Our goal this summer (and all the other seasons too!) is to keep you healthy and happy. At Health Fitness Revolution, we have always recognized the health benefits of being involved in politics. We are the first magazine to publish articles on topics such as annual lists of the fittest heads of state, and other relevant politicians. We also make a point to applaud the political officials that promote healthy living.
So, while we highly encourage typical health aspects like physical movement and a balanced diet, exercising your right to participate in the political landscape is an additional relevant factor! As this year has surely been a challenge, taking a toll on many Americans’ mental and physical health, it is more important than ever to voice your opinions on matters that not only affect you but the communities around you (before, during, and after the upcoming elections).
Research actually shows that there is a link between voting and positive mental health outcomes. Lynn Sanders, Ph.D., associate professor of politics at the University of Virginia completed a study proving that voting can lessen the stress from being economically or socially disadvantaged, as well as can reduce the risk of future mental health issues. Further, the notion of actively attempting to make a large scale change within the political landscape creates a sense of empowerment and control amongst citizens, which can lead to improvements in one’s overall well-being.
What are some steps you can take to become more politically involved?
Educate Yourself
A great way to begin implementing state-wide change is simply to become educated. You cannot influence others to develop new policies if you do not feel confident in what you are discussing. So, learn the facts of the issue at hand! There are many ways to educate yourself; begin with reading articles, documentaries, or speeches concerning history as well as the current news surrounding a certain issue.
All of the upcoming candidates have their own campaign websites as well as social media platforms. These platforms are used for the candidates to speak directly to their voters, which can be very resourceful in keeping up to date with each candidate’s political policies. Educating yourself through neutral news reporting can be very helpful as well.
Something to also keep in mind is that you should not solely rely on the media for information. Certain media outlets have the tendency to relay information in a very biased way. So, make sure to do your own research!
Contact Your Elected Officials
Many people are interested in policy reform within their state. Especially in light of the Black Lives Matter movement, communities are promoting reaching out to your state’s political officials to demand policy reform. But how do you know which political official is in the position of power to implement the change you want to see?
In order to begin systematic change, it is important to put pressure on our elected officials! A very effective way to demand policy reform includes contacting your district council members. A council member’s job is to represent the needs and wants of their community, so do not be afraid to voice your opinion. Further, it can be highly effective to start by reaching out to local officials as they are more likely to receive your demands and allow you to be heard.
However, enhancing public pressure on our elected officials does not have to be limited to district council members. There are many officials that hold the power to implement political change: Click here to learn how to contact your state’s federal, state, and local officials.
Click here as well for a letter template to contact your elected officials.
VOTE
The last extremely important method in demanding policy change is to utilize your Fifteenth Amendment right and vote in political officials that actually represent you and your community.
Why is it important to vote?
Elected officials are put in place to represent YOU. If you are unhappy with certain policies, it is your responsibility to vouch for your interests! Further, if you ever find yourself considering the possibility that your individual vote may not matter, think again. Just to gain a little perspective, in 2000, Al Gore lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bushby by .009 percent in Florida. We have seen several marginal wins in recent local and national elections as well. The evidence speaks for itself: your vote matters!
Lastly, if you are a young individual reading this, remember that young voters account for almost half of the voting population today. Young people have a unique opportunity to influence public policies that affect millions.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King Jr
— CEEP (@CampusElect) June 11, 2020
There is power in action, there is power #WhenWeAllVote. Make sure your registration is up to date today ➡️ https://t.co/rDHFLUkNeB. pic.twitter.com/1mU7KgW46J
Here is a list of important upcoming voting deadlines to keep track of!
