Key Takeaways:
– A significant amount of American citizens experience anxiety and stress due to the elections.
– Some citizens are trying to distract themselves through unique activities, while others chose to detach from the event.
– The anxiety induced is primarily due to individual reaction than the election itself.
– Industry professionals advise focusing on self-care and re-analyzing our response to external stressors.
– Despite the stress and anxiety, some individuals express a calm approach towards the electoral process.
Election Day Jitters
As the highly awaited election day arrives, a palpable wave of anxiety and stress has taken hold of numerous American citizens. Many individuals are attempting to cope with the intensity of the situation, yielding mixed results. Others prefer to maintain their usual routine instead of letting the presidential race and Congress’s control dictate their daily lives.
Regulating Stress through Daily Activities
The Aurigemma brothers, David and Mark, sought to alleviate the election day tension by engaging in a quiet walk through Los Angeles State Historic Park, with David showing his support for Kamala Harris through a t-shirt. They intended to spend the day hiking and enjoying art exhibits in downtown L.A., despite confessing their high stress levels surrounding the political event.
According to the American Psychological Association, the concern is well-founded, with approximately 77% of adults listing the future of the U.S. as a significant stress factor. The recent report also identified a subtle rise in election-related stress, with 70% of respondents stressing over this year’s election, compared to 52% in 2016.
Redefining Individual Response to External Stressors
Neurology professor Richard Cytowic insists that the anxiety experienced has less to do with the elections or other external events and more to do with individual perspectives. He advises people to manage the stress by disregarding it versus attending to it.
Ignoring the Elections
On the contrary, 36-year-old commercial truck driver Eddie Castaneda completely ignored the elections, having no intentions of casting his vote. Castaneda chose to remain indifferent towards the political stress, believing that whoever emerges victorious wouldn’t affect his job.
Diving into Daily Enjoyments
Kelly Greaney and Stacey Matthew chose to indulge in everyday activities to feel grounded in these uncertain times. As parents with full-time jobs in Hollywood, the duo decided to invest their day in treat-filled activities like baking brownies, movie-watching, and spending quality time with their kids.
Understanding Voting-induced Anxieties
Psychology professor Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton highlights that uncertainties and the lack of control over the election results contribute to stress and anxiety experienced during elections. However, not everyone shares this view. For instance, full-time comedian Tom Rhodes exhibits a calmer approach towards the election. The self-proclaimed news junkie designed his schedule with an eye on voting in person during election day, projecting a sense of serenity in the heated situation.
Despite the substantial anxiety and inevitable election stress, many people attempt to create a sense of normalcy. As experts suggest, the key lies in considering individual reactions, managing stress, and striving to create balance in our lives amidst the electoral chaos.