Dealing with electoral uncertainty

This election season has been long, unpleasant and anxiety ridden. According to an article I read in the Atlantic magazine, that politics was the leading cause of stress for seven out of 10 adults across party lines. 

In a poll, a the same time, from a mental-health-care company, 79 percent of respondents reported that the presidential election made them feel very anxious. Now that we’re only a few days away from that election it’s only fair to assume that Americans’ anxiety is even higher… 

How can we best deal with this kind of stress depends on each individual, but we should remember to focus on what we can control and on the positive actions we take, like voting and helping candidates we support.

We need to ration the amount of political news we get exposed to. In theory, we should also try to separate the people from their viewpoints. That’s hard, I personally cannot do it, especially when normal looking folks are supporting a serial-liar like Trump. 

Of course, before beginning a discussion or a debate with someone holding an opposite opinion, we might want to think twice. Are we intent on changing their mind and getting them to admit that we’re right? Is it so important that we need to tell them what’s on our mind even if it’s just to maintain our own self respect? 

As always, it helps to acknowledge and validate our fears, anxieties and anger. It can feel scary if we believe our rights might be taken away, our values are being trampled on, or that our chances for a successful future might be damaged. It is always okay to feel angry in the face of what we perceive to be injustice and unfairness.