Nov 6, 2024
Election day is over, and the polls are being counted. Although we probably won’t know the results of this 2024 election until later in the week, barring any recounts, tensions are already high. As results begin to roll in, you might experience a full breadth of emotions: anger, hopelessness, exhaustion, sadness, and anxiety, just to name a few.
In a poll by the American Psychological Association (APA) earlier this October, 77% of interviewed adults said that the future of America is a significant source of stress. 69% said this election was a significant source of stress, and 56% believed the 2024 presidential election could be the end of democracy in the U.S.
Those are some high stakes! Emotions will be tense through the rest of the year regardless of who wins this election. Amidst all this chaos, what can you do to stay grounded? What do you do if your candidate didn’t win? What do you do if they did?
Here are six tips to help you manage the storm of emotions this election season.
Let yourself feel your emotions.
These election results will be emotional, no matter who you voted for. In addition to the results, you’ll have the news, social media, and your friends and family’s opinions to contend with. The election is a nationwide event, and everyone has thoughts and opinions. With all this chaos, it can feel impossible or selfish to let yourself feel your own emotions.
Pushing down or denying your emotions will only cause long-term mental health problems. Instead, let yourself sit with them for a little. What are you feeling? Where do you feel it? Let the emotions run through you. It won’t be the last time you feel them, but every time those angry, sad, hopeless, or anxious feelings emerge, acknowledge them and give them their space.
Focus on what you can control, and stay involved.
If you’re politically active, don’t let that stop now. Although the president is a powerful position, the United States government has checks and balances to ensure power doesn’t rest in the president’s hands alone. The House, Senate, judges, and local government officials all have a role in defining the legislature for the next four years, and you, as a citizen, have the role of voicing your beliefs to them.
This means it is still important to canvas, vote, lobby, petition, and be politically active in your community. Focus on what you can control by targeting bills you want to be passed, local elections you want to go a certain way, or letting your state representatives know what is important to you.
Take care of yourself.
Our physical and mental health are closely intertwined. When our mental health struggles, so does our physical. For example, if you have election anxiety, you might also have trouble falling asleep. Lack of sleep in turn exacerbates anxiety symptoms.
It’s important to take care of yourself as election results start to roll in. This could look like getting a full night’s sleep, exercising daily, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of water.
Be in community.
Whether you’re celebrating or mourning, do it with others in your community. With emotions running high, it may be tempting to withdraw or turn your energy against others. Neither blaming nor boasting will change the election outcome or how others feel about it, though, and your energy is better spent uplifting others in your community and letting yourself be strengthened by them.
Stay off social media and the news.
As the election results come in, so will waves of news and social media posts. As much as we might want to think differently, none of these posts will matter; news articles and social media reels will not change the course of the election or other people’s political opinions. If scrolling the news or social media makes you feel enraged, hopeless, or anxious, turn off your device and do something else for a while. The news will still be there when you get back.
Staying informed is important, but doom scrolling or “hate scrolling” (scrolling social media with the intent of making yourself angry) is not conducive to your political beliefs or mental health.
Ask for help.
This election is one of the most tense in history. Regardless if you’re happy with the outcome or not, you’re likely feeling some level of hopelessness, exhaustion, anger, and sadness. You might also have higher levels of anxiety and depression, or turn to substances to help you cope.
If your mental health is struggling because of this election, know there is help out there. In addition to 24-hour crisis hotlines, special election hotlines have been set up to help you deal with the thoughts and feelings directly related to the election. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Crisis hotlines are available for people across the political spectrum. They will not try to push their beliefs on you or ask for your political affiliation if you don’t want to give it.
If this election has brought with it thoughts of suicide, a suicide hotline can help. If you or someone you know is in immediate harm, call 911 right away.
Mental Health Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Text Line: For “ELECTION” to 741741
National Suicide Hotline: Call or text 988
Trevor Project Hotline: Text START to 678-678
U.S Vets Hotline: Dial 988 then press 1, or chat online on their website
If you want to talk to a therapist about how you experience this election cycle, contact Lifebulb Counseling & Therapy. We have online therapists with no wait times and who accept most major insurance plans. If political affiliation is important to you, let us know and we’ll make sure you’re matched with a therapist you’re comfortable with.
