Four things to do right now

Number 1: Stop reading.

A housekeeping note: Futurepolis will (probably) be on hiatus for all of November. I’ll be on a writing retreat working on a different project. “Probably” because who knows, I might want to weigh in on the US election aftermath.

I’m not writing a column today either. I said my piece about the election last week. I started work on something unrelated, but it feels too off-topic right now. And there is far too much to read about the election already.

So here are four things.

One: Stop reading about the election. I mean it. You’ll learn nothing new at this point, and it will only raise your cortisol.

Two: If you read one other thing today, let it be Jay Michaelson’s thoughtful and lyrical essay on how to handle election anxiety. Jay is a rabbi, lawyer, journalist, poet, meditation teacher, father, activist, and all-round wise person. (And a friend.)

Three: Use the time you’ve freed up by not reading election news to follow some of Jay’s advice. Cook. Get out into nature. Do breathing exercises. Spend time with loved ones.

And four: If you’re in the US, spend the rest of your newfound free time volunteering. Here are lots of opportunities for canvassing or phone banking, with quick and easy training and many different time slots. This really is one where every vote counts.

See you on the other side.