Election Anxiety Relief: Top 5 Strategies to Cope Until Voting Day
Stressing Over Elections? Here's a Remedy!
Are the upcoming elections leaving you worked up? You're not the only one. Over fifty percent of Americans report feeling anxious about the nation's future, according to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association.
Now, you don't need to cut off all news and political chatter until the election's over. But there are steps you can take to alleviate election-related stress:
- Moderate your media intake. Stay informed, but don't drown in it. Take a break from the newsfeed or social media. Revive yourself with a walk, hang out with friends, or indulge in activities you enjoy.
- Avoid heated discussions. Be mindful of how much election chatter you engage in with friends, family, or colleagues. (Think back to the good ol' days when discussing politics was a no-no!)
- Focus on productivity. Recognize that continuous worry about what may happen isn't productive. Funnel your concerns into actions that matter to you, such as volunteering, advocating for causes you care about, or joining community groups.
- Look on the bright side. Regardless of the election outcome, life will carry on. Avoid catastrophizing the situation and maintain a positive outlook.
- Vote. Voting is a proactive step. Arm yourself with unbiased information on candidates and issues and cast that ballot with pride.
Every election cycle generates some unease, and negative ads play a role in stirring anxiety. These ads often pit candidates against one another, but why do they still resonate among voters despite instilling stress?
Psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD, explains that we tend to gravitate toward opinions that align with our own, regardless of the dirty tactics. "The individuals who attack others may appeal to some supporters who share similar feelings," he says. "The person you empathize with the most, even if they conduct themselves in an unscrupulous manner, will appear favorable to you."
Remember, responses to attacks can impact our psyche as well. If someone defends themselves aggressively, it indicates insecurity. On the flip side, non-defensive responses can make that person seem more secure and confident, according to Dr. Bea. Instead of defending yourself too fiercely, he suggests acknowledging your weaknesses and falling short as a human being. This approach might take practice, but it can help you seem more approachable over time.
- To combat election-related stress, it's advisable to moderate your media intake and avoid heated discussions about politics.
- Instead of immersing yourself in the constant flow of election news, try focusing on productivity, such as volunteering or advocating for causes you care about.
- Additionally, every individual has a role to play in maintaining a positive outlook, regardless of the election outcome, by avoiding catastrophizing and looking on the bright side.
- Intriguingly, negative ads during elections often generate unease among voters, yet we tend to gravitate towards opinions that align with our own, even if those opinions are delivered through unscrupulous means.
