It's OK if you don't watch the presidential debate. Here are other things you can do

During and after Thursday's final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, it might seem impossible to escape the political news. It may also seem like you shouldn't try. But it's OK if you need to tune out. 

While there are reasons to watch the debate – to keep up with the news or potentially learn more about the candidates – there are also plenty of reasons to tune out. Maybe you already have decided who will get your vote. Maybe you were turned off by the first debate or found it triggering (you wouldn’t be alone). Maybe you are just too tired. 

The loud, combative September 29 debate was "pretty universally experienced as traumatizing," according to Sherry Hamby, a University of the South psychology professor and founding editor of the American Psychological Association journal Psychology of Violence. "I know several people who couldn't even get through the whole thing."

If you aren't watching the debate, there are plenty of things you can do. Here are some options. 

• You can watch one of the 50 best shows on Netflix. Or Hulu. Or Amazon, which is now streaming the "Borat" sequel, a day earlier than planned.  
• You could also plan your Halloween costume, or go to a Halloween drive-thru experience (they’re pandemic-friendly!) Or look at these pictures of the best pumpkin patches in every state while you carve a pumpkin.
• Maybe do some holiday shopping for gifts for your family? How about one of these 15 things that help relieve stress?
• If you don’t want to spend money right now, you could also try your hand at DIYing some of these fall fashion trends at home without shopping.
• There's nothing like curling up with a good book. Try downloading one of these top 20 for fall. 

If the election, the pandemic and all the tragedy of 2020 has been hard for you mentally, we have some resources to help you cope. Here are some tips for meditation. We even spoke to some astronauts about how they handle anxiety and isolation. 

2020 has been so hard. We have a newsletter dedicated to helping you cope with the pandemic and other stressors in your life. It always has a cute pet picture. You can sign up here.

Also, remember that you can log off Twitter and Facebook and Instagram if that’s better for your mental health.

"I advise my patients to set a limit on their time reading the news and scrolling through social media," says Dr. Linda Anegawa, a primary care physician with virtual health platform PlushCare in Honolulu, Hawaii. "These activities can become not only a time suck, but it can drain your emotional energy. I usually recommend limiting consumption of the media to 30 minutes in the morning and at night."

"There is a fine line between being an informed citizen and making yourself crazy."

Contributing: Alia Dagastir