Dealing with election anxiety and stress

If you are feeling anxious and stressed over the 2020 Election, you are not alone.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 68% of adults say that the 2020 presidential election is a significant source of stress in their life. That’s a large jump from 2016 where 52% said that the presidential election caused significant stress in their life.

The poll found that the future of the country and political climate is a significant source of stress among Americans. 

This makes it more important than ever to create the climate we want to live in. I wrote this past weekend about the choices we all have about creating the world we want to live in. We can, if we choose, create a more inclusive and accepting place for all of us. We do not have to be divided where neighbors, family, and friends are pitted against one another. 

Regardless, the stress and anxiety many of us are feeling is real. I have found a number of things that help me deal with stress and anxiety:

• Limit the amount of news coverage you are consuming through TV and social media. Dedicate a limited amount of time where you can check-in and see what’s going on. There is so much information, especially on social media, that in itself can become overwhelming. It’s unlikely that we will know the outcome of the 2020 Election on election night due to the large number of absentee ballots cast due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Uncertainty many times breeds overthinking. Many of us want to know what comes next and when we are not sure this can lead to overthinking and anxiety. I try and set times throughout to “think” to try and limit the opportunities for overthinking. 
• Find outlets to relieve your stress through journaling, art, or other projects. This will help channel that negative energy into something positive. Personally, I find writing and photography to great outlets for expressing myself.
• Limit the amount of time you talk about politics and current events with family, friends, and coworkers. With so much going on in the world, it is tempting to let these topics dominate conversations with those closest to you. I find being upfront can help set boundaries when discussing these issues. 
• Meditate regularly. I often speak about how meditation has changed my life. Each morning, I start my day off with a 10-15 minute meditation that helps ground me for the rest of the day. I find when you meditate consistently and regularly it helps keep stress levels at bay than just meditating during stressful times. Headspace, a meditation app, is offering free meditations specifically geared toward election anxiety and stress. There are tons of apps, services, and websites geared toward meditation. Find what works best for you! 
• Deep breathing exercises. Just like meditation, deep breathing exercises help slow down your breathing and calm your thoughts. I find that when I catch them early enough, I can calm down a lot quicker. There are some apps that are available that have visual elements along with deep breathing exercises.

The APA also has additional tips and advice on coping with election stress and anxiety:

• Stay active 
• Eat healthy
• Stay socially connected with family and friends
• Find activities that are meaningful to you 

How are you dealing with election anxiety and stress?

Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist or mental health professional.