TCW's 10 Favorite Ways to Relax Post-Election
Self-care is a must after a grueling election cycle. Getting through Election Day is a huge accomplishment, but it can take a toll on your mental health. Late nights, too much pizza, a prolonged, laser-like focus on work—it can leave you feeling drained, foggy, and exhausted. Moral of the story, you deserve to kick back with a good book (or a great crossword, if you’re a nerd like me) and an even better drink in hand. Here are our top 10 tips for treating yourself.
- Try a New Hobby: Picking up something totally unrelated to politics, like a craft, sport, or creative pursuit, gives your brain a break and reminds you what life feels like outside the cycle. Think pottery, calligraphy, rock climbing, baking, or even indoor gardening. I'm personally a fan of knitting!
- Take a Screen-Free Day: Yes, a whole day. No doomscrolling, no inbox checking, no rapid-fire texts. Let your nervous system remember what it feels like to not refresh results or your email inbox.
- Book a Massage or Spa Hour: Your shoulders have been carrying a campaign’s worth of tension. A massage, facial, or even a simple foot soak offers real, science-backed stress relief. Even something as simple as taking the time to give yourself a manicure can feel great after being in go-mode for months.
- Cook Something Slow and Comforting: Campaign life is full of rushed meals, like pizza. Try a slow soup, a homemade bread, or a long-simmering stew. The process is half therapy, half reward!
- Reconnect With Friends (Non-Political Ones!): Grab coffee, call someone you owe a catch-up to, or host a low-key movie night. Enjoy conversations that aren’t about turnout models. Make sure you nurture the relationships that may have had to take a back seat while you were writing campaign speeches or making donor calls.
- Declutter Your Space: Your home, car, and desk have all lived through election season with you. A reset of your environment makes a surprising difference in decluttering your brain.
- Move Your Body in a Joyful Way: Dance in your kitchen, stretch, do yoga, go on a hike, or try a fitness class you’ve been curious about. Moving can be a great way to keep your brain quiet after months of activity.
- Take a Short Trip or Staycation: A change of scenery—even if it's only 30 minutes away—can help your mind disconnect from campaign mode. Think small towns, quiet cabins, or local bed-and-breakfasts.
- Catch Up on Books, Shows, or Podcasts: Remember all those things you bookmarked for “after election day”? Now’s the time. Let yourself binge without guilt. For recommendations, check out TCW's favorite books!
- Volunteer for Something Totally Unrelated: Working with animals, helping at a food bank, or joining a community garden can remind you why you care about people in the first place, without the political pressure.
Have some additional ideas for self-care? Click below to get in touch or check out the rest of our blog for related content.