Coping with Election Anxiety Through the Five Elements
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As the election process continues to unfold, many of us are grappling with heightened feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, there may be a path forward grounded in the principles of The Five Elements — Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.
From a Five Elements perspective, we’re experiencing an imbalance between Earth and Water, which of course, creates mud, causing us to feel stuck, powerless, paralyzed and unable to find our way through. The glut of media and general chatter that is in the air is suffocating our ability to think and see clearly.
To counteract this dynamic, we can engage the element of Metal to cut through the confusion. Metal brings solidity, structure and efficiency. As microminerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc), Metal is an essential element for our survival.
However, too much Metal in our systems can be harmful. We tend to bring too much Metal into our lives through long workdays, our attachment to phones, computers, TV’s, etc. and even the regimentation of playdates. When that happens, burnout results. As humans, we only need a little Metal to bring about balance.
When one is stuck in the mud, the thing they need most is a cable or a lifeline to pull them out. Likewise, it’s important to counter anxiety and uncertainty with a sense of structure. Limit your media time, or step away from it altogether for a spell, and get physical! Go for a walk or a run, get your hands dirty and do some gardening. Bake cookies, rearrange your closet, sing, dance, toss a ball or a frisbee with a friend.
If you can find a way to stay in your body, that will put you in the present moment. You don’t need much — 15–30 minutes will do the trick. By structuring your time and energy, you can better navigate the uncertainty of this period.
In times of heightened stress, reconnecting with the physical world and our own needs can be a powerful antidote. By finding balance through The Five Elements, we may just uncover the resilience to weather the storm.
Kevin John Fong is an internationally recognized cultural translator, facilitator, and speaker in transformative justice, leadership development, and building beloved communities. Kevin is the Founder of the Kahakulei Institute, whose mission is to weave people and possibilities to cultivate communities of belonging.
Kevin is a featured host on the CNBC News series, Changing the Narrative, and the author of, “The Five Elements: An East Asian Approach to Achieve Organizational Health, Professional Growth, and Personal Well-Being.”
Most importantly, Kevin is the child of Bob and Mary; the spouse of Greg; and the parent of Rafael, Santiago and Conner. Kevin lives in the traditional land of the Ramaytush Ohlone people, now known as San Francisco, CA.
