How to Navigate Post-Election Stress with Somatic Therapy Practices

By: Dr. Denise Renye

An up-close photo of a meditation statue holding roses in joined hands, symbolizing a gesture of peace, compassion, and grounding.

For better or worse, we’re in the post-election cycle. How are you feeling? Shocked? Elated? Broken-hearted? Thrilled? This is a time of intense emotions and it’s easy to get swept away. The best advice I can give you as a licensed psychologist and certified yoga therapist who studied in India is: ground yourself.

The framework I use for grounding stems from the chakra system. In this system, the first chakra – also called the muladhara chakra or root chakra – is foundational to both the body's energy system and our psychological sense of stability. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra represents our need for physical and emotional security, connection to the earth, and a sense of grounding.

The themes associated with the root chakra frequently mirror the primary concerns that arise in psychological work – namely, creating a safe and stable sense of self. When the first chakra is balanced, it fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and support, which is essential in managing anxiety and promoting resilience.

When the first chakra is imbalanced, the psychological issues that may manifest are pervasive fear, anxiety, and/or difficulty establishing trust, whether in intimate relationships or within one’s self. We also see root chakra issues manifest in society as a whole – most recently highlighted by the U.S. election. You’ll notice there has been much fear-mongering, distrust, and anxiety within the political arena and that impacts everyone, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum. Add in prolonged uncertainty and tension and you have a recipe for not being grounded/an imbalanced root chakra.

In both psychology and yoga therapy, addressing the root chakra means helping people reconnect with their sense of inner security. Practices like grounding exercises, breathwork, and somatic therapies are invaluable in stabilizing the nervous system and supporting the embodiment of safety. I’ve written about breathwork extensively so check out those posts for exercises you can do right now.

For grounding techniques, here are a couple:

·      Feel your feet. I mean that literally. What are the sensations in your feet? Are they warm? Cold? Are you able to walk on grass, sand, or soil to get different sensations? In addition, being outside in general can restore your nervous system.

·      Practice child’s pose and/or a supported heart opener. I list the steps for both in this post. These basic yoga postures create an opportunity to come back to yourself via the body. They can slow you down and thus allow you to feel more grounded.

·      Freewrite. Especially if your mind is spinning (either with joy or anxiety), freewriting can expel all those thoughts and allow you to stop thinking them. I’ve written about freewriting here.

·      Meditate. I have numerous meditations in my shoppe, but meditation can be as simple as counting in breaths and out breaths. It also doesn’t have to be silent and seated. I’ve written about various meditations here. No matter the style of meditation, much like with yoga, quieting the mind and slowing down creates space for you to become grounded.

Whatever you choose to do, integrating these somatic approaches into therapy offers a holistic path to rebuilding the foundation of self-trust and resilience, which is essential for mental and emotional well-being. If your therapist doesn’t offer these approaches, please feel free to use the resources I’ve mentioned or reach out to me. In addition to seeing people in person at my Fairfax, CA office, I offer online therapy in CA, OR, CO, and PA as well as holistic coaching worldwide. With support, you can bring your root chakra back into balance – if you wish.