The 2024 election season is underway and emotions are running high on both sides. According to the American Psychiatric Organization, 73 percent of adults in the United States are feeling anxious about the election this November.
No doubt, this year’s election has got all of our stress levels running a little higher these days – living through unprecedented times can have that effect on you. Luckily, you can manage your stress levels and still get the most out of this election season. Tap into these four tips to tune out the political noise and tune into your mental health during this year’s election:
Take a break from social media
Social media platforms deliver a plethora of information at your fingertips, for better or worse. The best way to manage the amount of information you take in is by managing your time on social media efficiently. Schedule time during the day to peruse social media and take regular breaks. Logging out of social media regularly can quiet the noise pollution and allow you to seek more balanced information on traditional media.
Speaking of traditional media, radio, television, and newspapers (yes, newspapers!) still exist. Switching over to these media outlets will allow you to receive the election information you want, and easily avoid the negative fluff that you don’t.
If you must use social media – or you just need something to pass the time – pay attention to the content you consume. Social media algorithms are programmed to feed you more of the information you seek. Add in today’s political climate, and you can attract a wealth of beneficial information along with a cesspool of negativity. If you feel yourself getting riled up – in a bad way – or notice yourself drifting toward a negative mood, it might be time to step away from social media for a while.
Engage in local-level politics
Sometimes having a sense of control in a world full of variables makes managing your stress that much easier. Participation in local and state-level politics allows you to make positive changes you can directly benefit from, thus taking away a huge chunk of mental stress the national election may bring.
Here’s local-level politics at work: You’re walking down your local street and notice crumbling sidewalks, trash in the street, and a lack of streetlights lining said street. Petitioning for improvements to your neighborhood and voting for local leaders in or out of office that fit your community values is a great start to participating in and feeling change where you will benefit from it most – in your own backyard.
Find people who share your values
An added benefit to local political participation – getting to know people in your community. Associating with people with like values promotes allyship and positive feelings. Drawing closer to people you share your values with can reduce everyday stress by not only sharing feelings and ideas, but working together to promote positive change in your neighborhood, which in turn promotes positive feelings.
This goes for associating on social media too. Billions of people with many points of view use social media every day – why not associate with those whose ideals align with yours? Even if their values and ideals are slightly off-centered with yours, associating with mature adults who can agree to disagree with certain things can help keep your stress levels low during this election season.
Don’t take the bait
There are forces in this world whose sole responsibility is to rile you up for their own sick entertainment. Don’t fall for it – misery loves company.
Social media platforms are rife with needy individuals who revel in any attention they receive. If that weren’t bad enough, automated bot profiles are doing the same thing. Imagine arguing with a “person” that’s really a software program used to mill for social media engagement!
All of the negativity spewed by people and bots alike is overwhelming and seemingly in overdrive this year, but don’t take the bait. Beware of trigger words and subjects used to elicit your (negative) response.
Also, beware of social media (and real-life) trolls whose sole purpose is to make you upset. A good rule of thumb – check the source before you respond to a crazy comment. If something seems fishy, it probably is – and move on!
It ain’t easy…
This election season won’t be easy – but it doesn’t have to be hard either. Guard your mental and physical health by better managing your election stress this season. Take all of the information at your fingertips in stride, and tap in this election season!
