It feels like this election cycle has been going on forever, and a majority of Americans admit they’re feeling stressed by the presidential election, regardless of their political party.
“Democrats and Republicans tell us that they feel that democracy is under threat,” says CBS News Elections and Surveys Director Anthony Salvanto. “So all of that, at the very least, puts high stakes into this election.”
So, what can we do now that we’re in the final stretch to keep our stress and anxiety in check? Here’s what experts across the country suggest.
- Exercise - A sweat sesh may be the last thing on your mind today, but getting in some movement or other activity you enjoy is a great way to help decrease stress.
- Don’t forget self-care - Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, reminds us to make time for our typical self-care routines that include activities we love and make us feel good. He also advises “making sure that discussions we have with friends or family members are not necessarily around the topics that are currently stressful,” like the election.
- Establish some boundaries for your own well-being - We tend to want to feel in control and elections can take away that feeling of control, shares psychologist Dr. Susan Albers. She says, “We need to focus on what we can control versus what we can’t,” like exercise, your routine and self-care.
- Stay off or limit social media - “Use it to get information and not validation,” explains stress management expert Jon Gordon. “Don’t tie your identity or your own mental health to what you’re watching.”
- Doomscrolling - It’s easy to spend way too much time reading news that upsets you, but it can make you feel even worse.
- Avoid talking politics - Sure, it sounds easy enough, but the topic can be tough to avoid, especially today. Instead of engaging in those tense conversations, experts advise making your voice heard at the ballot box. American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C Evans says, “For election-related stress, being engaged in the political process is an important way to manage our stress.”
Source: CBS News
