The Presidential Elections in the United States take place every 4 years. For the last year or so, many Americans have been inundated with stories about the candidates, their campaigns, their campaign's finances, the candidates' platforms, and even insignificant details such as their perception of McDonalds.
Thankfully, we are less than two weeks away from Election Day, which means election season anxiety will soon be over.
Many people in my personal and professional circles are struggling to navigate this challenging time. There is a lot of uncertainty, which is scary. Support groups have formed to navigate election anxiety, many mental health professionals are taking the day off on Nov. 6 to protect their own mental health, and people across the country are trying to figure out how to co-exist with loved ones who have differing political opinions. Tensions are running high, especially now. It is imperative to address what is OK and what is not OK as we move towards the end of this Presidential election cycle.
DO:
VOTE
Focus on what you can and cannot control
Practice self-care, such as limiting the amount of news exposure you engage with daily
Intentionally interact with people who have different political views from your own; get out of your bubble to better understand everyone in your community, not just the people who share your beliefs
Utilize reflective listening when speaking with others, particularly about sensitive subject matters (such as politics)
Maintain respect at all times
Set boundaries around your values. It is possible to engage in healthy dialogues without compromising who you are and what you believe in
Fact check! There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation out there...
DO NOT:
Insult, verbally abuse, yell, curse at, mock or exhibit aggressive body language
Trust everything you read or write; it is important to form your own opinions based on knowledge you obtain from credible sources
Automatically vote for the candidate who represents your preferred political party; it is important to put in significant effort to make an informed decision
Alienate loved ones who have different opinions from yourself
Move out of the country after Nov. 6; stay and continue to VOTE!
Most importantly, GO VOTE!
It is not too late to register if you have not done so already. Your voice matters. Take action. Stand up for what you believe in.
“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.” – Sharon Salzberg
“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.” – John Lewis
If you are experiencing election stress and are looking for more tips on managing anxious feelings about politics, check out this article from Jedfoundation.org. I am available to support you through this difficult time! Contact me for more information.
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