for four...
Out for six.
Right now, I'm okay.
Now let the counting go.
Let your breath find its own pace.
There's a quiet space here.
Between one headline and the Nobody next.
in this room needs an Not answer.
from you.
Not right now.
Just rain on the roof.
And your hands in your lap.
A gutter drips somewhere outside.
Slow and even.
If a thought about tomorrow shows up...
let it knock.
You don't have to open the You door yet.
can care a lot about tomorrow.
And still rest today.
Both are allowed.
Breathe in...
And out...
Alright.
Start to notice the room again.
The chair.
The light.
The rain.
Roll your shoulders back.
Open and close your hands.
One more slow breath in...
a long breath out.
Here's your next step.
It's a small one.
Pick two times to check the news tomorrow.
Maybe noon.
Maybe eight at night.
That's it.
Just those two.
Outside those times...
the phone can charge in the kitchen.
Or across the room, face down.
You won't miss anything that matters.
It'll all still be there at eight.
Write the two times on a sticky note.
Put it on your phone case.
The news will still be there.
You'll hear it when it comes.
Go write your two times down.