11 Ways To Maintain Mental Health During Election Season

Every four years, many Americans find emotional well-being a challenge. How can you maintain your mental health during election season?

Aunt Bertha proclaims, “I just don’t see how anyone could vote (insert political party) and still be a good person!” It’s then that you shrink into the sofa cushions, knowing that if she knew your preferred candidate, she’d probably start praying for your soul.

Election season is fraught with mental health challenges. From family reunions to dating, from social media flame wars to ballot anxiety, this is a time that tries people’s souls. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your mental health and relationships.

11 Ways to Maintain Mental Health During Election Season

Limit your news intake. These days, people feel bombarded by the 24/7 news cycle. To decrease media-related anxiety, limit your news intake. This could mean reducing the amount of time you spend consuming news content. Or it might mean controlling the type of news you ingest. For example, if you’re disturbed by videos you watch, consider restricting your news to articles you read and radio broadcasts.

Expand your news sources. Most media outlets tend to lean to the left or to the right. And most people are inclined to get their news from sources that favor their particular political leanings. This leads to confirmation bias. It also contributes to polarization of opinions, where constant reinforcement of one’s opinion causes people to shy away from those who differ from them. By expanding your news sources to include those on the left, right, and center, you become more balanced in your perspective.

Expand your social circle. This is related to the last point. When you expand your social circle to include friendships on the left, right, and center, you become more balanced. Take the time to listen carefully to the opinions of others. Not only will your opinions become more balanced, but your empathy skills will grow as well.

Limit your screen time. Many people like to wrap up their day by scrolling on their phones, reading on their tablets, or watching TV. Studies show that looking at a screen’s bright light just before bed inhibits healthy sleep. This affects your resilience, mood, and overall function throughout the day. Consider having a conversation with a family member or playing a game instead. If you want to read, choose an e-reader, which emits less light. Or choose an old-fashioned book. Now that’s a novel concept!

Set healthy relationship boundaries. Tell Aunt Bertha, “I love you, and I disagree. If we can’t talk about it in a polite way, I’m not going to continue the conversation.” If she persists with judgment and rudeness, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from Aunt Bertha for a while.

Get proper nutrition, rest, and exercise. There’s a link between physical health and mental health. Too often, we ignore the warning signs our bodies give us—warnings like excess weight, trouble sleeping, aches and pains, and more. We neglect to care for our medical needs, resulting in emotional pain and energetic deficiencies. Take care of your body, and your body will help care for your mind.

Set sine qua non expectations for new relationships. This Latin expression (because I had to be nerdy) means “without which not.” I had a professor who gave sine qua non terms we had to know, without which we would not pass our exam. If you are dating, church-shopping, or joining a community group, set sine qua non expectations for these new relationships. One person I know met their spouse on a dating app. On their profile, it said, “Must be a Democrat.” If this kind of thing is important to you, set those expectations, and live by them.

Know your political capacity. Jim, Pam, Dwight, or others in the office might obsess over political conversation, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep up. Your best friend may campaign for her favorite candidate, but you don’t need to volunteer with her at the polls. Some people are built for intense political discourse, and others are not. However you are built, that’s okay. You don’t need to be as political or as apolitical as the others in your life.

Vote with confidence. Ballot anxiety is real. While it’s important to vote, your mental health is important as well. Consider taking a support person with you. If you need someone to literally hold your hand, ask a friend. Go to the polls early to avoid the crowds. Or vote by mail if that’s easier for you. If you do vote by mail, you might ask a friend who shares your values to check the ballot for mistakes before you mail it off. Your vote is your business, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Talk with a therapist. Election season is a difficult time for lots of people. If it’s creating undue stress and anxiety for you, there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Therapists will tell you that tons of clients deal with election anxiety. Counselors have listening ears to hear what you’d like to get off your chest. And they have techniques to help you deal with the pressure.

Let go and let God. Now, I’m not saying that God determines the outcome of any election. We decide which candidate wins when we exercise our voting responsibilities. But once you’ve cast your ballot, you’ve done your part. Now, you can let God give you peace that you’ve participated in the process. You can let God give you strength for whatever the outcome. Let God show you how to pray for the winner as they begin to govern. And let God fill your heart with grace for the loser and for their supporters, so you can begin to repair whatever damage election season has caused.

Take Control of Your Mental Health

During election season, fear and anxiety can overwhelm your emotions. A cynical writer would say that media outlets want it that way. Fearful news consumers produce more clicks and higher ratings. But you can take control of your mental health during election season. Yes, elections are important events with significant consequences. But don’t worry. You’ve got this. And God’s got you as you go through it.