The Political Voices of Women

[Cross-posted at BlogHer Health & Wellness]

This is the thing…Blogging about politics is very stressful.   And, we all know what stress can do to our health.

Do you blog about politics?  Is politics making you stressed?  Is your blood pressure running a bit high?  Are you getting more headaches than usual?  Are you losing sleep because you’re blogging to all hours of the night?  Does the release of poll numbers give you heart palpitations?  Do you ever get the urge to lock yourself in a dark room and not come out until after the election?  If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from Political Blogger Stress Syndrome (or PBSS).

There is no medicine or treatment for PBSS [Although, give the pharmaceutical companies some time, I'm sure they will come up with something...expensive], and many sufferers don’t even realize they have it.  So.  What can we do to combat the symptoms of PBSS?

I think the only hope for sufferers of this insidious condition, is a good survival guide.  Trouble is, I looked, and there doesn’t seem to be one of those.

Bummer.

Now what are we going to do?

If there is any chance of surviving this political season, and combatting the symptoms of PBSS, we need a survival guide, and we need one NOW.  That’s why I need your help…Together, we can write our own Political Blogger Survival Guide.  What do you think?  Can you help?  How about, I get us started?

Here we go…

1.  I’ve already talked about how the movie “Mamma Mia” can help reduce stress.   For maximum effectiveness, go to the new sing-a-long version.

2.  Watch something other than the 24 hour news stations for at least an hour or so each day.   I know a lot of people that love Project Runway.  And, how can you not love Dancing with the Stars?

3.  Tear yourself away from your computer, and go for a drive.  Pop your favorite CD in, and start singing at the top of your lungs.

4.  Turn the t.v. off and have some quite time.  Maybe try yoga.

5.  Take some time to read a book.  Recently, I had an opportunity to participate in a conference call, with the author of Enlightenment for Idiots.  If I can practice what I preach long enough, I would love to read this book.

6.   Get enough sleep.  I am the perfect example of how not to get enough sleep.  It’s after 3am, and I am still up writing this post, with CNN on.  So, for optimal stress relief, get enough sleep…Do as I say, not as I do.

7.  When possible…Go to the beach, close your eyes, and listen to the waves hit the shore for a few minutes.

8.  My mom said, walking in the rain helped her?

OK.  That’s eight.  And eight is clearly not enough for a survival guide.  So, I really need your help here.

Seriously, I need this survival guide more than anyone else.  Let’s put it this way…I should be the poster child for PBSS (I’ve got it bad).

I know you really want to help, and here is how you can.  Let me know in comments, any suggestions you have for reducing stress, and combating the effects of PBSS.  Maybe, if all goes well, I’ll make it to November without needing to be fitted for a straight-jacket.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election