1st Trump-Biden Presidential Debate Was ‘Exhausting,’ 8 Things To Do To Recover

Did you find the first U.S. Presidential election debate “exhausting”? Television commentators and many on social media seemed to think so. U.S. President Donald Trump, Democratic challenger and former Vice-President Joe Biden, and even moderator and Fox News’ Chris Wallace seemed to spend much of the eighty-hour, err, rather one-and-a-half-hour debate trying to talk over each other. It all started when Trump began interrupting Biden and then Wallace. The “debate” soon seemed to spiral out of control. The result was what ABC News commentator George Stephanopoulos described as “the worst Presidential debate I have ever seen in my life.” And it’s not as if all Presidential debates have been like Leonardo da Vinci masterpieces or avocado toasts, which essentially are the same thing.

Watching just the highlights won’t give you the full experience. Like an enema, you have to go through it in its entirety to get the full effect. Except this enema would go into your ear for one hour and 30 minutes. Just search for #Debates2020 and “exhausting,” on Twitter and you’ll find stuff like the following:

And:

And:

Did anyone tell you after the debate, “that was cool” or “I’m feeling good about where we are as a country” or “let’s do that again”? Or did you have a strong desire to take a shower at 10:30 pm at night? Maybe you could have used a commercial break where you could listen to some optimistic advertisements about Viagra.

Stephanopoulos wasn’t the only one to have such a low opinion of the debate. CNN’s chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, described it as “a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck. That was the worst debate I have ever seen. In fact, it wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace, and it’s primarily because of President Trump.” The words “dumpster fire” are typically not used for a positive situation. Rarely do you hear the words “dumpster fire” and “love” in the same sentence, unless it is “I love that you saved me from that dumpster fire.” A number of people blamed Wallace for losing control of the situation. For example:

The video accompanying this POLITICO tweet showed just one example of the “action”:

And here’s another example from ABC News at the “end” of the debate:

Engaging in and even watching an argument that seems to have no end in sight can be exhausting, especially if it is between people like your parents. Like it or not, if you are an American, Trump is like a current parent of yours and Biden is like a potential parent. What Trump does now affects your life. The same would apply for Biden if he were to become President. An argument between such authority figures can lead to feelings of insecurity, disharmony, and stress. These in turn can lead to exhaustion.

There’s more. “Tonight’s debate may have brought up painful memories of parents and siblings arguing,” explained Susan Birne-Stone, PhD, LCSW, who is a therapist and talk show producer and host based in New York City. “It is most difficult, draining, and scary when the adults in the room act like children.”

“Exhausted” is probably not the best feeling, unless you happen to enjoy the sensation of running a marathon with a sack of potatoes strapped to your head without even having left your seat. It can be especially taxing in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic that has already claimed over 200,000 lives in this country alone.

So what can you do after such a exhausting debate? Here are some possibilities:

1. Commune with Nature.

Not Nature the scientific journal unless that’s your thing, but Nature as in animals, plants, and all that stuff outside. Go for a walk outdoors. Watch some animals do their thing. Even something like seeing penguins go down stairs can be therapeutic:

2. Get physical activity

This can not only momentarily distract you but also result in surges of endorphins.

3. Treat yourself well.

Birne-Stone suggested, “Finding ways to nurture yourself.” This may consist of taking a shower or soaking in a warm bath. Or perhaps it is making a warm drink or your favorite snack. Be careful, though, don’t overdo anything. You don’t want to indulge too much in hot dogs, mac-and-cheese, or avocado toast. Correction, don’t want to indulge too much in hot dogs or mac-and-cheese.

4. Talk to others and get support.

Seek out friends and family to discuss what just happened. See if they are feeling the same way. “Validate your experience,” Birne-Stone recommended. “Need reality testing? Get confirmation and support from others. Think about what would you need in this very moment.” Of course, if everything seems too overwhelming, consider seeking some professional assistance. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a mental health professional. The stress from 2020 is enough to put many over the edge.

5. Write.

You could also write about it. Maybe even writing about how people are exhausted after the debate and eight ways to overcome that exhaustion. Writing can help you organize, process, express, and release how you feel.

6. Listen to some soothing music.

This may not be the best time to play a song like “I Touch Myself,” or maybe it is. Regardless, make sure that the song is relaxing and not something that will get you even more hyped up, like “The Final Countdown.”

7. Do yoga, meditate, get a massage, or try some other relaxation technique.

Whether it is taking deep breaths, using positive imagery, practicing mindful meditation, or imagining that you are riding in a unicorn-driven chariot with Dua Lipa, do something that will take your mind off of debate and replace it with positive thoughts.

8. Take positive action.

You may be feeling some helpless right now, that the only thing that you could do was turn off the volume or go to the bathroom. The best way to combat helplessness may be to take some positive action. Do something that may lead to a better situation. This may be registering to vote or helping others register to vote. This may be helping others in some way to create some positive energy.

Well, the “great news “is that there are two more of these debates to go. After all, why wouldn’t you like the feeling of putting a plunger on your face and plunging repeatedly. At least, you will now be forewarned and can prepare for another possible dumpster fire by bringing some marshmallows. Whatever your expectations may have been before the first debate, lower them, flush them down the toilet, and then lower them again. As a neurology resident once told me, happiness equals reality minus expectations.

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