Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
3 Proven Ways to Beat Election Anxiety
(upbeat music) - Welcome to Quick News. This is Ted. The news was published on Friday, November 1st. With me today are Eric and Kate. We're diving into a hefty topic, election-related anxiety and how to manage it. Today's discussion focuses on election-related anxiety and how to manage it. Can you both share your understanding of what election anxiety is and its key impacts? Sure thing, Ted. Election anxiety is like this natural stress response due to the high stakes of political outcomes. People are seriously freaking out with around 69% of American adults stressing about the upcoming election. It's all this uncertainty and the polarized political climate that's doing it. - I totally agree with that, Eric. But you know what? It's more than just uncertainty. There's this real fear of potential negative outcomes. Folks are glued to their screens obsessing over every bit of news, which just ramps up their stress to unbearable levels. - The article mentions mindfulness and non-judgmental awareness as key strategies. Can you explain these terms in more detail? - Yeah, mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. It's about grounding yourself in the here and now instead of getting swept into those wild hypothetical fears, think of it like paying attention to simple things, the feel of your feet on the floor, the rhythm of your breath, stuff like that. - And non-judgmental awareness, oh boy, that's crucial too. It's about not beating yourself up for feeling stressed. Acknowledge the anxiety without judging yourself. Really, it's about self-compassion. Remind yourself it's totally okay to feel this way when the stakes are so high. - Cognitive flexibility is another strategy mentioned. How does it help in managing election anxiety? - Cognitive flexibility is like moving away from that worst case scenario trap. Instead of obsessing over how awful everything might be, you think about how you'll cope with whatever comes. It makes folks feel more in control when they can picture handling any situation. - Exactly, and it's not just about feeling in control. It's also about preparing yourself to act. Like if the candidate you dread wins, you can plan on donating to causes or attending process. - The article also talks about intentional actions. What does this mean in the context of managing anxiety? - Intentional actions mean being aware of how what you do impacts your anxiety. Like limit exposure to 24-hour news that just amps up the stress. Instead do self-care acts like taking walks or spending time with loved ones. - And remember, taking breaks doesn't mean you don't care. Sometimes disconnecting can actually give you more energy to contribute to causes you believe in. It's about balancing activism with personal well-being. - Let's compare this situation with a similar historic event. Can you think of a past election or political event where anxiety levels were similar? - The 2016 presidential election pops into my head right away. Back then the nation was deeply divided too, and people had a ton of stress and anxiety about the political outcome just like now. - Right, the 2016 election was super contentious. There was a crazy amount of misinformation and media overload. Folks really felt a sense of impending doom due to possibly big changes in policy. - How did people cope with election anxiety during that time? - Community support was a big one. Being able to talk with like-minded people and get involved in local actions helped many manage their anxiety. - Totally. Plus social media became a go-to platform. People could share their concerns and find solidarity, though it also contributed to information- - Lessons can we learn from the 2016 election in terms of managing current election anxiety? - One key lesson is to limit media consumption. Being selective about where you get your information and taking breaks from the 24-hour news cycle can help reduce stress levels a lot. - And focus on proactive measures. Instead of just worrying, plan actions, whether it's volunteering or advocating for your causes, turning anxiety into constructive activities helps. - Are there any specific mindfulness or cognitive strategies from 2016 that are still relevant today? - Oh, definitely mindfulness. Staying in the present moment prevents people from getting sucked into those anxiety spirals about the uncertain future. - And cognitive flexibility. Being ready for whatever outcome and focusing on actionable steps remains essential. It's about feeling empowered no matter what happens. - Let's look at how things might unfold post-election. What are two distinct ways this situation could play out? - One scenario is that the election results lead to more polarization and unrest. If people aren't prepared to handle the anxiety constructively, it could mean more societal division and stress. - On the flip side, it could spark a wave of civic engagement and activism. If folks channel their anxiety into positive actions, we could see stronger community bonds and impactful civic participation. - How can individuals prepare for these different outcomes? - Embracing mindfulness and cognitive flexibility are key, staying grounded in the present and planning actionable steps help manage anxiety and build resilience for whatever comes post-election. - And building supportive networks is vital. Engaging with your community, participating in dialogues and staying connected with like-minded individuals provide essential emotional support and strength. - What role do you think media will play in shaping these outcomes? - Media's role is huge. Responsible and balanced reporting can help reduce anxiety while sensationalism and bias can ramp up stress and division. - Media literacy is critical. People need to critically analyze their news sources and avoid echo chambers. Encouraging open-mindedness and diversity of thought can greatly mitigate anxiety. - Finally, what actions can institutions take to support citizens in managing election anxiety? - Institutions can offer mental health resources and promote awareness about anxiety management strategies. Schools, workplaces and community centers can play a key role in spreading this. - Governments and nonprofits can invest in mental wellbeing and civic engagement programs. Creating safe spaces for dialogue and proactive action is crucial. - Thank you both for your insights. These discussions are crucial as we navigate these challenging times.