Managing Election Stress and Anxiety

If you’re feeling particularly stressed this election season, you’re not alone. A poll from the American Psychological Association found that the economy, the future of our country, and the presidential election are causing many Americans stress.

Healthy Minds NYC Co-Founder Chanel Dokun recently spoke with NY1 News Anchor Rocco Vertuccio to offer tips for managing election anxiety. Watch the video below and read on for tips that can make a radical difference in your mental health this fall.

WHY IS THE ELECTION SO STRESSFUL?

Our deepest beliefs, values, and desires are confronted when discussing politics. Candidates and policies become stand-ins for our innermost anxieties, hopes, and dreams. When we talk about election stress, we often experience it on two levels:

Interpersonal Stress

Interpersonal stress is the external conflict we see playing out online, around dinner tables, and through our digital conversations. This kind of stress causes a strain on your relationships as tensions flare and arguments build between people who disagree.

With interpersonal stress, it’s critical that we decide if we want to be right or be in a relationship. In moments of conflict, we often think the goal is to get our point across. But this isn’t the most critical aim when it comes to relationships. 

When managed well, conflict is an opportunity to grow in intimacy or connection. When discussing politics with loved ones, use conflict management skills to understand the other person better, share your perspective, and bond over shared dreams for the future.

Personal Stress

Personal stress is the internal conflict and tension we feel both physically and emotionally. Most election stress is personal. As altruistic as we feel discussing politics, most of our election stress is related to our fears for our lives and those we love. Will I be able to afford groceries? How might my employment options shift? What if my access to healthcare changes? 

Remember that stress is a natural response to pressure. If we slow down to pay attention to what we’re experiencing, we can learn a lot about what matters to us and what we think about the world at large. 

HELPFUL WAYS TO MANAGE ELECTION STRESS

You don’t have to sink under the weight of stress from the 2024 presidential election. Try taking the following steps to feel better fast.

• Focus on what’s in your area of control. 
  Elections bring up a lot of issues we care about, but few we can have a massive impact on right away. Put energy into things you can influence. That might mean canvassing in these final days, texting friends with reminders to vote, or, after the election, seeking ways to get involved in local civic issues. 

• Get “P.E.P.” through self-care. 
  Find ways to replenish yourself physically (like sleep, exercise, and healthy meals), emotionally (like disconnecting from media periodically), and psychologically (like reading or listening to a podcast). 

• Talk to a professional. 
  Connect with friends and family who you trust. Also, reach out to your therapist if you feel overwhelmed or like election stress is interfering with your life. Stress and anxiety are highly treatable. Signs of stress might look like an inability to focus at work or increased irritability in conversations with loved ones.

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Make a plan now to manage anxiety and stress today.