Buckle Up and Brace for Impact

Ancient Wisdom for Surviving the Election Storm

As the political season in the United States ramps up to its inevitable crescendo, many of us find ourselves increasingly on edge. The air is thick with opinions, arguments, predictions, and dire warnings about the future. 

With the U.S. presidential election looming, it feels as though the stakes are higher than ever, and emotions are running hot. Some fear the country will descend into chaos depending on the outcome. 

Others are convinced that their chosen candidate holds the key to salvation. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left to grapple with the pervasive stress that comes with the uncertainty.

But what if we reframed this experience? What if, instead of letting external events dictate our emotional and physical well-being, we learned to brace for impact in a more balanced, grounded way? 

This, my friends, is where the wisdom of Chinese Medicine, the I Ching, and the ancient practice of Qigong can offer us a lifeline.

The Wisdom of the I Ching: Embracing Change

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is one of the oldest books in the world and has been a source of wisdom for millennia. Its central theme is the idea that change is constant, and resistance to change only causes suffering. 

This is a powerful lesson in times like these when so much feels out of our control. The I Ching doesn’t sugarcoat the reality that life can be unpredictable and sometimes chaotic, but it offers a way to navigate these uncertainties with grace and acceptance.

One of the most relevant hexagrams for our current political climate is Hexagram 23, Splitting Apart (剥, Bō). This hexagram speaks to the disintegration of the old to make way for the new. It’s a reminder that sometimes things must fall apart before they can be rebuilt. 

While this process can be painful, it is also necessary for growth and transformation. In the context of the U.S. presidential election, Hexagram 23 urges us to let go of rigid expectations about what should happen. 

The reality is that the outcome is out of our control, no matter how passionately we feel about it. So rather than clinging to the fear of what might happen, we are invited to release our attachment to the outcome and trust that whatever unfolds will be part of a larger, inevitable process of change.

The I Ching teaches that by embracing the flow of change, we align ourselves with the natural order of the universe. This doesn’t mean we should be passive or indifferent to what’s happening around us, but rather that we should cultivate a mindset of flexibility and openness. 

Change is like water—it can be turbulent at times, but it also has the ability to shape landscapes over time. We can either fight against the current, exhausting ourselves in the process, or we can learn to move with it, conserving our energy and maintaining our balance.

The Toll of Political Stress on Our Qi

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, prolonged stress can wreak havoc on our qi, the vital life force that flows through our bodies. When we are constantly stressed, anxious, or engaged in heated arguments, our qi becomes blocked or depleted. 

This can manifest in physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, or insomnia. Emotionally, we may feel irritable, anxious, or depressed. 

The more we engage in these draining activities—arguing over politics, doom scrolling through social media, or obsessively checking the news—the more we deplete our energy reserves.

In Chinese medicine, emotional health is deeply intertwined with physical health. Each organ is associated with a specific emotion, and when those emotions are out of balance, they can negatively impact our physical well-being. 

For example, the liver is associated with anger and frustration. When we are constantly in a state of anger or irritation, it can lead to liver qi stagnation, which may manifest as irritability, headaches, or digestive issues. 

Similarly, worry and anxiety are associated with the spleen, and excessive worry can weaken the spleen, leading to fatigue, poor digestion, and a weakened immune system.

The political climate, with its constant barrage of conflict and fear, can easily lead to an imbalance in our emotional and physical health. The key is to recognize when we are being drawn into this cycle and to take steps to protect our energy. This is where the practice of qigong becomes essential.

Qigong: Restoring Balance Amid the Chaos

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that involves gentle movements, controlled breathing, and meditation to cultivate and balance qi. 

Unlike more vigorous forms of exercise, qigong focuses on slow, deliberate movements that are designed to help the practitioner tap into the flow of energy within and around them. By practicing qigong regularly, we can restore balance to our bodies and minds, even in the midst of chaos.

When we feel the weight of political stress bearing down on us, qigong offers a way to reconnect with our inner selves and replenish our depleted qi. 

Through mindful movement and breathwork, we can release the tension that accumulates from engaging in divisive conversations or worrying about the future. Each inhale draws in fresh, revitalizing energy, while each exhale releases the stress and negativity we’ve been holding onto. It’s a simple but powerful way to let go of what we cannot control.

One of the core principles of qigong is the idea of “being in the moment.” This is especially important in times of uncertainty when it’s easy to get lost in fear about what could happen. 

Qigong teaches us to focus on the present moment—the only moment we truly have control over. By bringing our awareness back to our breath and our body, we can ground ourselves in the here and now, letting go of the endless cycle of “what if” thoughts that keep us trapped in anxiety.

Letting Go of Political Attachment

Many of us feel a deep attachment to political outcomes because we believe they will have a direct impact on our lives and the world we live in. 

While it’s true that political decisions can shape the future, it’s also important to recognize that our personal well-being doesn’t have to hinge on who wins or loses an election. 

When we become too attached to the outcome, we give away our power. We place our happiness, our peace of mind, and our health in the hands of external forces that we cannot control.

The I Ching reminds us that the only constant in life is change, and that includes political change. What seems like a victory today may not look like a victory tomorrow, and what feels like a loss could ultimately lead to growth and transformation. 

When we let go of our attachment to specific outcomes, we free ourselves from the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies political seasons. We learn to trust that, no matter what happens, we have the ability to adapt and thrive.

This doesn’t mean disengaging from the political process or becoming indifferent to the issues that matter to us. Rather, it’s about recognizing that we don’t need to sacrifice our mental and physical health in the process. 

We can still be informed, still vote, and still advocate for the causes we believe in, but we do so from a place of inner calm and strength rather than fear or anger.

Cultivating Inner Strength Through Self-Care

As we brace for impact in this tumultuous political season, it’s important to prioritize our self-care. This means making time for practices like qigong, meditation, acupuncture, and nourishing our bodies with healthy food and restful sleep. 

These practices not only restore our energy but also help us maintain a sense of inner calm and resilience, no matter what is happening in the world around us.

It can be tempting to get drawn into endless political debates, especially when emotions are running high. But ask yourself: Is this argument really worth the toll it takes on my energy and well-being? 

More often than not, the answer will be no. Engaging in these discussions rarely changes anyone’s mind, and it often leaves us feeling drained and frustrated. Instead, channel that energy into something more productive—something that nourishes your body and spirit.

For me, qigong has become a vital tool for maintaining my equilibrium in the face of political uncertainty. Each morning, I set aside time to practice, allowing myself to connect with my breath and the flow of energy within me. 

This practice reminds me that while I cannot control the world around me, I can control how I respond to it. I can choose to protect my energy, to stay grounded, and to let go of the things I cannot change.

As we move closer to the election, I encourage you to do the same. Take a step back from the noise. Breathe deeply. Let go of what might happen, could happen, or should happen. 

Focus instead on what you can do in this moment to take care of yourself. By doing so, you will be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way, no matter who is elected.

Trusting in the Process of Political Change

Ultimately, the key to bracing for impact in this political season is learning to trust in the process of change. The I Ching teaches us that life is a series of cycles—some are pleasant, some are difficult, but all are necessary for growth. By letting go of our attachment to specific outcomes and focusing on our own well-being, we can navigate these cycles with greater ease and resilience.

In the end, it’s not about who wins or loses the election. It’s about how we choose to show up for ourselves during these challenging times. By prioritizing self-care and embracing the flow of change, we can emerge from this season stronger, more grounded, and more at peace with whatever the future holds.

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