You’re not alone if you’re feeling anxious or stressed!
An annual mental health poll conducted by the American Psychological Association found 73 percent of American adults felt anxious about the 2024 U.S. election. The Department of Mental Services offers the following strategies to get through this difficult time:
- Unplug for a period of time—set specific times to check the news or engage with social media and then take a break
- Identify what you can control and what you can do to help yourself cope with whatever the results may be—consider places to donate time, money, and energy to support the concepts and beliefs that matter to you
- Social media generally doesn’t make people feel better about situations—and debates on social media rarely result in changing anyone’s opinions—so consider where to best focus your energies if you’re feeling depleted
- Use strategies that have helped you cope with other negative emotions
- Avoid using substances to find relief
- Be outside
- Be around people, rather than alone, if it helps you to socialize
- Build in time for activities you enjoy (music, art, cooking, etc.)
- Continue daily routines for self-care
- Exercise
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Journal or write
- Relaxation strategies
- Turn to spirituality and religion, if those are helpful for you
- Talk about it with like-minded peers
If you're feeling significant or persistent distress, contact DMHS or another mental health resource for support.
