Anxious this week? We have some suggestions

Suggestions for how to deal with stress and anxiety as we head into election day

What you probably already know: Feeling anxious? It’s understandable. More than 70% of Americans said they are worried about the future of the country and that is creating stress in their lives. With the presidential election this week, many people are feeling extremely anxious. For some folks, family can be a respite from the polarization, while for many others, it’s a source of stress. About 30% of Americans say they limit time with family because they don’t share the same values, according to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey. So what can you do about it? The APA and others have some helpful suggestions:

Know your limits: Consider choosing times when you’ll check in on the status of the election, rather than tuning in constantly for hours. News organizations have to fill the time while they wait for results, and flashy, scary headlines can do just that. Find something else to watch for a bit, like an old sitcom you love, or the Great British Baking Show, or a nature documentary — something soothing. Read a book, or go for a walk or run.

This isn’t a sprint. It’ll be a multi-day marathon: It’s unlikely we’ll know who won the presidential election on Tuesday night or even Wednesday. Mail-in ballots, which is how more and more Americans are voting these days, take longer to process. It took until the Saturday after election day for Joe Biden to be announced as the winner in 2020 and in 2022, it took eight days to see how control of the House played out. Pace yourself and keep in mind that you’ll almost certainly go to bed Tuesday not knowing who won.

Disagreeing is OK: If you and the people you live with disagree on politics, consider trying to follow the outcome of the election separately or in spaces where you can process your feelings privately. Set some conversation goals ahead of tomorrow night to help you all navigate how you’ll talk about the outcome. Know when to end the conversation and step away. The APA has some good tips if you find yourself in this situation.

Keep the kids in mind: Whether they’re still living with you, are off in school or living their lives, or are not your kids at all, many young people feel strongly about this election. And if they’re very young, they might not fully understand why everyone is so anxious. The APA has a great guide on talking to little kids about current events that’s worth a read if you find yourself with little ones in your life Tuesday evening. For teenagers and young adults, particularly those in college, many schools have events and civic engagement centers to help their campuses deal with conflict as it arises. Young people might also be experiencing even higher anxiety levels than you. Consider checking in to see if they have a plan for the week ahead if conflict does arise on their campus.

Take a deep breath: There are some simple things people can do to reduce anxiety in the moment. As tempting as it is to reach for a glass (or three) of wine, alcohol can actually increase anxiety. If you’re a person who gets solace from spirituality, consider seeking out your spiritual community this week or finding times to meditate if that works for you. Journaling helps a lot of people, as does exercise. The Mayo Clinic has a good five-step process for calming yourself that can be very effective.