Limiting media consumption and political conversations can ease election-related stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Election Day is just a few days away and research shows voters are feeling the weight.
An October poll by the American Psychological Association found 69% of adults said the 2024 presidential election is a significant source of stress in their lives.
Boone County resident David White cast his ballot on Friday and said he is concerned about the future that voters are leaving for his children and grandchildren.
"This is an overwhelming period in our nation's history and the importance of learning that every vote matters and this is for our children," White said.
Burrell Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor Gary Lembke said it's easy to get overwhelmed during an election cycle with 24/7 access to information through news and social media.
"I think it's healthy to keep a light pulse on it, just to check it periodically, but also set limits on how much time we want to spend on social media ... along with just watching the local news or the national news," Lembke said.
He recommends putting the phone down or turning the TV off whenever people notice a rise in blood pressure, change in pulse or find their thoughts changing to becoming more emotionally charged or upset. He also said to avoid watching world news before going to bed.
White said all of the opinions shared on media outlets do add to voters' stress.
"Opinions are all what we are holding on to," White said. "When we hear varying opinions being thrown at us constantly, 24 hours a day, it becomes overwhelming and way, way, way too much."
Meanwhile, the APA poll also finds politics are impacting American's relationships.
Half of adults polled said tension around political topics is making them less likely to want to connect with other people, and 32% of adults said politics has caused tension among their family.
Lembke said talking about politics with others can be healthy, but it's also important to be mindful of the conversation. He said people can set time limits on how long people talk about politics and walk away from the conversation when it feels overwhelming.
"It may not actually be the person, it's just what they're saying at the time," Lembke said. "Some people say things when they're emotionally charged that we mean to say, only we didn't mean to say it that way."
When people find themselves getting overwhelmed, Lembke said it's important to walk away, put the phone down, focus on deep breathing and get some fresh air. He wants to remind everywhere to participate in self-care whether it be getting outside, exercising or listening to music.
He said politics can be triggering because of how it affects people's emotions.
"The light that the ads promote that person and put the other person down, so we get more emotionally charged," Lembke said. "Either we side with that person or we side against that party, whoever it is."
This comes as campaign signs have been vandalized in Columbia and ballot boxes have been set on fire across the country.
The APA found around 7-in-10 adults are worried the election results could lead to violence, while more than half think results could lead to the end of democracy.
The poll also found 73% of Americans reported it is stressful trying to deal with potential misinformation and not knowing what fake information may look like.
Mid-Missourians can use the ABC 17 News Voter Guide to learn about specific races and ballot measures and watch full interviews with candidates.
White, though, said he believes all will be OK in the end.
"Remember that this is our country and we are together as a unified nation and that love is the answer," White said.
