Following the ups and downs of politics can cause stress for a lot of people and after recent events, some are feeling more anxious than ever. Between Trump’s assassination attempt and President Biden dropping his bid for reelection, stress levels may be higher than ever, and we still have more than four months until the November election. That’s why it’s important to find ways to manage all that election stress.
"We're in a state of flux, and brains really don't like ambiguity," psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis explains. "They like knowing what to expect, and so this one more thing that's changed, for a lot of people, it triggers a lot of turmoil."
Here’s what experts recommend to keep political uncertainty from taking a toll on your mental health.
- “Master your morning” - Licensed clinical professional counselor Nefertiti Nowell lives by the motto: “If you can master your morning, you can master your day.” To do this, she suggests doing some quick stretching exercises and writing down something you’re grateful for, and coming up with a new source of gratitude each day. Yoga and meditation can help, too.
- Take breaks from your news alerts - It’s good for our mental health to take breaks from watching the news. Sarkis recommends taking a walk or doing something else active when you step away.
- Focus on what’s not changing - Unpredictability is a major source of stress from politics, so try focusing on things that aren’t changing in your life. Think of what’s consistent that you can count on to help feel more in control.
- Channel your stress - “Many individuals get a sense of purpose and strength by channeling their anxiety into action,” says therapist Mona Eshaiker. That can include things like volunteering at the polls, canvassing, protesting, and attending a town hall and being part of a group can give you a sense of community.
- Go on a media cleanse - Even taking a one-day break from looking at the news or social media can help you focus on other things and unwind from some of that stress you’re feeling.
Source: USA Today