Dealing with election stress? You’re not alone. Tips to cope (+ where to find help in NC)
With Election Day just a few days away, stress levels are high for some as North Carolina voters await the outcome.
If you’re feeling anxious about the election, here are some tips and resources to help.
Dealing with pre- and post-election anxiety
Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit mental health organization, offers the following tips for coping with pre- and post-election anxiety:
Before the election:
Create news boundaries: Take breaks from reading the news along to clear your mind, reset your emotions and avoid screen fatigue.
Prioritize self-care: Engaging in positive activities helps shift your focus from stressors and overall election anxiety and supports a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. This could mean curling up with your favorite book or show, exercising or taking a bath.
Prepare for tough conversations: When discussing the election with someone, know your perspective and be open to hearing theirs. If the discussion starts to get heated, it’s OK to step away, do some breathing exercises or take a walk to maintain your calm.
After the election:
Reach out to others: Don’t isolate yourself. Instead, connect with to someone you trust to share your thoughts.
Keep a journal: If you can’t talk to someone, try writing down your thoughts. Putting your feelings on paper can help you make sense of them.
Practice self-care: Just like before the election, self-care activities can help relieve stress.
Just listen: Ask open-ended questions to gain insight into others’ experience. Acknowledge their emotions and reassure them that their feelings are valid.
Avoid overextending yourself: Make sure to prioritize your own well-being and attend to your needs before offering support to others.
Dive deeper at crisistextline.org.
Resources for dealing with election anxiety
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. (More: 988lifeline.org)
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264, or text “HelpLine” to 62640 to connect with a NAMI volunteer. (More: nami.org)
Crisis Text Line: Text “ELECTION” to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. (More: crisistextline.org)
HopeLine: 919-231-4525. The family crisis line is available 24/7. (More: hopeline-nc.org)
North Carolina mental health organizations + resources
You can also check out our extensive list of mental health resources for a variety of groups in North Carolina: newsobserver.com/news.
This story was originally published November 2, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Dealing with election stress? You’re not alone. Tips to cope (+ where to find help in NC)."
