Many Americans Feeling More Stress During Election Season

The Midterm Elections are here, and many Americans are reporting feeling anxious about Election Day. Some experts refer to it as “election stress disorder.” Mayo clinic psychiatrist Dr. Robert Bright says it’s not an actual medical diagnosis but experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety during election cycles can be real for some. “Difficulty getting to sleep or waking up early and not being able to let go of that. For some people, they experience it physically. They may have GI upset or headaches or just feel shaky. Not being be able to relax and be able to concentrate," Dr. Bright says.

A recent survey from the American Psychological Association shows two-thirds of adults (66%) say the current political climate is a significant source of stress in their lives. More than three-quarters (76%) are stressed about the future of our nation.

Dr. Bright says, “Social media as well as media in general can really generate stress and anxiety around the election. So, for some people, they're really focused all the time in a very concentrated way on news story and news events and living moment to moment of what's going to happen next.”

Dr. Bright say election stress also comes from the feeling of not being in control. That’s why it’s important to control what you can. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and exercise. Do some relaxation techniques and connect with friends and loved ones that support you.

The pandemic, inflation, and other factors are also significantly increasing stress and anxiety for many. The recent APA survey also shows 27% of adults say most days they are so stressed they can’t function.