7 ways to give yourself a mental break from the election
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Trope Bookshop is a bus-turned-romance-bookshop and a good book is one of many ways to take a break this election season. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
While it's important to vote and stay aware of what's going on in the election, the bombardment of ads, candidates visiting North Carolina and a 24-hour news cycle can feel overwhelming.
Here are seven ways to give yourself a little mental break.
Dance it out
Tango at The Long Room in Plaza Midwood, take a hip-hop class at NC Dance District in LoSo or try a ballet or tap class at Charlotte Ballet in Uptown.
Go deeper: NC Dance District offers hip-hop dance lessons for adults of all levels
Take a yoga class
A little mindful movement goes a long way to quiet your mind. Don't skip savasana — the pose at the end that you spend the entire class working toward.
- There are tons of locations to check out across Charlotte, including The Coterie Wellness Studio in Wesley Heights, Pranayama House Healing Center in Plaza Midwood, Physoulcal Fitness and Wellness in northwest Charlotte, Y2 (multiple locations), Khali Yoga Center in NoDa, Arrichion in South End and CorePower Yoga (multiple locations).
Go deeper: New yoga studio opens in Wesley Heights ... A new boutique fitness studio with heated classes is now open in northwest Charlotte
Get outside
Go for a walk, a run, a bike ride — or just touch the grass and put your phone down. Check out one of Charlotte's many greenways, parks or nature preserves.
- You can also head to a state park (Crowders Mountain is 45 minutes away) or explore the trails at the Whitewater Center (your dog and your kid will thank you for this one).
Go deeper: Several North Carolina state parks reopening after Helene ... 15 ways to spend a day at the Whitewater Center
Check out a museum exhibit
"Southern/Modern" recently opened at the Mint Museum Uptown and will be on view through Feb. 2, 2025. Use your "I voted" sticker for free admission through Election Day.
- Stop by the Harvey B. Gantt Center, the Bechtler Museum and the Levine Museum of the New South.
- Go deeper: Free admission to the Mint Museum Uptown ... New exhibit at The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Help pets in shelters
Animal Care & Control is at maximum capacity and desperately needs people to foster dogs. You can also volunteer with AC&C, adopt a dog or cat, or take a dog for a daycation.
Go deeper: Give Charlotte shelter dogs a break from the kennel with a daycation or staycation
Get lost in a good book
Check out one of the many local bookstores in the Charlotte area.
Go deeper: Charlotte-area independent book stores ... New independent bookstore opens in east Charlotte ... Meet Charlotte's romance book store on wheels
Take me out to the ball game
Charlotte FC plays its inaugural home playoff match Friday, Nov. 1, at Bank of America Stadium. It's the first time Charlotte has hosted a major league playoff game in nearly a decade.
- They host Orlando City at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $20.
- Go deeper: Charlotte FC prepares for biggest match in club history
Head to Spectrum Center for a Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics game Friday, Nov. 1, at 7pm and Saturday, Nov. 2, at 6pm.
- Tickets for tonight start at $30.50 and tickets start at $40 for Saturday night.
- Go deeper: Everything you need to know before a Hornets game ... Popular dishes from Dressler-owned restaurants available at Hornets games
