Handling Election Anxiety

This election is going to be a nail-biter, and there’s a lot at stake. As the ads will tell you, the environment, the pandemic response, and human dignity and rights are on the ballot. And on top of being anxious about the results, we have a president who is already hinting that he won’t accept those results and whose actions and words encourage voter suppression and intimidation.

It’s a lot. And if you’ve already done your part and voted, it may be worth thinking about how you’re going to make mental space for yourself to get away from the news cycle.

Here are my strategies for coping with election anxiety.

1. Remember how much I’ve done to encourage a positive outcome in this election, and that I am not alone in working hard to turn out the vote. We have set things in motion, and now, for many of us, it’s time to take a deep breath and wait. (Last minute phone-bankers or election day volunteers, thank you!)
2. Limit news and social media consumption. Scrolling through the news or sitting in front of the television all day on Tuesday will not get me information any sooner. I can catch up on the headlines from the day when polls close. Reading people’s posts on election day will likely either snowball my own anxiety or incite negative emotions – perhaps best to shut that off or limit it to a five minute catch-up period, too.
3. Have realistic expectations for when I might know the results from each state and the overall election. I am setting my sights on watching Floriday on Tuesday night and perhaps some of the important Senate races that might also be called, and I’m prepared to not know about Pennyslvania. This article from FiveThirtyEight breaks down when results will come in and whether early or late results are likely to favor a particular party: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/election-results-timing/
4. Have an election night watch plan. We have snacks planned, we have drinks planned, we have a comforting paella recipe on lock, and we even have a strategy for moderating alcohol with seltzer water and meyer lemon slices in between the light starting cocktail and the rioja we’re opening to go with dinner. We also have a mini bottle of champagne to open if Florida is called in Biden’s favor, because with the election results taking longer due to the pandemic and mail in voting laws in many states it’s going to be helpful to celebrate milestones and think of this as an election journey not a night.
5. Live in the moment. Work out, go for a walk, read a book, do a craft with your kids. Remember that mentally cataloging all the fears and possibilities of an uncertain future is not helpful. It’s not irresponsible to seek out distractions. I am not uniformed or uninvolved if I walk away and catch up later. I am not the leader of the free world, I’m a parent. Hugs and hot chocolate and focusing on that job can be a great outlet for reducing election day stress.

Stay well and be kind out there!

Still need some more help? Try the NY Times “Election Distractor”