Entertainment
How to take a mental health day after Election Day
With Election Day finally over, you might find yourself scrolling social media for hours on end — elated that Donald Trump won, or devastated that he defeated Kamala Harris.
Either way, you might instead consider a hard-earned break from the 2024 election altogether.
Whether you call the act of signing off on Wednesday a mental health day, social media detox, or simply touching grass, there is nothing you can gain from election-related hypervigilance, said Dr. Richard E. Cytowic, author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload.
“Whether you’re obsessed about it or not, the vote count is going to be what it’s going to be,” Cytowic told Mashable prior to Election Day.
Still, many people have spent the past several weeks or months agitated and anxious about the election.
They’re not just experiencing average stress, either. The American Psychological Association’s recent poll of U.S. adults found nearly three-quarters of respondents worried that the election results could lead to violence, and more than half believe this election could be the end of democracy in America. With such incredibly high stakes in mind, it’s no surprise that people have struggled with the uncertainty of knowing who will become president of the United States, and under what circumstances.
Yet, Cytowic said people also need an off-ramp from this anxiety, rather than letting it persist and fester. You may become fearful for other reasons now that the election results are clear, but at least you’ll have a reprieve before new worries fully dominate your thoughts.
To help create this break, Cytowic, who is also a clinical professor of neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, recommends the following strategies:
Accept that you don’t have control over what happens. If you voted, try considering that the end of your election season journey, because you did what was within your power to help determine the outcome, Cytowic said.
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You may want to start or continue activism and organizing, but much of that work involves direct action, not impulsively checking social media. Plus, you’ll need to be rested and ready to engage; self-care is a political act and always has been.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in politics in the coming months (remember: the Women’s March didn’t happen until the January after the November 2016 election).
Log off as much as possible. Cytowic said that people are overwhelmed because they’re being bombarded by political advertising, social media content, and media coverage about the election, all of which can make them more anxious.
Now that the election is over, you may be scrolling for election postmortems, as well as guidance for how to cope with what the New York Times described on Wednesday as the “precipice of an authoritarian style of governance never before seen in [the United States’] 248-year history.”
You can try pausing or silencing notifications, so your phone doesn’t lure you back into a vicious cycle of checking for updates. If it’s helpful, decide in advance to only check the news at certain times, such as after meals.
Spend time with someone you care about. Social media and tech devices tend to pull us away from in-person interactions. But being with a friend or loved one with whom you enjoy spending time can be restorative, Cytowic said. So the days after the election could be a great time to grab coffee with a co-worker (you can choose to avoid politics), invite a friend to dinner, or speak to a family member (instead of texting them).
Do non-purposeful activities. Cytowic said that the human brain needs time to do nothing, because it’s straining to be constantly stimulated. Bonus points if you’re able to go outside to clear your mind.
The Dutch refer to such idling as Niksen, Cytowic said. The point is to shift your mental focus and use this time as an opportunity to reset the brain’s proverbial circuit breakers. Cytowic particularly recommends looking at trees or the sky, or listening to birds. Even a quiet minute under a tree in a park can be beneficial.
Do a meditative activity. Quitting your device and social media for the day won’t be easy if you don’t plan alternative activities. Cytowic recommends hobbies that help you stay in the present moment or achieve a sense of flow. These can include meditation, cooking, playing cards, gardening, sports, and other engaging pursuits.
However you choose to give yourself a break after Election Day, just be sure to give yourself a meaningful opportunity to transition away from any stress or anxiety you’ve been living with for days, weeks, or months.
Cytowic said that if people can seize that chance, they’ll be much happier than if they never stop their “relentless exposure” to screens, politics, and the turmoil they often create.
UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2024, 9:46 a.m. PST This story was written prior to Election Day. It was updated to reflect the election’s results.
Entertainment
400K MagSafe power banks recalled after fatal fire, the 10th power bank recall in a year
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Casely reannounced a power bank recall this April after a fire linked to the device fatally injured a user. This is the tenth power bank recall in the United States in the last 12 months, and Anker recalled 1.5 million power banks in 2025.
The recall affects an estimated 429,200 Casely 5,000-mAh MagSafe Power Pods (Model E33A), which were originally recalled in 2025. The MagSafe power banks need to be completely replaced.
Back of Casely power banks.
Credit: CPSC
Affected customers should stop using the portable power banks immediately. They can also contact Casely to receive a free replacement.
“The recalled lithium-ion battery in the power banks can overheat and ignite, posing risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards to consumers,” the CPSC stated on its recall website.
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The Brooklyn-based company is reannouncing the recall after receiving 51 reports of the lithium-ion battery overheating, expanding, and/or catching fire while charging smartphones, “resulting in six minor burn injuries.”
However, in the past year, the CPSC says 28 more reports have been made, including explosions that caused a serious accident on an airplane and one death.
In August 2024, a 75-year-old woman from New Jersey, was charging her cell phone with the power bank on her lap when it caught on fire and exploded. The victim suffered second and third degree burns and later passed away from complications from her injuries. In February 2026, a 47-year-old woman was charging her cell phone with the power bank on an airplane when it caught on fire and exploded, resulting in the victim suffering first degree burns.
