With the 2024 election just two months away, tensions are at an all-time high and our country seems more divided than ever before. As a therapist treating patients across both sides of the aisle, I’m in a position to help quell some of the high anxiety affecting the electorate in major East Coast cities. The polarizing comments on both sides are problematic. For example, I’ve heard many Conservatives harp on Harris being the de facto nominee after Biden dropped out of the race. On the other side, countless Liberals have expressed disappointment over Trump surviving the recent assassination attempt. Yes, you read that right: they would prefer Trump dead.
Such thoughts and discussions are only fueling the rhetoric and none of this is healthy. I have not been shy about telling my clients exactly that. Some have been open to changing the way they think about the election and candidates, while others have demonized me, thinking I’m the enemy, and don’t understand why I don’t share their hatred of a candidate. They eventually move on to an appeasing therapist.
Below are some practical strategies for managing and alleviating your anxieties around the upcoming election and tumultuous political climate:
- Be a smart consumer of information: Limit your exposure to election-related news and social media. Constant bombardment with potentially sensational or polarizing information can exacerbate anxiety. Furthermore, seeing snippets of information, out of context, on TikTok and Instagram, is not news – its curated sensationalism designed only to support your view and not broaden or enrich your knowledge of the topic. It will keep you exactly where you are: in an echo chamber with uneducated views. Instead, seek factual reporting and avoid sensationalism or biased sources that only heighten anxiety. Be an educated consumer of news and aim for balance, i.e. watch CNN and FOX, while setting specific times to check news updates and taking breaks from media so it does not dominate your day and night.
- Maintain perspective: Decipher fact from fiction. Contrary to opinion on the left, our country will not be like Nazi German as many on that side believe would happen in a second Trump term. And, contrary to many opinions on the right, a Harris presidency would not mean the end the nuclear family. Understand that as much as you may dislike a candidate, you have a chance to do it all over again in four years. Democracy is very much alive and has worked for our Nation for over two centuries. Know that while the election is important, it is just one aspect of a larger, dynamic world. By understanding that political outcomes are not the sole determinants of personal or societal success, you can help mitigate feelings of anxiety.
- Limit exposure to conflict: By avoiding or minimizing engagement in heated political debates or confrontations — especially on social media – you can help reduce the tribalism that has become so apparent over the past few years. Instead, focus on constructive and respectful conversations and try to understand why someone may or may not feel a certain way while resisting your urge to write them off as an extremist on either side.
- Take control. If you don’t like a candidate, or the status quo, then take action and quit complaining. By taking proactive steps such as community organizing, volunteering, and of course voting, you’ll feel more of a sense of control, and less of a feeling of helplessness.
- Maintain your health: For some people they neglect other aspects of their lives because they’re so caught up in the news of the day. That said, make sure you maintain exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and continue to participate in activities that bring happiness.
By utilizing these strategies, you can better manage your anxiety and maintain a healthier mental state while navigating the challenges and uncertainties associated with the upcoming election.