6 Ways to Ease Election Anxiety
Not that long ago, human beings were not inundated with updates (real or fake) from all corners of the earth. While it can be important to keep up with certain developments, we mostly end up overwhelmed by the deluge. As with any case of information overload, this can result in high anxiety. For example, the 24/7 coverage of an election can wreak havoc on anyone’s mental well-being.
In an anxious state, people are more likely to engage in anti-social behavior patterns that do nothing to impact the point at hand. Translation: You’re stressed and not making a difference. How can these tendencies be effectively addressed?
Common Signs of Election Anxiety
It includes, of course, traditional signs of an anxiety disorder, e.g.:
High levels of fatigue with no clear explanation
Hypersensitivity to external stimuli
Hyper-vigilance
Trouble sleeping
Edginess and irritability
Appetite changes
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate
Dry mouth, sweating, and trembling
Digestive disturbances
Panic attacks
Since anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition in the world, the above symptoms are hardly rare. But how do you identify the causes? In the case of election anxiety, these red flags could be how you recognize its presence:
Chronic frustration
Palpable anger aimed at anyone who disagrees with you or isn’t politically active
Seeing people in your life as either being with you or against you
Feeling like no one is “awake” and understands what’s “really” going on
A negative, cynical worldview
Obsessing over every detail and update about the election process
If any of the above hits close to home, you might want to try some self-help steps, for starters.
6 Ways to Ease Election Anxiety
1. Cast a Vote for Self-Care
No matter what you do or who wins, there is never a downside to practicing self-care. Under any circumstances, you will feel better when you:
Maintain regular sleep patterns
Make healthy eating choices
Engage in physical activity every day
Cultivate stress management and relaxation techniques
Self-care is an excellent way to lead by example while sustaining the resilience needed to face the challenges of everyday life.
2. Recognize What You’re Dealing With
If you’re feeling stressed by the social media behavior of others, keep in mind that all of us are at the mercy of artificial intelligence algorithms. Platforms like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) are designed to gather people into small groups of kindred spirits. When you accept what you’re dealing with, it can ease anxiety because your news feed is not an accurate snapshot of the big picture.
3. What Can You Control?
When you feel passionate about public issues, it’s tempting to perceive your influence as pervasive. In reality, some things are within your control, and many things are not. The concerns swirling around every election season are enough to cause anxiety, but the road back to clarity is paved with context. Focus on what you have the power to change.
4. Take Positivity Breaks
The internet is teeming with the full range of our human experience. Taking a break to, say, watch reels of people performing random acts of kindness is not denial. It’s balance.
5. Campaign For Hope
No matter what has made you passionate about this election, you can always be an agent of hope. There are ways to reach people without starting an argument or ending with a blocked social media account.
6. Help Others
No politician can do it all, regardless of whether you support or dislike them. So, what can you do within your community to begin modeling the type of world you want to live in?
Anxiety disorders are diagnosable conditions. If you feel stuck in a cycle of stress and worry, please contact our office to schedule an appointment for anxiety treatment to get the help you need and deserve.
