Election season can be a stressful time for many. Political ads, phone calls, texts, mailings and endless news reports … everywhere we turn, it seems we’re receiving a message about the upcoming election. Receiving information can be helpful in making an informed decision, but it can also be too much, causing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
As we navigate these final days leading up to Nov. 5, I have a few tips from my experience as a behavioral health counselor to help manage stress and anxiety during this and any election season.
First, nobody knows what the future holds. That statement can sometimes cause alarm or anxiety for some, but when I say it, I mean that spending energy worrying about something that may not happen can be exhausting. During times of high stress, I encourage people to focus on what you can control, such as what you may be eating for lunch or what time you go to bed.
I remember feeling overwhelmed during the last presidential election, but focusing on what I could control — such as my daily routine and the things I looked forward to, and also staying away from scrolling too much on social media — helped me to stay grounded.
While you cannot predict the future or the outcome of the election, you can ease your anxiety with a few tips and ultimately make your voice heard on Election Day with your vote. Consider the following tips to navigate the added stress and noise of election season include.
— Focus your concerns: To channel your focus to issues you care about, consider volunteering in your community, advocating for an issue you support, or joining a local group devoted to something you’re interested in.
— Discuss politics mindfully: When engaging in conversations about politics, respect others whose opinions may differ from yours, and take a moment to better understand differing opinions. Make the conversation about curiosity and friendly debate, not persuasion.
— Reflect and gain perspective: While trying to understand and process your own emotions as well as those of others, write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal or express them through other forms of art or creative outlets.
— Disconnect when needed: If you feel like you are being overwhelmed by too much information and noise, take some time to disconnect from media sites and take a moment to breathe. Perhaps it is a good time to shift to another activity such as reading a book, taking a walk or calling up a friend to help reconnect on another topic to give your brain a brief break.
— Practice self-care: Prioritize self-care activities by ensuring you get some exercise, eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest, hydrate throughout the day, and even try other relaxation techniques.
If you are looking for additional tools to help navigate the election season and beyond, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are tools that can help and resources available.
Just one example of support available is through a program provided by our behavioral health services at WellSpan Philhaven, where patients can receive personalized support for stress, anxiety, sleep and more through digital courses and online tools for individuals. WellSpan’s myStrength program is offered in partnership with Livongo to patients and community members at no cost. Visit myStrength.com today and use the code COMMUNITYSERVICES to get started or call 800-945-4355.
In times of stress, differing opinions can also evoke strong emotional or physical reactions. Everyone’s response is unique, due to personal history, beliefs, outlook, support system, health status and coping strategies.
I would be remiss to not reiterate the power of respecting others and their opinions, even if they differ from your own. Try to be kind, and don’t make assumptions or communicate in a way that can trigger or isolate other people who share different views from your own, especially during these times of potentially high stress.
Remember, while you can’t control the election outcome, you can manage your stress and make your voice heard by voting.
Jessica Grier is director of behavioral health community services at WellSpan Health.
GET HELP
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, contact the following organizations:
— National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
— Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline via TTY at 800-799-4889.
— Lancaster Crisis Intervention, 717-394-2631.
— If you are LGBTQ: thetrevorproject.org/get-help.
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