Election Anxiety

I generally don’t wade into politics. It’s messy. It doesn’t feel good for me. It’s not generally healthy for my mental health and wellbeing. And this year feels a lot worse. Friends and families are deeply divided. Our country is divided. It’s an additional stressors to everything else happening in 2020.

I recently attended a training about increasing anxiety in the United States. However, I was surprised about one statistic: the percent of individuals experiencing significant anxiety related to the election is surprising. Recent studies suggest that 68% of Americans are experiencing significant anxiety about the upcoming elections. This is across political parties. Imagine, 68% of voting aged Americans are feeling significant stress about this upcoming election. Now add onto that the stress and anxiety related to COVID19 and we have a LOT of Americans walking around stressed and anxious.

The American Psychological Association has some tips for managing this anxiety. First, it’s important to not dwell on worst case scenarios. No matter which political party you are aligned with, it’s easy to begin thinking about worst case scenarios if your candidate does not win the election. When people obsess on these worst case scenarios, it’s actually harder to think rationally and problem-solve. If you find yourself ruminating on the what ifs of the election, try engaging in mindfulness or meditation. This will help stop the cycle of anxious thoughts and move you back into a more rational state of mind.

Second, have a plan for election day. Due to the shift in mail in voting, it’s possible that voting results will not be at the end of election day. Keep this in mind on the day of the election. This can help sooth your anxiety.  Also, think about actionable things you can do on election day. This may mean spending time with friends or family, watching a movie, going for a walk, or anything else that helps you feel calm and happy.

Finally, take a break from the news. As we approach election day, more and more people find themselves scrolling through social media consuming massive amounts of worst case scenario “news.” If you are unsure who you are going to vote for, make sure you are consuming news from reputable sources and not social media. If you know who you will be voting for, and you find yourself dwelling on worst case scenarios, recognize these thoughts for what they are: worst case scenarios.

Election years can be stressful. This year we are not simply dealing with an election year, but also a global health crisis, an economic crisis, as well as a cultural revolution. It’s normal to feel stress and anxiety. You have the power to manage your anxiety through conscious actions.

To health, hope, and healing

Krista