Weary already? How to survive final countdown

Fifteen mornings from now the sun will come up and life will go on, no matter who the country chooses to occupy that 9th floor office in Wellington

etween today and September 24, the morning after what’s shaping to be the most closely contested election in more than a decade, quite a lot will happen.

But that’s no reason for anyone to lose their heads — politicians or us.

The Weekend Herald asked life coach Ines Bruins how both those who want the power, and those who will give it, can survive the final, frantic days of the election campaign.

For those of us on the giving side there can be a temptation by some to believe the Government “makes all the misery in our lives”.

So when the party they don’t support comes to power, they can think their lives will be ruined. That wasn’t true, Bruins said. “You still have your life and you can influence people in your world; your friends, your children.

“You’re allowed to be frustrated, but don’t make it influence your whole life. It’s not like the Government controls everything in our lives. You’re still in control of your life, so believe it.”

Voting is an important task and the avalanche of information to help voters make their decision can be overwhelming.

But it was okay to focus only on the issues that were important to you, Bruins said.

As for those on the hustings, likely surviving on little rest and lots of adrenaline, healthy eating and sleeping, and getting some exercise would ease the impact.

Finding time for all three wasn’t always possible, but those seeking to run the country would benefit from simply focusing their minds on both the positive and the now.

“Try to block those unhelpful thoughts . . . 90 per cent of our worries never come true.”

Meditation and mindfulness was a tool that was available anytime.

“You can do it in a car, in a meeting. Just put your hands on your tummy and breathe.”

And being true to yourself was far less exhausting than pretending to be something you’re not, she said.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, a four- time candidate for the top job, said once the campaign was under way candidates “don’t have a life outside it”.

Energy came from the conviction you held about what . you stood for and what you could achieve.

“The only way you survive with your body and mind intact is being open with the electorate.

“The most important thing i s you’ve got to have a clear view of what you hope to achieve and be realistic about that.

“Focus on what’s real. Don’t get distracted into absurdities and don’t believe you are going to save the world on your own.” Labour i s ahead of National in the third consecutive poll to be released in the last two weeks.

The party is at 37 per cent in the new Bauer Media Insights IQ poll of 1528 Kiwi voters, which had National sitting at 34 per cent yesterday.

These results come less than a day after the release of the latest 1 NewsColmar Brunton poll, which on Thursday night put Labour at 43 per cent and National at 39 per cent.

Another 1 News- Colmar Brunton poll from late last month had Labour at 43 per cent, with National slightly behind on 41 per cent.

According to Bauer Media’s poll, a significant 10 per cent of voters are still unsure which party would get their vote — unlike other polls it collected “don’t knows” separately.

It also puts the Greens up fractionally compared with earlier polls — at 6 per cent — and New Zealand First down slightly on 7 per cent.

Other minor parties — Top, Act and Maori — are at 2 per cent, 1 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, Jacinda Ardern holds a commanding lead in the preferred prime minister stakes over Bill English, according to the poll — 46 per cent to 36 per cent.

But nearly half ( 47 per cent) also thought the economy would do better under English. Only 29 per cent thought the country was more likely to financially thrive under Ardern.

Don’t get distracted into absurdities and don’t believe you are going to save the world on your own. Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger