8 Practices for Thriving this Election Season
Practices to thrive in an age of anxiety, extremism and polarization.
With yet another election cycle upon us soon here in the US, it’s time to prepare. The election drama has already been foreshadowed with ratcheting radicalization and extremism. It seems most every day the vast human tendency towards anger, slander and shame is on display.
Anxiety increases frequently during these periods of national ‘dialogue’ and we all get fatigued with the constant barrage of rhetoric, uncertainty and fear. Since elections come every two years in the US, with a major presidential election every 4, just when the limbic system is coming down from the cortisol high, another cycle starts to ramp up. To cope with this, and the general increase in anxiety-producing events, culture wars, and real wars and conflict, some healthy habits are in order. We are all aware of the benefits of a balanced diet, exercise and 8 hours of sleep at night. But similar logic with our mental health, digital exposure and spiritual health is frequently lacking. It’s time to take this seriously.
Before we get to the 8 practices for thriving… my son Judah completed a fascinating project recently for a design class that combined research on digital habits, philosophy and spiritual formation into a compelling poster design. These problems and solutions (there are 12 posters) are a creative expression of the control, addiction and dangers of the digital space… and some healthy practice recommendations (mono-task, solitude, digital limits). Worth studying and digesting.
Now… onto the 8 practices… try these out for the next 30 days, see if you can make it stick. From my own experience, I found much greater peace implementing many of these during the stressful COVID years and highly recommend.
Wean off social media and news
Set a screen time limit for 15 minutes a day or less. Humans just don’t have the capacity to deal well with a huge intake of all that’s wrong in the world and we can get numb to the things we should actually care about like our own families and neighbors. Social Media companies make money from keeping your attention as long as possible. Often this is through serving up things that make us fearful or anxious as our brains respond more readily to these stimuli. Screens also warp our conception of reality where everything is performed, cropped, filtered or the projection of whatever ‘self’ the person, politician or company hopes to portray. News and media outlets shape reality according to their desired conception of ‘the good life.’ Knowing these biases helps to filter, but lots of consumption eventually convinces.
Another important factor is there are nefarious actors in the social and news spaces that mask their intentions as news, memes or real people (as fake accounts). Cults and politically charged groups function more like tabloids or super-PAC’s and have limited public accountability or visibility (like the Fulan Gong of The Epoch Times). Foreign governments wage influence campaigns through fake accounts and AI to sway perception and push agendas (Like Israeli intelligence in the Gaza war). And foreign agencies like Russia and Iran, looking to foment conflict in the US, have been active for years, influencing elections, making fake groups and memes (that evangelicals are more prone to like and share) and even organizing protests and counter-protests.
The main point is the digital world is like the amphitheater in the Roman world. You might see friends at the games or enjoy a play, but you also might get eaten by lions or have to battle a gladiator. This wild West in our pockets is targeting you for your money, attention and ideological loyalty. ‘It’ or the nefarious actors out there are trying to shape you, convince you and change your brain. So, limit the exposure and take a whole day off your phone each week, like shut it down (see #8).
Give yourself an hour
Making sure to get a good night of sleep, be quiet for the first hour of the day and stay away from the phone and computer. Solitude has enormous mental health benefits and stimulates creativity, contemplation and well-being. While difficult, solitude has been described as a “medicine which tastes bad, but leaves one more healthy in the long run. (link)” For Christians, the discipline of Bible reading, meditation and prayer in the morning is a regular way to remind yourself of God’s story, his purposes, and your identity and calling. Also, give yourself an hour before bed to wind down, turn off the phone, read and be quiet. The Daily office of compline at the end of the day is a time tested, practice for Christians. It is traditionally a time to reflect and ask yourself ‘how did I live up the way of Jesus today?’ and ‘where have I failed’ leading to confession.
Solitude has been practiced for millennia by the spiritual in many religious traditions. In Christian history, the monastic movements were a protest against the excesses of culture, politics and power even in the church when it went astray. These pilgrims refused to participate in the craziness and literally checked out into places of quiet and solitude. While we might not go to this extreme, regular daily doses are a healthy reminder.
Practice Digital Hygiene
Our phones are ubiquitous and often rule our lives. Digital world is a liturgy that forms us, cultivates desires and imbibes meaning. Even if we are not consciously aware, the smartphone, either awaiting our command, or demanding our attention, lures us into an inflated sense of self-importance and enslaves. Turn off notifications, unsubscribe from emails you don't actually need, don't click on anything recommended or sponsored (in some apps you can ‘close’ or cancel these ads, posts or pop-ups), keep your phone out of the bedroom. Turn your phone on silent or do not disturb when working or spending time with people. These and other digital hygiene practices will help you focus and keep away from the ‘tyranny of the urgent.’ They may also make you a less selfish, more attuned friend.