How to check your Casely Power Pod
Worried you may own one of the 429,000 recalled power banks? It’s easy to check if your device is included in the recall.
On the back of the device, look for the device’s model number, as show in a picture provided by the CPSC. If the model number reads “E33A,” then stop using the device immediately.
Look for the model number.
Credit: CPSC
More information on requesting a replacement power bank is available on the CPSC and Casely recall websites.
Entertainment
The new Dyson Supersonic Travel is the cheapest Supersonic yet
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Nearly three years ago, I asked if the (then) $429 Dyson Supersonic was still worth the price of entry.
These days, with the Supersonic line having expanded, the standard model having increased in price to $449.99, and the most expensive version of the hair dryer topping out at $549.99, it’s a question that feels even more apt.
The good news? If you’re not super into the idea of spending about $500 for a hair dryer, Dyson just announced the Dyson Supersonic Travel, a $299.99 model of its famous hair tool. In addition to its lower price point, it comes with more travel-friendly proportions and features.
As someone who’s personally tested Supersonics (and their many dupes), I took a closer look at the latest Dyson beauty launch to gather everything you need to know.
The design differences of the Dyson Supersonic Travel
In short, the Supersonic Travel is the standard Supersonic but smaller. According to Dyson, that comes out to exactly 32 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the OG Supersonic. In other words, it’s 0.7 pounds to the standard Supersonic’s 1.8 pounds, and 8.7 inches tall to the larger model’s 10 inches.
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This model also comes with one attachment, the styling concentrator, a la the now-discontinued Dyson Supersonic Origin (which ran for $399.99). For comparison, the $449.99 Supersonic comes with three attachments: a styling concentrator, diffuser, and wide-tooth comb. For all five attachments, you’ll have to shell out $549.99.
The Supersonic Travel is compatible with all original and Supersonic Nural attachments.
Credit: Dyson
The same attachments can be used between the Travel, original, and Supersonic Nural dryers. This means opting for the Travel could technically save you some money — individual attachments range from $19.99 to $44.99. If you only use a styling concentrator and diffuser, for instance, the total cost of a Travel dryer with the extra attachment purchase would come out to $344.98, making it still over $100 cheaper than the three-attachment original Supersonic.
The Supersonic Travel is more versatile in some ways, and less so in others
Functionality-wise, the Supersonic Travel is a slightly different product from the other Supersonics in the line. It has anywhere from 1,000 to 1,220 watts of power and an airflow speed of 11.6 liters per second, compared to the 1,600 watts and 13.3 liters per second of the standard Supersonic. In other words, the bigger dryer is slightly more powerful, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect longer dry times.
The standard Supersonic and Supersonic Nural also feature four heats and three air speeds, where the Supersonic Travel features three heats and two air speeds.
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That said, the Supersonic Travel has universal voltage compatibility, so it can be used from 100 to 240 volts, whereas the other Supersonics are locked into 120 volt compatibility.
In terms of its portability, it’s also worth noting the Supersonic Travel weighs the same as the Supersonic r, a professional grade hair dryer (priced as such at $549.99) that’s become more popular due in part to being lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Where to buy the Dyson Supersonic Travel
The Dyson Supersonic Travel is available for $299.99 at Dyson’s website, Amazon, and Best Buy. If you buy at the former, you will receive a complimentary $59.99 travel bag along with the hair dryer.
Entertainment
The gorgeous yet budget-friendly Samsung QN70F Neo QLED TV is the cheapest its ever been
SAVE $300: As of April 21, you can get the Samsung 55-inch QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV for only $597.99 instead of $897.99 at Amazon. That’s 33% in savings and the lowest price on record.
$597.99
at Amazon
$897.99
Save $300
We’re in peak sports season, y’all. Besides the action of the Stanley Cup playoffs and NBA playoffs, there’s a fresh MLB season taking shape. If your TV is looking dull or lagging, it’s a prime time to upgrade — especially since you can find some epic deals on 2025 models.
As of April 21, the Samsung 55-inch QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $597.99. That’s 33% or $300 off its current list price, as well as its lowest price to date.
As Mashable’s TV expert Leah Stodart explains, “Neo QLED is really just Samsung’s proprietary term for QLED paired with Mini LED.” So, the QN70F features a panel of quantum dots over a bunch of tiny LED bulbs instead of a basic LED panel. The result? A stunning display with impressive color accuracy, deep blacks, and spectacular contrast. All the little details will look good no matter the lighting conditions in your room.
This TV uses an NQ4 AI Gen2 processor to upscale content and enhance the quality of anything you’re watching. So even those old episodes of Friends will look more impressive on the QN70F. And thanks to a 144Hz variable refresh rate, gaming and sports will look noticeably smoother and less laggy than your old set.
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If an upgrade is in order, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money, the Samsung QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV is an excellent value at full price. At $300 off, it’s a steal.
400K MagSafe power banks recalled after fatal fire, the 10th power bank recall in a year
The new Dyson Supersonic Travel is the cheapest Supersonic yet
