ELECTION ANXIETY: DO YOU HAVE IT AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

Do you have election anxiety—stress and worry about how a political outcome will affect your life? The election in the US has taken place and millions of people are experiencing a variety of emotions—from hope to despair; from confidence and optimism to worry and fear. Some people become so emotionally identified with their preferred candidate or party that they think their personal self-worth or self-esteem is riding on an election outcome. On our Love University podcast, we went into the community to ask people their thoughts and feelings about the election, and we received a fascinating variety of opinions. Here are three things that can help if you’re experiencing election anxiety:

*Limit your political media consumption. Although it’s good to stay informed, many people go overboard and spend too much time watching the news and feeling anxious about it. To counteract this, set boundaries for how much time you will spend checking political news (1 hour etc.), and take breaks from election coverage. In this way, you will refresh your mind and see things from a different perspective.

*Focus on what you can control. You may feel that election results are a big thing that you can’t control—and you may start feeling helpless about it. The solution is to stay active. Stay informed, volunteer, and have meaningful conversations about policy and issues with people who care about those things. It’s true: The more active you are, the better you will feel.

*Practice mindfulness and relaxation. You can reduce stress and improve your emotional control by focusing on the present moment. Try this exercise: Spend ten to fifteen minutes each day imagining a beautiful scene as you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. For example, if you visualize that you’re on a beach, imagine the sounds you hear (waves crashing), what you see (beautiful blue sky and ocean), what you smell (the smell of coconut oil), and the emotions you feel (peace and relaxation). Do this daily, and you will be more centered, and at peace.

Election time and the period afterward can be stressful in some people’s lives. The good news is that you can maintain peace and relaxation by taking care of your physical and emotional needs. It’s also important to extend loving energy without expectation. Love yourself, others, and a higher nature, and you will be in a much better place.

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