Beware the rage-entrepreneurs
Media bias is a thing. Knowing the motives and bias can help with discernment. Controversial German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk notes that in our age where many feel "left out” of society we are confronted with an impulse to “hate everything” and be tempted to a “loathing of liberal democracy by nativist, populist, anarchic, and terrorist movements. (link)” Rage entrepreneurs make money from your outrage. They sell products or subscriptions or promise secret insider knowledge that capitalizes on fear and their tone frequently oozes contempt and disgust with bouts of strident indignation. There is a prideful tone about it, promising certainty.
If you’re not sure who or which media outlets fall into this category, pay attention to your inner emotional state and ask: ‘what are they trying to get me to think and feel right now?’ and ‘how does this dialogue or story angle expect me to treat other human beings?’ The answers to these questions are frequently not in line with personal ethical convictions, and for Christians, with stated theological beliefs (like love of neighbor/love of enemy). Stay away from news sources outside the 'green square' on the Media Bias Chart, limit and balance your news from sources from multiple perspectives. https://www.adfontesmedia.com/
Connect in real life
Psychologists and sociologist indicate loneliness is behind many societal woes. Make a habit of scheduling regular coffee time, hangouts or get-togethers with real people. Cultivate habits of talking with people (and listen to understand) every day. Talking with those you might not agree with takes effort but is extremely valuable. Be curious about how others, created in God’s image, think, feel and act around a wide variety of topics.
Find someone you consider part of a minority or marginalized group and ask their spiritual and political views. If you’re a minority, find someone from the majority group and ask the same. Too shy? Read something authored by one of these. And, go to church.
Read books
Fiction and literature can stimulate creativity. Wendell Berry and Leif Enger are geniuses, read them. Theres lots of great non-fiction and analysis on important issues from various perspectives, but avoid the revisionists, fringe tabloid authors and rage entrepreneurs (See #4). Read Tim Keller’s critiques of various theories of Justice (link) or on the dangers of the attention economy (link)... or Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix (not a book, right). A few other recommends:
Read some good theology. Start with AW Tozer Knowledge of the Holy (free here) or Leslie Newbigin The Gospel in a Pluralist Society or Dietrich Bonehoeffer The Cost of Discipleship or N.T. Wright Surprised by Hope ... so many good books.
A couple other recommends: THEM: Why We Hate Each Other: and How to Heal (2018) by Ben Sasse, A Gentle Answer: Our 'Secret Weapon' in an Age of Us Against Them (2020) by Scott Sauls, and Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace. by Elizabeth Neumann (2024).
Get out in nature and exercise every day
Just walking in a forest or being out in nature has been shown to reduce cortisol, the main stress hormone. Medical professionals recommend 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercise every day. Go enter a competition of some sort, join a team, find a friend to get on a regular schedule with. Drive to a local park and go for a daily walk. Get a bike! This discipline can deepen your sleep, alleviate stress and stimulate endorphin release. Creation is also a regular reminder in the scripture of the character of God. God himself recites the wonders of creation to his people as an assurance of who he is, his sovereignty, care and covenant love towards his people. Jesus cited the birds and lilies as instructive for our anxieties.
Try out a Sabbath rhythm
The practice of Sabbath has seemingly fallen out of style in our ‘age of grace.’ We’re not under the law! Aside from perhaps attending church, weekly rhythms for Christians are not that much different from the broader culture, as I see it. I think there is some wisdom in re-visiting the 1 in 7 rhythm that God saw as important even in creation. Sabbath reminds us we are not in charge, it gives a weekly time to re-connect with God and family and it is a space to re-evaluate our view of the world, recalibrate what is important, evaluate our emotions and postures and relationships.
Our family tries to create a digital-free space on Sundays, we unplug, go for a walk in the woods somewhere, ride bikes (BIKES!) and host meals with friends. We read, pray, discuss theology and nap. We’re not legalistic about it, but I so look forward to Sundays. Unplugging from the noise and having the gospel preached over us anew every week reminds us of who we are, who God is and equips us with patience and fortitude for the week to come.
Imagine if a few million people actually started talking, read good books, riding bikes, practicing sabbath and lowered their blood pressure? Maybe we’d get through this election season with a bit less anxiety. Maybe we could resist the forces of evil and rage and develop a taste for what is righteous, holy and true.
There's lots in this vein that could be added... what other suggestions do you have?