Avoiding Election Anxiety

Whether you consider it a fundamental right or a privilege, voting is vital because it's a chance to make your voice heard.

It's an important time, and with the 2024 election only a few weeks away, you've probably absorbed a lot of information about the issues that interest you. You're not alone in that!

Research says that as many as 60% of Americans track political news. That's great! We should know what's going on in our country. However, being so passionate—or even negative coverage—can leave you feeling burned out. Some therapists call it "election stress disorder."

The American Psychiatric Association reported that 73% of people they polled are "particularly anxious" about the 2024 election, and that can be bad for your health. Constant anxiety and stress can lower your immunity, affect your sleep and increase risks for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and stroke.

So, how can you manage these feelings and take better care of your mental health between now and November?

Limit your news consumption. If you are getting upset or going "down the rabbit hole" for long periods, it's time to take a break. Sure, the information is right at your fingertips, thanks to your cell phone, but you should stop when that information is causing you stress. So, try setting a timer to limit how long you spend on political topics.

Vary your sources of information. An unfortunate part of technology is that anyone can post anything at any time—and it's not always accurate. So, if you're not going to take a break from the news, at least look for varying takes before assuming the sky is falling. Also, try to seek out positive headlines versus "clickbait."

Set boundaries. If you've decided that avoiding political discussions is best for your mental health, it's okay to politely disengage when family, friends or co-workers broach the subject. Especially if you're concerned about damaging the relationship. Simply tell them you respect their insights and interests, but you've decided not to engage in political discourse for your well-being.

Focus on happiness. A recent study found that doing meaningful activities for eight days increased feelings of vitality, satisfaction and purpose. So, watch a funny movie, pick up a book from your to-be-read pile or find a new hobby. And if you get online, find a corner of the Internet where you can discuss something you love—like your favorite TV show—rather than politics.

Stay physically active. Not only is exercise a great distraction, but it also reduces stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. In 2020, researchers also found that people who swapped 30 minutes of social media scrolling for exercise for two weeks were less stressed by the news.

Remember, being passionate and knowledgeable about the world around you is great. However, what's more important is your health, so don't be afraid to do something about it when you recognize signs of election anxiety.

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