Political anxiety
Election / Political Anxiety
(Laura’s thoughts)
If you don’t follow politics the article is still relatable. It includes links to other related topics like using activism as self care. Also just a reminder this will be a jump off point for our Meetup but we don’t have to focus on it.
I’ve been feeling really anxious about the upcoming election. It’s gotten to a point where I’m losing sleep, nauseous, and have more headaches. I’ve been spending WAY too much time reading the news and doomscrolling. The news highlights big issues beyond our control, which can make us feel even more helpless.
I tried joining a campaign thinking it might help. I spent 6 days canvassing, knocking on doors, and talking to strangers. My leg/hip was definitely not ready to walk around so much; It got super sore and my knee/hip cramped up which led to me spending an entire day in bed. I feel guilty for quitting the canvas job early because I verbally committed to working it until the 5th. I also feel guilty because I’ve become so invested and informed about the election in the U.S. but I haven’t been reading about the war in Gaza.
Things I’m going to work on this week: no doom scrolling in bed, less news reading in general, respond to my emails, eat actual meals instead of ice cream, focus on things I can do, not massive what-ifs. Which reminds me, ITS OPEN ENROLLMENT for ACA health insurance. Please respond to this email if you want help getting signed up.
Positive things I am doing: writing in my prompt journal daily and I made a plan to hang out with a friend Tuesday and told them I want help staying off my phone. I also made colorful anxiety art.
“Election Stress: Tips to Manage Anxious Feelings About Politics”
-By By Lauren Krouse for jedfoundation.org
(Edited / shortened for our reading)
If you’re grappling with election stress, you are not alone. A national survey suggests that more than 60% of registered voters in the U.S. say politics are a significant source of stress, and some even say they’ve lost sleep over it. Over 25% of voters also say politics have sparked conflict among their family and friends.
Your political anxiety likely has to do with a lot more than Election Day itself. It’s about the news headlines and social media posts about the increased cost of living, climate change, and gun violence. It’s the decreased protections for LGBTQIA+ youth, youth of color, and other marginalized groups in the U.S. It’s the uncertainty you’re likely feeling after the pandemic gave way to increased loneliness and mental health challenges.
Political stress, political anxiety, or even anger you may feel over politics can be hard to cope with, but you don’t have to carry it alone. With a few strategies and some support, you can begin to feel better, regain a sense of agency, and channel your energy into taking care of yourself and — if it feels right for you — taking action.
Use these tips to navigate election stress and safeguard your mental health during election season and beyond.
Expect the Need for More Self-Care
Take a moment to identify your biggest sources of political stress. Maybe it’s tough family conversations, concerns about legislation, the fear of the candidate you dislike becoming president, or all of the above.
Recognize when this stress is set off: Does it bubble up when you have difficult conversations, scroll through TikTok, or watch the news? Reflect on the triggers and come up with specific self-care activities that can help you manage the stress. For example, suppose election content on social media is the most stressful to you. You may follow up with a self-care activity such as reading or FaceTiming a friend, and setting social media boundaries, such as unfollowing overly negative accounts or setting screentime limits.
Take Space From Your Negative Emotions
An effective way to cope with negative feelings about the election is to acknowledge them, process them, and set them aside — but it takes practice.
Here’s one way to do it: When you feel carried away by anxiety or dread, take a moment to fully accept your feelings. You might say out loud, “I am feeling the anxiety, and letting it go.” You could also take a few minutes to write about how you’re feeling, and then direct your attention to something neutral, such as focusing on your breath or going on a walk.
Practice Mindfulness
Election stress has a way of pulling your attention into the future. When you find yourself worrying over events you can’t control or predict, use mindfulness to bring your awareness to the present. Engage your senses to ground yourself in the here and now. Ask yourself what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel to recenter your focus.
Take Screen Breaks
Using distractions such as funny videos or social media to cope with election stress is common and OK in moderation, but it provides only short-term relief. Instead, disengage from stressors by creating phone-free periods or using apps to limit screen time. Feel empowered to start small. Try scheduling a midday walk without your phone, stepping away when your phone is on the charger, or doing a phone-free workout. You could also spend time in nature, going for a hike or playing with a pet.
Take Action to Feel Better This Election Season
One of the biggest sources of election stress is the feeling that you cannot control so many things — how your loved ones vote, whether your candidate wins, which laws get passed. Taking action can help you feel better.
Register to vote if you are eligible, and make an Election Day plan to get to the polls.
Volunteer with an organization you care about or choose a cause to organize around.
Learn More About Coping With Political Anxiety
Tips for Stressful Election Conversations
When Everything Feels Hostile: 6 Ways to Cope
How to Use Activism as Self-Care
How to Help a Friend or Loved One With Anxiety
Thought/ Journal Topics:
What have you done to take care of yourself recently?
Would you rather avoid a political conversation or approach it with curiosity? Why?
What actions could you take to reduce your anxiety?
Is social media and/or the news making you feel better or worse?
Most of us love friends or family that have very different views from us. How can we navigate challenging situations with them?
If you’re not feeling anxious about the war or politics how could you use your energy to support someone who is struggling?
