Sonia Kharbanda

ANXIETY. Many feel anxious about the election because the outcome could impact their lives significantly. However, it is important to remember you can take steps to care for your well-being.

With the Nov. 5 presidential election less than a week away, the fateful day is looming on many Americans’ minds. Whether you’re a voter anticipating your decision or a student watching the news from the sidelines, this time can be stressful for everyone.

The sense of doom and gloom about the nation’s governance is a common feeling. According to a September survey published in Forbes Health, 62% of U.S. adults answered that the election has slightly, moderately or significantly negatively impacted their mental health. Of the emotions felt by the respondents about the election, 46% noted anxiety, 37% mentioned stress and 31% said fear. Furthermore, in a Pew Research Center survey conducted in June and July 2023, 65% of participants reported always or often feeling exhausted when thinking about politics. Comparatively, only 10% of respondents said they always or often feel hopeful.

The Forbes Health survey also noted that common ways to manage election anxiety included avoiding the news and social media, staying away from friends or family with opposing beliefs and engaging in more physical activity. So if being reminded of global conflicts every time you open social media gives you a headache, if talking about politics increases your heart rate, or if you’ve stopped reading the news altogether because the headlines are too worrying–know that you’re not alone.

Understandably, many Americans express anxiety about politics, specifically the election, because the average citizen only plays a small role in the process. This feeling may be heightened for high school students who can’t vote.

Unfortunately, unlike irrational fears or unnecessary worries, the concerns about the election are very real. Reproductive rights, immigration, education, the economy and even democracy are all on the line. Given the extreme rhetoric and polarization between this year’s candidates, coupled with the recent memory of the violent Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, it is not without reason that many Americans are nervous about the election results and public response.

Still, plaguing yourself with endless stress before and on Election Day will not affect the outcome. To ease election anxiety, the American Psychological Association recommends being aware of time spent consuming news, keeping an open mind to people with political differences and participating in mindfulness or meditation.

However, limiting your intake of stress-inducing media can be a slippery slope; psychologists caution that voters should not disengage from politics to the point that they become uninterested in taking action. Brett Ford, associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, urges people to embrace negative and positive emotions as opportunities to increase political engagement.

Find the balance of relaxation and political engagement that works for you. Set time away from consuming election updates and decompress in whatever way feels best–maybe going on a walk, coloring or reading. Connect with people around you and reach out for support if needed. Channel your engagement into creating meaningful action for your community, such as helping to register voters, volunteering or contacting your representatives. Above all, understand that while you have little control over the election’s outcome, you have the power to prioritize your well-being.