Managing your wellness during an election year

According to recent research, current events, including election results, can impact health outcomes. Specifically, stress is linked to cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, aggression, and substance abuse. The outcomes associated with stress are worsened when events are uncontrollable, like politics may feel to some, leaving you feeling hopeless and unable to cope with adversity.  

What can you do to try and manage election-related stress and anxiety?   

1) Get moving – You've read it before, but exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. We know finding the time or motivation isn't always easy, but every little bit counts! Take a few minutes to dance to your favorite song, walk during your lunch break, or perform a few bodyweight exercises while cooking dinner.  

2) Care about what is happening, but with boundaries – It is important to be emotionally invested in your local, national, and global communities, but don't let stressful news cycles take over your life. It is ok to tell yourself and others that there is a time and place to discuss politics. Ask yourself what your goal is for any individual political conversation. Is the time you're spending talking about it an efficient use of your energy? Are your expectations for the conversation realistic?   

3) Think about how you consume the news - Carve out opportunities to disconnect from the media, particularly if you become distraught, anxious, or emotionally reactive. Set a dedicated time once per day to check the news and set a timer to keep yourself accountable. When you're reading the news, ask yourself if the article is helpful and if it is reliable. If the answer to either is no, shift to another activity.   

4) Focus on what you can control – Take time to reevaluate your self-care. What areas might need your time and attention? A great place to start is by engaging in this self-care wheel activity.   

5) Celebrate the good – Negative news can make us feel helpless or like the problems we are reading about are too big to solve. Positive news can be uplifting, lighthearted, and constructive (i.e., deeply reported with a solutions-based angle). These news stories can spark moments of joy, increase optimism, and build resiliency. You can also work to celebrate small moments of joy in your own life.   

6) Talk with a professional – If you feel like your stress is becoming too difficult to manage during an election year, our counselors are here to help.