Election Stress - A Letter

About a week after elections have concluded, I’m hearing from many that they are worried. People are sharing concerns for the future and processing the possible outcomes of change. Feelings are high, anxiety may be through the roof, and the stress may be affecting many areas of your life. Let’s explore together 5 tools that may help the change feel a little lighter.

1. Increase Self Care

With a sense of unknowns, anxiety and depression symptoms could be rising. Spending some extra time taking care of you could help reduce the symptoms and reduce the tension to a more manageable level. Whether your self care includes exercise, deep breathing, muscle relaxation, sleep, etc. the goal is to help refuel your tank.

2. Surround Yourself With Joy

To many, politics feels full of hate. People may be arguing versus having discussions. There are aspects of hate and fighting in all forms of media. While the political unrest appears to continue post election, we can try to focus on love. We can surround ourselves with positivity and choose to focus our energy and emotional well-being toward good. If needed, we can mute the negative noise online. As I’ll mention in the “Put It Down” section of this post, the goal is not to ignore. We can have discussions and we can have different views than others. But, if the negativity is affecting your mental health and it no longer feels constructive to the goal at hand, please choose your own joy.

When we can connect with nature and loved ones we're more likely to feel joy.

3. Take It Small

​Election time is all about macro changes. Nationwide change and worldwide effects on what our nation decides. Choosing to focus on the opposite can be helpful. Asking yourself what you can choose for yourself, your household, your neighborhood, your city, etc. For sizing purposes, I recommend taking it to your state only on the largest scale. You may want to focus on micro changes within your control. What are you opting to do? Who do you feel aligned with? What can you do to prepare for change? How can you support your joy and the joy of those around you?

4. Make It Big

Take this information and focus on changes within your control. Make it your own and highlight your own choice in the action. Remember that even “small” steps can have a huge impact. Get involved in ways that feel good to you. Make it your joy and your choice.

5. Put It Down

​We don’t want to avoid concerns or change but we can try to find balance in it. If you notice a feeling of being overwhelmed or a change in demeanor, it might be a sign to take a break and focus your emotional time and energy toward something else. This could be a perfect opportunity to utilize one of the aforementioned self care techniques. Whatever you decide to do, do it with mindful intention. With the acknowledgment that you’ve decided to set it down and will be back to it later. If election stress returns, acknowledge it and try to redirect your mind. If merely changing the thoughts alone is not enough, try keeping your hands busy. Examples may include organizing a drawer, gardening, playing a game, video gaming, etc.  The goal is not abstinence or perfection but rather finding a healthy balance that works for you

Emotional balance can be tricky. We want to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed.

Election stress can feel all consuming. You’re aching right now and your feelings are valid. There is a lot going on at the moment and the change can feel overwhelming. You are seen. You are loved. You are valid. As you continue to process and determine your next step, I hope these tools can help you feel just a little bit lighter.

Stay well,

Author

Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years and is passionate to share mental health wellness strategies.