7 Mental Health Tips for Staying Grounded During Election Season
We don’t know about you, but we’re stressed about this election. And that’s completely normal but doesn’t mean we should let our mental health slip in order to stay involved.
Navigating the stress of a presidential election season can be challenging, especially during such a polarizing time. Whether you’re already swimming in “election anxiety” or just want to stay on top of your mental health, we have some tips.
Limit News Exposure
Yes, it’s important to stay on top of the news, but don’t get carried away. To manage stress during the election season, it’s crucial to limit your news exposure. You can’t inundate yourself with news or you’ll lose your mind.
Set specific times each day to check the news, ensuring that you avoid doing so right before bed to prevent anxiety that makes it hard to sleep.
Consider using news aggregators to filter relevant information and set a daily time limit for news consumption to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, with Apple Focuses, you can mute notifications from certain people or apps.
By controlling when and how you engage with news, you can maintain a sense of balance and prevent the constant barrage of information from affecting your mental well-being.
Unplug from Social Media
Unfortunately, turning off the news or stopping CNN notifications isn’t always enough. Social media is a hotbed for political discussions (usually arguments) during elections. This can amplify stress when differing opinions are prevalent, which they almost always are.
Take intentional breaks from social media to clear your thoughts and prevent screen burnout. Use this time for some of the self-care activities we’ve discussed, like soothing hobbies or mindfulness practices.
By unplugging from social media, you create space for reflection and reduce the constant noise of political discourse. This practice helps you maintain a balanced perspective and healthy mental state as things get nasty online.
Make Mindfulness Part of Your Routine
We know this is the answer people give for literally any problem, but what can we say? Mindfulness is a powerful tool for staying grounded during stressful times.
Engage in mindfulness or relaxation techniques to center your thoughts and emotions. This can include deep breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, a quiet nature walk, or simply taking a moment to reflect on your feelings.
Mindfulness practices help you stay present and reduce anxiety by focusing on the here and now. During elections, we often feel like so many things are out of our control, so this can help us regain some power.
Regular mindfulness practices can enhance your emotional strength and confidence, allowing you to navigate the election season with a calmer and more balanced mindset. But we recommend taking your mindful habits beyond election season too.
Engage in Healthy Distractions
When the political anxiety creeps up, focus on hobbies or interests that bring you joy, such as reading, knitting, video gaming, cooking, baking, gardening, or exercising. These activities can help shift your focus away from political stressors and provide a mental break.
Engaging in activities you love not only boosts your mood but also helps you maintain a sense of normalcy and control.
Maybe you can’t single-handedly choose the next leader of the free world, but you can control how many chocolate chips you put in your cookies. And we give you permission to load those babies up with a ridiculous amount of chocolate — you’ve earned it.
Finding healthy distractions can be an effective way to manage stress during the election season. By dedicating time to these pursuits, you create a buffer against the anxiety that can arise from constant political discussions. You’re not burying your head in your sand, you’re just taking a break.
Set Boundaries in Conversations
Setting boundaries in political conversations is essential for maintaining mental wellness. We know this one isn’t easy. It can be awkward and uncomfortable, and even create a hostile situation.
When discussing politics with friends or family, express your boundaries clearly and respectfully. Boundaries can look like politely refusing to share your opinion, asking people not to share or include you in political social media posts, or asking people to only bring up politics if they can be calm and respectful in conversation.
Step Back or Redirect
If any political discussions cause distress, decline to engage at all or redirect the conversation to a neutral topic. It’s important to prioritize your mental health by recognizing when a conversation becomes too heated or intense.
By setting these boundaries, you protect your emotional well-being and foster healthier relationships, even with those who hold differing views. And if those people can’t or won’t respect your boundaries, it’s okay to walk away.
Acknowledge Your Emotions
Acknowledging your emotions can help you process them, and during an election as polarizing and serious as this one, you likely have a fountain of emotions inside you. Recognize and name your feelings, whether they are excitement, frustration, or anger.
By being aware of your emotions, you can develop effective coping strategies and make informed decisions about how to engage with political content. Embracing your emotions as valid and normal allows you to process them in a healthy way, fostering emotional resilience.
Engage In Mindful Activities
For example, if you recognize you’re overwhelmed, you can step away from the news and do something mindful. If you recognize you’re angry or sad, this might be a good opportunity to journal.
This practice is especially important when engaging in uncomfortable or provocative political conversations. It can help you keep your cool if someone begins to aggressively share their views or bash yours.
Seek Support
In the end, this political turmoil may be too much for you to handle by yourself, and that’s okay. You are far from the only person who feels like they need a little extra support during such a tumultuous time.
If political anxiety significantly impacts your mental health, consider seeking professional support, personal support, or online support. Finding support outside of yourself can help you navigate complex emotions and feel seen and heard.
Speak With A Therapist
Talking to a therapist or counselor can provide valuable coping strategies and a safe space to vent. You can also talk to friends or family members who you know share your views and anxieties concerning the election. Support groups or online communities can also offer a sense of shared experience and understanding.
By reaching out for support, you prioritize your mental health and equip yourself with the tools needed to manage election-related stress effectively. And when you do that, you’re better able to participate in the election in meaningful ways.
Know Your Limits, And Respect Them
We explained how important it is to set boundaries during election season — social media boundaries, conversation boundaries, news boundaries. Well, it’s also important to set boundaries with yourself.
Even if you want to be involved in the election and make a difference in the outcome, there’s only so much one impassioned person can do.
Remember, no matter who wins, after the election, you have to go back to your everyday life. So don’t burn yourself out. Take care of yourself, always.
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