{"id":6150,"date":"2024-08-12T03:31:47","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T11:31:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/breathingspace\/?p=6150"},"modified":"2024-08-11T07:39:56","modified_gmt":"2024-08-11T15:39:56","slug":"11-ways-to-maintain-mental-health-during-election-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/breathingspace\/2024\/08\/11-ways-to-maintain-mental-health-during-election-season\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Ways to Maintain Mental Health During Election Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Every four years, many Americans find emotional well-being a challenge. How can you maintain your mental health during election season?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aunt Bertha proclaims, \u201cI just don\u2019t see how anyone could vote (insert political party) and still be a good person!\u201d<\/strong> It\u2019s then that you shrink into the sofa cushions, knowing that if she knew your preferred candidate, she\u2019d probably start praying for your soul.<\/p>\n

Election season is fraught with mental health challenges. From family reunions to dating, from social media flame wars to ballot anxiety, this is a time that tries people\u2019s souls. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your mental health and relationships.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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11 Ways to Maintain Mental Health During Election Season<\/h2>\n
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  1. Limit your news intake.<\/strong> These days, people feel bombarded by the 24\/7 news cycle. To decrease media-related anxiety, limit your news intake. This could mean reducing the amount of time you spend consuming news content. Or it might mean controlling the type of news you ingest. For example, if you\u2019re disturbed by videos you watch, consider restricting your news to articles you read and radio broadcasts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    1. Expand your news sources.<\/strong> Most media outlets tend to lean to the left or to the right. And most people are inclined to get their news from sources that favor their particular political leanings. This leads to confirmation bias<\/a>.<\/span> It also contributes to polarization of opinions<\/a><\/span>, where constant reinforcement of one\u2019s opinion causes people to shy away from those who differ from them. By expanding your news sources to include those on the left, right, and center, you become more balanced in your perspective.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      1. Expand your social circle.<\/strong> This is related to the last point. When you expand your social circle to include friendships on the left, right, and center, you become more balanced. Take the time to listen carefully to the opinions of others. Not only will your opinions become more balanced, but your empathy skills will grow as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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        1. Limit your screen time.<\/strong> Many people like to wrap up their day by scrolling on their phones, reading on their tablets, or watching TV. Studies show<\/a> <\/span>that looking at a screen\u2019s bright light just before bed inhibits healthy sleep. This affects your resilience, mood, and overall function throughout the day. Consider having a conversation with a family member or playing a game instead. If you want to read, choose an e-reader, which emits less light<\/a><\/span>. Or choose an old-fashioned book. Now that\u2019s a novel concept!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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          1. Set healthy relationship boundaries. <\/strong>Tell Aunt Bertha, \u201cI love you, and I disagree. If we can\u2019t talk about it in a polite way, I\u2019m not going to continue the conversation.\u201d If she persists with judgment and rudeness, there\u2019s nothing wrong with taking a break from Aunt Bertha for a while.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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            1. Get proper nutrition, rest, and exercise. <\/strong>There\u2019s a link between physical health and mental health. Too often, we ignore the warning signs our bodies give us\u2014warnings like excess weight, trouble sleeping, aches and pains, and more. We neglect to care for our medical needs, resulting in emotional pain and energetic deficiencies. Take care of your body, and your body will help care for your mind.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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              1. Set sine qua non<\/a><\/em><\/span> expectations for new relationships.<\/strong> This Latin expression (because I had to be nerdy) means \u201cwithout which not.\u201d I had a professor who gave sine qua non<\/em> terms we had to know, without which we would not pass our exam. If you are dating, church-shopping, or joining a community group, set sine qua non<\/em> expectations for these new relationships. One person I know met their spouse on a dating app. On their profile, it said, \u201cMust be a Democrat.\u201d If this kind of thing is important to you, set those expectations, and live by them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                1. Know your political capacity. <\/strong>Jim, Pam, Dwight, or others in the office might obsess over political conversation, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to keep up. Your best friend may campaign for her favorite candidate, but you don\u2019t need to volunteer with her at the polls. Some people are built for intense political discourse, and others are not. However you are built, that\u2019s okay. You don\u2019t need to be as political or as apolitical as the others in your life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                  1. Vote with confidence.<\/strong> Ballot anxiety is real. While it\u2019s important to vote, your mental health is important as well. Consider taking a support person with you. If you need someone to literally hold your hand, ask a friend. Go to the polls early to avoid the crowds. Or vote by mail if that\u2019s easier for you. If you do vote by mail, you might ask a friend who shares your values to check the ballot for mistakes before you mail it off. Your vote is your business, but you don\u2019t have to do it alone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                    1. Talk with a therapist.<\/strong> Election season is a difficult time for lots of people. If it\u2019s creating undue stress and anxiety for you, there\u2019s comfort in knowing you\u2019re not alone. Therapists will tell you that tons of clients deal with election anxiety. Counselors have listening ears to hear what you\u2019d like to get off your chest. And they have techniques to help you deal with the pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                      1. Let go and let God.<\/strong> Now, I\u2019m not saying that God determines the outcome of any election. We decide which candidate wins when we exercise our voting responsibilities. But once you\u2019ve cast your ballot, you\u2019ve done your part. Now, you can let God give you peace that you\u2019ve participated in the process. You can let God give you strength for whatever the outcome. Let God show you how to pray for the winner as they begin to govern. And let God fill your heart with grace for the loser and for their supporters, so you can begin to repair whatever damage election season has caused.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                        Take Control of Your Mental Health<\/h2>\n

                        During election season, fear and anxiety can overwhelm your emotions.<\/strong> A cynical writer would say that media outlets want it that way. Fearful news consumers produce more clicks and higher ratings. But you can take control of your mental health during election season. Yes, elections are important events with significant consequences. But don\u2019t worry. You\u2019ve got this. And God\u2019s got you as you go through it.<\/p>\n

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                        For related reading, check out my other articles:<\/h2>\n