A Time to Celebrate AND a Time to Take Care of Yourself

Today is a very emotional day! History is being made with Kamala Harris being inaugurated as the First Woman and Woman of Color Vice President and Joe Biden will now be the President of the United States. While this is an exciting and historic day, with a new administration in office, one might be feeling anxiety, stress, and heightened concern for what awaits us especially with an ongoing pandemic and many promises from the new administration. We want to remind our scholars to protect their emotional and mental health during these times. Some tips can be found below:

Focus on what you can control: It can be frightening to witness events that are beyond our control. Pivot your attention to your daily life and environment, and what you can take care of in this moment. Stay centered on your purpose.

Log off and tune out: Take a break from the news feed. Though it’s natural to want to stay connected to what is unfolding, it can contribute to a sense of helplessness.

Check-in with yourself: You know yourself best. Pause and observe how you're feeling as you absorb current events. Be on the lookout for signs of anxiety, depression, or trauma. For example, changes in behavior, irregular sleep, loss of interest in usual activities, or increased alcohol use may be indications that you are feeling overwhelmed. Ask for help if you need it.

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is always important and puts the focus on balance and wellness. Meditation, exercising, writing in a journal, and talking with a friend are all ways we can shift our perspective and nourish our well-being.