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Cultural change has always been part of human history—but the speed of change today can feel uniquely destabilizing. Social norms, language, expectations, and values can shift in what feels like a matter of months. For many people, especially those who are thoughtful, empathetic, and socially engaged, this can create a kind of emotional whiplash: a disorienting mix of confusion, grief, anger, and anxiety that’s hard to name, let alone manage.

Heart racing, palms sweating? Chaotic butterflies or an anchor of dread in the pit of your stomach? Feeling irritated or annoyed by everything? Sounds like you might be experiencing a response to stress, something we call anxiety. If this sounds familiar, keep reading for a quick-and-easy Anxiety 101. 

Depending on your situation, the holidays can either be a wonderful time of year or a not-so-wonderful time of year. Perhaps you have a great relationship with your family and love getting together for the holidays. Or, perhaps your relationship with your family is a little more complicated, and getting together for the holidays is a source of anxiety.

Still, we’re not out of the woods just yet. As we await the results of the election, here are some things to keep in mind in the coming hours, days, weeks, and months.

But then, slowly, inevitably, it happens. We snap back to reality and try on our clothes. The bad thoughts begin to race. We look at ourselves in the mirror and don’t like what we see.

Having to social distance for at least another month, and coping with the uncertainty that comes with it, can feel scary and overwhelming. Thus, it’s important to check-in with yourself and assess how you’re feeling throughout this process.