Avoiding health risks during a volatile election: Strategies to protect your mental health
As Americans enter into the final week of the 2020 Elections, long voting lines, divisive politics, and political attack advertisements are increasing stress levels that are just as historic as the current rate of early voting. The American Psychological Association reports that nearly 70% of respondents to a recent survey say that the elections are a significant stress source. As votes are counted, and our nation learns this week who will lead the next four years of the government, it's important to note that panicking about politics is a bipartisan experience (Chatterjee, 2020). Here are some key takeaways to help you and others in the week ahead.
1. Mentally prepare and protect yourself: If you prepare yourself for delayed election results, you are countering any anxiety that will build on the evening of November 3 if election results are still not final. Just eight states have said that they anticipate being able to report 98 percent of the unofficial results by noon on Wednesday (Cusumano, 2020). By preparing yourself mentally for the uncertainty, you may decide to alter any traditional plans you have had in years past to stay up late for a result. Perhaps instead, you prepare to use this time to distract yourself with an activity you enjoy, like yoga or meditation.
2. Have a recovery plan: Once the result is announced, no matter if the candidate you voted for wins or loses, most Americans are tired of the back and forth among candidates and political parties. A survey by The Maple Counseling Center found that 52 percent of respondents believe their mental health has suffered due to the 2020 presidential elections. Media cycles and social media have also interrupted our lives. Individuals are encouraged to monitor how much news they consume and take regular breaks to reduce exposure. Individuals are also encouraged to set boundaries around political conversations and to take social media breaks as well. If you are afraid of talking about the results, don't talk about it at all and if you feel anger about a post on social media, take a walk or a short break before responding (Scully, 2020).
3. Nourish your body and mind: When anxiety and stress are at its peak, we may naturally choose to practice reassurance-seeking, which is looking for conclusive evidence that the situation is under control. However, experts encourage individuals to take the opportunity to explore the root cause of the anxiety and to resist black and white thinking by reading, reflecting, and focusing on what the result means, as looking for more data only feeds into the cycle of anxiety. By combating the inner turmoil and taking a moment to reflect quietly and take care of yourself, you invest in your emotional well-being and remain mindful of your health (Wortmann, 2020).
Over the week, the election results will greatly matter to each of us and impact us all. While it is our responsibility to vote, we do not have to sacrifice our health by investing significant amounts of our personal lives to the news, social media, and the outcome. While it is essential to remain informed and involved, you should always take care of yourself and your family by positively managing election stress.
References
Chatterjee, R. (2020, October 26). Election Stress Getting To You? 4 Ways to Keep Calm. Retrieved from NPR Your Health: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/10/26/927340197/election-stress-getting-to-you-4-ways-to-keep-calm
Cusumano, K. (2020, October 31). Don't Give In To Election Stress Disorder. Retrieved from New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/at-home/election-stress.html
Scully, S. M. (2020, October 30). 7 Tips to Cope with Stress Before and After the Election. Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/cope-with-stress-before-and-after-election
Wortmann, F. (2020, September 12). How to Deal with Election Anxiety. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/triggered/202009/how-deal-election-anxiety
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