The majority of Americans Emotions and tensions continue to rise in the country as the country feels stressed by the presidential election. the final countdown to election day.
“Like everyone else, I have a lot of nerves and anxiety,” California voter Kay Hanley told CBS News.
“Democrats and Republicans have said they feel our democracy is under threat, so at least the stakes are high in this election,” said Anthony Salvanto, director of elections and research for CBS News. , pointed out that the people are feeling the pressure. regardless of political party.
So how can we reduce stress and anxiety? Experts from around the country suggest:
exercise: Although you may not want to worry about it, doing movement or other activities that you enjoy can help reduce stress.
For example, “Typical self-care habits we all engage in, such as getting physically active, participating in fun activities, and making sure discussions with friends and family aren’t always about problems.” Don’t ignore “. “I’m feeling stressed right now,” said Dr. Emmanuel Meidenberg, a clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA. Minnesota told CBS News.
Try to set some boundaries for your own well-being.
Dr. Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, previously said, “Humans have a natural tendency to want to feel in control, and elections can undermine that sense of control.” said. told CBS Pittsburgh. “…you need to focus on what you can control and what you can’t control, such as daily life, exercise, and self-care.”
Avoid going out or limit social interactions media: “Use it for information, not validation,” stress management expert John Gordon told CBS News. “Don’t tie your identity or mental health to what you see.”
fall into “Doomscroll” Alternatively, spending too much time reading upsetting news can have negative effects.
“We’re exposed to a lot of news that isn’t necessarily positive, happy, or uplifting, which adds to the distress,” Meidenberg said.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma recently told CBS News that she suggests setting timers on social media apps and setting boundaries on phone notifications to limit doomscrolling.
“It’s really important to have and carve out a sacred space throughout the day that you don’t have any notifications about,” she said. “For many people, when they’re having a conversation, when they’re at the dinner table, their phone is constantly telling them what’s going on in the news moment by moment, and it’s very difficult to pay attention to it and be productive. It’s about being able to become a person and connect with your family.”
Avoid political talk. Experts say they want voters to make their voices heard at the polls, not in tense conversations.
“When it comes to election-related stress, participating in the political process is an important way to manage stress,” said Arthur C. Evans, CEO of the American Psychological Association.
Election stress for children
It’s not just adults who feel anxious about elections. Even people who are too young to vote can feel stressed before and after elections, especially when they see how their parents handle their emotions.
“It’s important to note that this is not the case,” said Matt Edelstein, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. told CBS News Baltimore That means parents should talk to their kids about the emotions of election season.
“Acknowledge their stress,” Edelstein says. “It helps validate their emotions and connect what they’re feeling to what’s actually happening in the world.”
Edelstein also suggests managing overwhelming media exposure.
“The important thing is that we explain our emotions to our children and model how they can have emotions but still be regulated and rational,” he says.
