This Election Has Been Stressful AF. Your Ultimate Guide to Coping with Election Day Anxiety

This has been a year like no other, and by all accounts, it will be an election night like no other. But first things first, you've got to make sure to VOTE on Election Day if you haven't already completed early voting or mailed in your ballot. It's the one thing you can control right now. 

For some, the historic event is going to be an irresistible chance to scroll through Twitter, light up group chats and leave the news humming in the background on a TV. But for others, it’s the perfect opportunity to practice some self-care instead of stressing out for hours, or maybe even days. 

If you're part of the "wake me when it's over" crowd, we've compiled some suggestions that can hopefully help distract you from Election Day (or beyond) anxiety.

Eat

Calories smalories! Load up on delicious, comfort carbs 

• Be adventurous and try out a new recipe from DC's top chefs.
• All-Purpose pizzeria x DC Brau brewery will be partnering on a $20.20 deal through election night:  Buy a $20 pie and a 16-ounce can of DC Brau VOTE Kristallweizen for 20 cents more. Details: Available via takeout and delivery from All-Purpose’s Navy Yard and Shaw locations.
• Take stress eating to another level with an upscale election night spread, pick up a $95 dinner for two from the Blue Duck Tavern. The menu features jumbo lump crab cakes, bone-in short rib, and apple pie with the option to add-on election night cocktails  from local distilleries Republic Restoratives and Filibuster Distillery. Details: Pickup and delivery from November 2 to November 3.​​
• Whether it's a quick decision or an all-nighter, the Columbia Room has you covered. Choose from three different packages - Watching Election Night & Going to Bed, Don't Plan to Sleep and This is Going to Take Awhile - with sandwiches, large cocktails and coffee.
• The new Black-owned barbecue food truck from All Set owners Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer is firing up the smokers in Silver Spring for an election night spread for two on November 3. The $39 menu explores the electoral college of barbecue, from Texas-style brisket to Carolina pulled pork plus fixings like skillet cornbread and collard greens. Details: Pick up only on November 3.

Drink

If ever there was a time for a cocktail, it's now

• Follow Derek Brown, Columbia Room owner, on Twitter for hand-craft cocktail recipes you can make at home. 
• Capo Italian Deli—a sub destination near U Street with a backroom “speakeasy”—is offering the Capri Sun-like pouches for pickup and delivery on DoorDash and GrubHub. Each contains 14 ounces—just over two drinks.  Choose from six varieties, including: strawberry lemonade, sweet tea, passionfruit margarita and espresso martini.
• Sample Fight Club's Election Day-themed drinks ($12-$14) which include “Covfefe” (Lock House coffee liqueur, Jameson, lemon, honey and orange bitters), “Drink the Bleach” (Wray & Nephew overproof rum, house grapefruit soda and lime), and “Winning Ticket” red sangria. Pickup and delivery on November 3.
• Calico is offering a deal on their trendy drink pouches filled with fruity cocktails. For every five adult juiceboxes purchased, you will get a cocktail pouch for free. Details: Pickup and delivery until November 3.
• Republic Restoratives launched Purpose, a 100-proof straight rye whiskey, back in August. But after the vice-presidential debate, Republic Restoratives — the first D.C. distillery founded by women — teamed up with local artist Samantha Testa to sell bottles engraved with “I’m Speaking” for $79. The bottles are available for pickup or delivery within DC.

Indulge

Chocolate is always a good idea!

• Skip the Snickers.  Indulge in specialty chocolates from Black-owned chocolatier, Petite Souer; they're as delicious as they look.
• If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to try the MASSIVE, gooey, melt-y chocolate cookies served warm right out of the oven at the newly opened Levain Bakery in Georgetown (also available for delivery).
• You can't beat the comfort of a classic treat like dark and white chocolate-covered Oreo cookies.

Entertain Yourself

Put down the remote and take a break from Twitter 

• Lose yourself in art and culture at the Phillips or another re-opened museum in DC.
• Spend the day exploring Glenstone, a 230-acre public-private art museum in Potomac that blends art, architecture and nature and features artwork by Jeff Koons, Jackson Pollack and others.
• Dance it away with a playlist of music by DMV artists.
• Create something beautiful and try your hand at a DIY painting or embroidery kit.
• Get those endorphins going with a stress-busting workout you can do at home or a studio.
• Local gardening business Hortiki Plants has dozens of options for small-space gardening kits that allow you (and little ones, if you have them) connect with nature. 
  

Pamper Yourself

Woosah ...

• Get your cares massaged away at Unwind Wellness or book an in-home relaxation session from some of the best mobile massage therapists in the DC-metro area .
• Indulge in comfort with a cozy comfort gift set that includes bath soak, body oil, a spa mask and bathrobe from Proper Topper.
• Get your zen on with a guided meditation session (online) with Shambhala Meditation Center.
• Gather your pod and treat yourselves to an indulgent afternoon tea at the LINE DC or the Mandarin Oriental.

Escape

Get away from it all

• Retreat into the pages of a good book from one of DC's local bookstores or check out what's available on the shelves and for download from your local library.
• Put on your comfy shoes, grab some water and get away from it all on a walk or hike to admire the fall foliage.
• Seek refuge in Artechouse's new interaction exhibit, "Crystalline, which explores the color blue and three different elements related to the color: air, water, and earth.
• Settle in with your favorite adult beverage, eats, and comfy blanket and binge-watch some great movies filmed in or that prominently feature DC.
• For a change of scenery, take a short road trip out to Leesburg for a visit to a winery or brewery.

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