Relax, Northern Nevada! Here are 4 ways to de-stress ahead of Election Day

Stressed about Tuesday's election? Casting your ballot might be a cathartic experience, but millions of people across the country will be on pins and needles awaiting the results. If you need a way to break the tension, here are four options in Reno-Sparks to find a bit more inner peace.

Have a spa day

Massage out all the stress ... or wax it off ... or body-wrap it away. Whatever works. The region's numerous day spas are one way to forget about the election for a bit — or at least feel a little more relaxed while watching wall-to-wall political ads on TV.

"Yes, we have noticed an increase in overall stress levels, with the presidential election being a potential factor that seems to have heightened anxieties," Atlantis Casino Resort Spa's Esti Jordan told the RGJ. "We are very fortunate to be able to offer our spa as a sanctuary where guests can find relief from external events."

"We are a little biased (of course) but, yes, the spa is an amazing way to relax," says Dolce Vita's Kim Croft, though she notes that people are only a bit more stressed around the spa lately.

Bridget Rogers with Peppermill's Spa Toscana doesn't see an end to stress anytime soon, noting an influx of people getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. On Friday, they introduced the "Not Your Grandma's Fruitcake Facial" ahead of the holidays.

Nobody in town seems to be offering politics-themed treatments in town, however.

Smash things

If contained violence is your preferred coping mechanism, you can swing a baseball bat at inanimate objects. The iSmash USA location at Legends at Sparks is booking "smash sessions" of between 20 to 50 minutes, where participants are provided with bats, crowbars and sledgehammers to take out their frustrations on glassware, knickknacks, car windshields and electronic equipment (also provided). There's also an option to bring in your own box of items to destroy — say, bobbleheads of your least-favorite political candidate.

"This is a time of the year where people are stressed and frustrated that politics are just being shoved down our throat constantly," said Steven Shortino, CEO of iSmash. "And we have a venue where people can kind of just go and go and release that."

iSmash is located at 1425 George Ferris Drive, Suite 141 in Sparks. Sessions run from $30 to $85 per person. For details, visit ismashusa.com/locations/nv-reno/.

Debate about something else entirely

Tired of arguing about political platforms? Why not argue about the existence of aliens, or whether the fifth generation of Pokémon should count as Pokémon?

This weekend's 13th annual SNAFU Con (short for Sierra Nevada Anime Fans Unite) panels this year include discussions on the Fermi Paradox (which ponders why there's no confirmed evidence of aliens in a universe with countless stars and planets); another on whether newly introduced Pokémon like Musharna and Excadrill deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Mr. Mime, Voltorb and Muk; and several dozen more. Plus, there are special appearances by Stuart Zagnit, the original voice of Professor Oak, tabletop gaming, a cosplay contest, a swap meet and more.

It's taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St. in Reno. Individual day passes are $30. For details, visit snafucon.com.

Take a hike

There's another option to lower your blood pressure and get away from political rhetoric — and it's free. The region has a ridiculous amount of trails to hike.

And aside from a few morning showers on Saturday, the forecast calls for perfect hiking weather over the next few days: sunny and brisk.

"Regular exercise makes the heart stronger, which has many benefits including improved blood pressure," Natalie Allen, MEd, RDN at Missouri State University, told USA Today.  "Research shows regular cardio exercise can effectively lower blood pressure by 5-8mm Hg."

In other words: When your blood is boiling about politics, hit the trail.

Brett McGinness is the engagement editor for the Reno Gazette Journal. He's also the writer of The Reno Memo — a free newsletter about news in the Biggest Little City. Subscribe to the newsletter right here. Consider supporting the Reno Gazette Journal, too.

This story was updated to add a video.