It’s election season. Only a few days away, America will be deciding our next president. No matter who you plan to vote for, given the polarizing climate, chances are it’s a time that’s making you feel incredibly anxious.
As a therapist that specializes in anxiety, I know this time period can be a challenge. Also, many of the more common tips that people provide are not often as comforting as people might want it to be:
- “Don’t worry, you can’t affect the outcome.”
- “Just do what you can and it will ease your anxiety.”
- “Deep down, we’re all good people that want the same things.”
These are not particularly comforting to the many people that are finding themselves extremely anxious about this election. You can tell people these things as much as you want, but that isn’t necessarily going to help you internalize them.
So what CAN you do?
First, of course, is just address anxiety in general. Even in situations where our anxiety can’t be easily eased, there are strategies that we can do to make it more manageable. It’s similar to anxiety about death, for example. Many people fear death, and – unlike spiders, snakes, planes, and other phobias – we can’t ever completely ease those fears because death is inevitable.
But we can provide tips and techniques that can make that anxiety a bit more manageable, and make it possible for you to still move forward with your life.
In addition, as it relates to the specific election:
- Go Outside – “Doom Scrolling,” which is the act of scrolling social media for news and updates that make you feel sad or angry, should be replaced with going on a walk. Outdoor air is immensely calming on one’s nerves. During this time period, many people spend far too much time online or watching the news, and a bit of outdoors time is valuable.
- Do Get Involved – If you can get involved locally, you will feel temporarily better. Sitting and doing nothing can increase anxiety. Helping your preferred candidates or party locally or abroad can help at least give you a task that makes you feel better about your time.
- Have a Plan – No, you don’t have to plan to move to another country or state if your preferred candidates lose, but you should have scheduled activities to do after the election is over so that no matter who wins you can do something that will take your mind off of your worries.
- Create Your Community – Having a sense of community with others is immensely calming, and can help improve your feelings of safety and security in the future. Start creating your community now, reaching out to those that you want to connect with more and launching the social support goals that will help you with election stress 4 years from now, and beyond.
- Talk to Your Family – Whether your family votes differently than you or the same, as long as it’s safe to do so, talk to them about it. Share your fears and your concerns. Explain yourself and your opinions. Let them know what you need from them. This might be a way to ease what you’re feeling the election means for your future.
The election IS mostly out of your control. You can volunteer, but in the end, the election will not be affected by how much you focus on it.
So the key is to find ways to give yourself mental and physical breaks to re-charge, and then create an environment that will help you remain less stressed no matter the results of the election. Knowing that you’re creating the future you want for yourself can help ease the stress of the present.
Looking for Help with Anxiety?
I work with clients with a range of mental health conditions, but anxiety is my specialty, and I’m here to help with any type of anxiety – whether it’s election anxiety or something else. Give me a call today. I have an in person therapy office in Chandler, Arizona, not far from Phoenix, and I can also provide remote therapy across both AZ and California.