Doctor Gives Advise On How To Calm Those Election Fears


Over the past couple of months, there has been a rise in the number of Americans seeking professional help due to the stress and anxiety brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, many of which are concerned about how the presidential election will play a role in our country's well-being. Doctors recommend several ways to calm those fears as we head into the final days before the election.

Dr. Barbara Nosal, Ph.D., LMFG, LADC, and chief clinical officer at Newport Institute, suggests practicing mindfulness during these hard times.

“Practicing mindfulness and connecting your mind and body through activities such as yoga, journaling, or going for a walk can be especially beneficial right now to alleviate stress. Exercise can also help alleviate stress because it releases endorphins which can make you feel more positive," said the doctor.

Limiting or avoiding social media altogether is also a good idea if certain content tends to trigger these emotions.

“Social media use during high-stress events can often lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, insomnia, isolation, and fatigue,” Nosal pointed out. "'Doomscrolling’ can often occur in scenarios like this when we are surrounded by and continuously reading or scrolling through bad news, even when it is disheartening or depressing.”

Try replacing the scrolling and never-ending unfiltered opinions of others with more positive activities, like listening to music that sparks joy or watching a lighthearted movie, or rereading a favorite book. Being creative can also help alleviate stress and feelings of anxiousness.

If you do decide to check in on the results, be sure to "consider the source of your information," said Nosal.

“One key to your wellness is staying present and grounded in the moment by focusing on what you can control,” she said. “We can control our one vote, but the election results are out of our control.”

The doctor added that once you cast your vote "recognize the need to let it go and resist putting energy into the outcome given you cannot change it."

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