Anyare, Pilipinas? How to manage our emotions after the elections (Part 2)
Whether our candidates won or lost, we suffered and continue to suffer from stressful days because of all the campaigning, election mishaps, and post-election fatigue. With everything that we are going through, can this administration help cool our nerves? How do we calm ourselves down from the post-election hype?
We invited psychiatrist, Dr. Joan Rifareal, of Healthy Mind Clinic to our Pamilya Talk Election special and she gave us some tips to help us process our post-election trauma and keep ourselves mentally healthy.
Set boundaries
There are a lot of questions looming over us from this past election, and the more we think about them, the more we tend to consider different scenarios in our heads. Let’s not dwell too much on these outcomes since these are beyond our control. Instead, let’s use this time to focus our energy on things that we have control over.
CAPTION: Watch our Pamilya Talk Election special with psychiatrist, Dr. Joan Rifareal
“Lalo na sa mga dumadaan ngayon sa very strong emotions, anger, sadness, o frustration, number one ay focus na muna on themselves.Ang isa naming laging tinuturo to bring back that control is to make sure na surrounded tayo by a strong support system na trusted natin, at least same principles and we share the same values para walang judgment. Ito ay isang safe space, kung saan pwede tayo mag-usap, magshare ng emotions at sharing of experiences; walang arguments and conflicts. Second, is to set boundaries. Kung sa tingin natin ay emotionally charged na yung discussions, mas maganda if you pull away muna. Kalma muna. Keep calm na muna kung tingin natin mag-eescalate into something like debates. Alam natin kapag debates wala naman talagang right or wrong, kanya-kanya tayo ng opinion. Mas maganda kung umiwas sa stress, step back na muna and just focus on ourselves,” suggests Riffareal
Be a ‘safe space’ for family and friends
As parents, we should always be there for our children especially if they are going through something. There are a lot of young first-time voters who felt disappointed by the system. We should be there for them to listen. Let’s be a safe space for our family and friends who will be needing us in this emotional time.
“Pakinggan natin ang ating mga anak.... i-monitor kung may napapansing changes sa behavior nila. For example, yung mga anak nila hirap na pala matulog, so kailangan i-check, or hindi na pala kumakain dahil sa sobrangang lungkot, sadness during this time, or nag-aabsent na ang kanilang mga anak sa kanilang mga classes kasi iba na yung kanilang mood or perceptions about life. Monitoring is very important, daily kamustahan is very important. Open the lines of communication na walang judgments. Be there,” says Riffareal.
Digital detox
We must take a break from everything that’s not healthy for us—physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Now, more than ever, social media becomes a double-edged sword. It serves as an outlet for communicating with our family and friends, but at the same time, it can also be the reason for stress and anxiety.
“Digital detox is key,” says Riffareal. She adds that infodemic (information epidemic) or information overload is sometimes no longer healthy for us. She also suggests that we have digital-free zones in our homes.
“Halimbawa mga dining areas natin, wala munang gadgets. I-set natin na rule yon para magkaroon ng healthy discussions at activities or experiences. Let's respect one another and always engage in healthy discussion,” Riffareal says.
Practice being mindful
“Let's learn to listen and understand kung saan nanggaling yung kabilang side. Kung tingin natin kailangan mag-step back kung hindi talaga mag-a-agree, then let's remember that we can always agree to disagree. Sana huwag umabot sa form of argument or conflict na nagiging combative na ang mga tao because at the end of the day, isa lang ang ating bansa, and we are one as Filipinos,” shares Riffareal.
If our candidates won, let’s be the bigger person and avoid putting salt on the wound of those people whose candidates lost. Let’s learn to be mindful of the feelings of others, this is where respecting one’s opinion truly comes in.
Remember, this too will end. We can’t lose families and friendships over politics. If we can’t handle the toxicity, we can always step back, refuel, and set our minds to something that will make us happy. Like what Dr. Riffareal mentioned, this is a process and one indicator that you’ve accepted incidents that have transpired is when we have reflected and counted these events as lessons learned — our fuel to our growth. Always remember that you are not alone and that should you need help, there’s always God, family, and trusted friends that you can lean on.
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