I moved to London this past Sep- tember with hopes to escape the bus- tling Washington, DC lifestyle that I had known for the last four years. With my visa and passport in hand and six- teen hours of flights ahead of me, I was ready to start fresh in London. How- ever, when I landed in London, I really did not leave my American life behind.
I knew the 2020 Presidential Elec- tion was coming up and I had just as much anxiety about it as someone back home. Everyone, including the Brits, knew this election was crucial and would determine most of our futures. Faced with the escalating stress of a new flat filled with housekeeping is- sues, registering for new modules, and trying to make new friends and join clubs, I could feel the anxiety begin- ning to set in.
I was told that it was normal to feel a mix of emotions because I was starting graduate school in a new country, but it also seemed like no one knew how scared I was as we approached Novem- ber. I could feel that I was carrying the anxiety physically – my shoulders were tense, and my stomach would flutter at the mention of, “did you vote yet?” I felt like a failure. I couldn’t get my ab- sentee ballot sent to the UK in time, and I had to tell myself it was okay.
Between trying to contact my landlord, doing hundreds of pages of reading, and keeping in contact with my friends back in Washington, I was burning out. I needed a way to help my mental health.
Luckily, I found the UCL Yoga So- ciety in the beginning of October. It was one of the best choices I had made since I moved to London. There was nothing better than being able to emp- ty my mind for an hour and focus on grounding techniques with my breath.
I was able to self-soothe when I felt anxious, and I began to have fun while learning to push my body to contort in different positions. Two classes a week was a great way to deal with the stress of everyday life, but as November ap- proached I began to have trouble sleep- ing. While to many in London it was exciting to watch the election results come in, as an American I was terrified for my friends and family back home.
It is such a hard topic to escape when it impacts people on a global level - COVID-19 was spiking again back home which made me even more concerned for my loved ones. I felt the stress actually leave my body the day af- ter the election, but that does not mean much.
I realized that while I could not con- trol the results, I could learn to control my mental health. Yoga has especially helped me connect with myself and re- lieve the stress of life. During these last few months I discovered sometimes the key to happiness starts with my yoga mat and some online classes.