Election Day is right around the corner, and our nervous systems know it.
With nonstop coverage of all things politics across the United States, mental health company Calm and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance have partnered to offer Americans a “peaceful corner of the Internet” on that fateful day.
Starting at noon Pacific Time, and lasting until polls close across the country, Calm will host an exclusive live stream with the San Diego Zoo on Instagram Live.
Its stars? Wildlife such as capybaras, meerkats, penguins, and more.
“Research shows that watching animal videos can be a powerful stress reliever and mood enhancer, with even brief exposure reducing anxiety by up to 35%,” a Calm spokesperson told Good Good Good.
“While we know the weight of the election is significant, our mission to support everyone on their mental health journey led us to offer this small but meaningful touch of relief — something many Americans may need on November 5.”
According to a recent poll, about 7 in 10 Americans reported feeling anxious or frustrated about the 2024 presidential election, though many also said they remain interested in following the news surrounding the campaigns.
This combination of intrigue and anxiety is not inherently bad, but it certainly can lead to higher levels of stress, habits like doom-scrolling, and, according to the Associated Press, a general sense of uncertainty.
While cute animals can’t eliminate these complicated feelings, they sure can provide a temporary reprieve.
Calm says that folks can drop into the live feed whenever they need a moment away from all the alerts and breaking news. They can even tune in while waiting in line at the polls.
To up the ante, livestream attendees may also have the chance to receive a free one-year subscription to Calm to “help further ease any election anxiety as we await results,” the spokesperson added.
If cute critters aren’t your thing, or you still need support following the day’s activities, Calm has a library of free “Surviving Election Season” content.
This includes a Sleep Story by Michael Barbaro, the host of “The Daily,” who provides a soothing good news report to help listeners drift off to sleep.
And on Tuesday night, you’ll probably need it.
“Our goal is to create a calming corner of the internet, a moment of respite where people can drop in, whether it’s for five minutes or an hour,” Calm’s spokesperson said.
“We hope it brings some relief amidst the intensity of the election.”
Header image courtesy of Calm/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
