If just thinking about November 3 makes you break out in hives, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in late 2019, 56 percent of adults in the U.S. cite the upcoming election as a significant stressor in their life. And given the way 2020 has been going, we can’t help but assume that percentage has gone up a bit.
“Normally, elections can cause some stress, but the stakes are higher this time around due to the polarized candidates, hurdles for voting, and the overall state of the country with the pandemic and racial tensions,” explains Dr. Sherry Benton, PhD, psychologist, founder and chief science officer of TAO Connect. In other words, it’s natural to be feeling the election stress on steroids this year.
And with the election just eight weeks away, we have a feeling that anxiety is only going to intensify. So how do we keep from spiraling? Here, two therapists share their best tips and strategies for managing election stress.