Dealing with Election Day Anxiety

November 5, 2024
ALEXANDER

Dealing with Election Day Anxiety

Well, after a long time coming, Election Day is finally here. While the LGBTQ community has a lot on the line this election, many of us have Election Day anxiety. Most of us remember the day when it came down to Hillary and Trump, and the look on many of our faces as it became clear she wasn't going to win. It's hard to believe that we are back to the same Presidential candidate after all that has transpired. Some of us are fearful and our day is just a ball of nerves until we can tell who is going to come out on top. We wanted to share some tips to handle the anxiety that might come along with today. According to the American Psychological Association, a whopping 69% of US voters have reported that this year's election is a major source of stress.

Enjoy the Little Things Today

Feeling anxious? Take moments out of the day and enjoy the little things. Want a candy bar? Want to listen to your favorite song on repeat? Want to order that extra slice of pizza? Want to cuddle with your dog? Want to watch that terrible reality show? Do it. Create little escapes for yourself where you can take your mind off of Election Day and remind yourself that you can still enjoy life.

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Exercise

Medical experts suggest adding a little exercise and exertion to your day to break up your anxiety. These don't need to be full-on gym visits but can be little bursts of energy here and there. Sprint down the street. Do some pushups. Exert yourself and get your blood flowing, feel those endorphins. It will help with your mood and feelings of being anxious. Even just stretching can give you a burst of energy and calm you down.

Meditation and Breathing

Even five minutes of meditation can relieve a big chunk of your Election Day anxiety. There are plenty of free meditations on YouTube and there are tons of apps for helping you through a small or lengthy meditation session. Not one for guided meditations? Simply sit in your chair and breathe in for five counts, hold your breath for five counts, and breathe out for five counts. Do this until you feel your anxiety decrease.

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Background Noise

Depending on what your day job is, having some background noise can help with overall stress. Light classical music, ocean waves, rain sounds, or easy listening can subconsciously take your mind off of Election Day and create a welcoming environment where you can focus on other things.

Stop Reading the Headlines

Checking the TV or refreshing your news website every five minutes isn't going to solve anything. You will just add to your anxiety. Nothing is going to be determined by the earliest tonight. So checking in all day and getting false predictions isn't going to help anyone.