Dealing With Election Stress by Matthew Lowe, MS, DO, MBA

According to a recent survey, over ⅔ of Americans are stressed about this year’s election.  If you are in this majority, you may be feeling increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, trouble focusing on work, or feeling more irritable and on edge.  These are all natural responses to increased stress.  As the election approaches tomorrow, we are bombarded with commercials, TV interviews, social media posts, and news shows focusing on “what if” scenarios.  It’s hard to escape.  And given the current pandemic and the number of absentee votes cast by mail, we likely won’t know the outcome of the election for days or even weeks after election day.  So, the stress is likely to continue and maybe even increase for days after the election.

What can you do to decrease or manage the stress associated with the upcoming election and the days following?  Here are some suggestions:

1. Don’t focus on things that you can’t control.  Instead, focus on what you can control.  Sleep well.  Eat well.  Stay active.  Stick to a regular schedule.
2. Limit your exposure to social media, TV news, and the election coverage.  Avoid those posts and shows that trigger increased stress.
3. Take a break by allowing your brain to focus on something else.  Watch videos that bring you joy.  Listen to music you like.  Go for a walk outside.  Call a friend that won’t talk to you about politics.
4. Engage in meaningful activities.  Do things you enjoy.
5. Connect with supportive friends or family members and help them get through this stressful time.  Chances are they are stressed too.
6. Prepare yourself that the election results will be delayed and it may be a few days or a couple weeks before a winner will be declared.  Understanding this in advance and being okay with this uncertainty will be helpful.
7. Do something nice for someone else.  Help someone.  Volunteer.  Doing something for someone else makes you feel better.
8. Avoid being negative.  This includes negative attitudes, negative conversations, and negative coping strategies such as using substances or overeating.  Negativity can reduce your ability to handle stress and can suppress your immune system.
9. Find people who are supportive to be with (either safely in person or virtually) on election night.  Support each other.  Don’t just focus on the election.  Instead, do something fun and positive together.
10. Practice mindfulness.  Being present in the current moment is important for enjoying life in general, but is also helpful for not allowing stress and those “what if” moments to get the best of you.  Smartphone apps such as Headspace and Calm are helpful for teaching and practicing mindfulness.

Remember that none of these strategies will work perfectly the first time you try them and they may not work right away.  They take practice and they may take a while to work.  Stick with them.  If one doesn’t work, try another.  Try them all.  Also remember that you are not alone.  Many people out there feel the same way and are trying to manage their stress.  Keep going.  It will get better!

Photo:
https://www.dreamstime.com/election-day-usa-debate-president-voting-election-voting-poster-vote-usa-election-day-usa-debate-president-voting-image191048555