Five Therapists Share Tips for Managing Election Day Stress and Anxiety

As the United States presidential election approaches, anxiety levels among Americans are rising. According to a new poll by the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of Americans report feeling stressed about the election, while 77% express concern about the future of the country.

Candidates and their campaign teams are heavily promoting their messages on social media, television, text messages, and with posters everywhere, making it difficult for people to escape election-related thoughts. Mental health professionals are not immune, but they have unique coping strategies.

Here are five therapists, including four psychologists and one psychiatrist, sharing their tips for managing election day stress and anxiety.

Gallagher: Differentiating Between Controllable and Uncontrollable Factors

Thea Gallagher, a clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and a psychology Ph.D., says she has felt exhausted by past election cycles, and this year is no exception. She worries about how people will react to the election results.

On election day, Gallagher asks herself, "What can I control, and what can't I control?" She plans to spend time with her children and patients and work throughout the day. If she feels an emotional outbreak, she will give herself some extra time in advance.

Gallagher anticipates a period of uncertainty following the election results. She plans to watch the news on Tuesday night but will stop before her usual bedtime. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing other responsibilities in life, including parenting, relationships, and work, and maintaining a healthy boundary between the news cycle and personal life.

Ammon: Avoiding Speculation and Predictions

Dr. Hillary Ammon, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, says she has previously glued her eyes to the TV waiting for election results, feeling anxious throughout the day. Now, she has decided to reduce her focus on speculation and predictions.

Ammon plans to avoid social media and news before polling closes. She believes that news channels often feature only speculation before the election, which can exacerbate anxiety and may ultimately be inaccurate. Even after polling closes, she will only follow one news source and continue to stay away from social media.

Ammon prefers engaging in meaningful activities to alleviate anxiety, such as walking, watching a comforting TV show, or spending time with family. She sticks to her usual bedtime to reduce nighttime anxiety.

Meyer: Coping by Helping Others

Dr. John Meyer, a Chicago-based clinical psychologist and author, expresses concern and worry about the upcoming election but is preparing for election day.

Meyer considers things in a broader context, recognizing that there have been intense and controversial moments during previous elections, but they have survived and even succeeded. He talks to people from both parties to better understand the overall political situation.

On election day, Meyer plans to stay focused on work. He says his therapy schedule is full from early Tuesday morning until 1 AM, so he will cope by helping others.

Metzl: Connecting with Others

Dr. Jonathan Metzl, a professor of medicine, sociology, and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, says he feels stressed, exhausted, and anxious on the eve of the election. He believes that new crisis stories and developments emerge daily, increasing people's anxiety.

Metzl plans to focus on work on election day, interact with students, and discuss the potential impact of the election results. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with others, highlighting that people are not alone. He finds interacting with others and processing emotions helpful in alleviating his own anxiety.

Zuckerman: Engaging in Election-Unrelated Activities

Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania, expresses concern about potential violence following the election. She believes intense emotions, particularly anger and frustration, have led to significant divisions.

Zuckerman plans to stay busy on election day by engaging in election-unrelated activities, such as work, walking, cleaning her room, and playing tennis. She has set rules for herself regarding election day information, choosing two reliable news sources to follow and consciously checking them only a few times a day - once in the morning and once in the evening.

Zuckerman says she wants to focus on what she can control, which is engaging in activities and behaviors she enjoys and values.