Election Stress: Tips to Manage Emotions about Politics and the Election
Politics can be a significant source of stress and conflict. There is so much uncertainty – and so much that we cannot control. But political stress does not have to overwhelm you. Below are some strategies and support resources for feeling better and regaining a sense of agency.
Practice Self-Care:
- Attend to the basics: Restore yourself with rest and healthy food. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Try to get the right amount of sleep.
- Be present: Use reflection to recognize your inner thoughts and feelings. Be curious and non- judgmental and give yourself permission to feel the way you do.
- Consider practicing self-compassion as you work through challenging or uncertain times. Try some Guided Meditations or a mindful walk.
- Self-soothing is a quick and effective way to regulate your emotions.
Unplug:
- Limit your consumption of social media, images, and news stories.
- Consider scheduling a short period of time to catch up, rather than checking for new updates throughout the day.
- Take frequent digital breaks by creating phone-free periods or using apps to limit screen time.
- Visit The Jed Foundation for more ways to protect your mental health when you use social media.
Connect:
- Engage with people and communities you trust. When you need a break from election stress, you can suggest that the group avoid talking about politics.
- Hang out with your pets (or with other people’s pets). Interacting with pets can help relieve stress and bring down stress hormones.
- Spirituality can be one way to connect with yourself, others, nature, or a higher power(s).
Take Action:
- Channel what you’re feeling into positive, meaningful activity. It can be challenging to stay motivated when everything around us seems chaotic and scary. But doing something – some action, no matter how small – can lessen some of the uncertainty.
- Consider how the needs of your community may have changed in light of the election. Is there an election outcome that motivates you to become or stay engaged? How can you use your talents and skills to help your community or make a difference in the broader world?
- Service and generosity are a few ways to promote a sense of empowerment and contribution when feeling helpless. Consider volunteering or other forms of civic engagement.
Need More Support?
Students:
If you need additional support, University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) has a number of options:
- Students who are distressed or anxious may connect with Talk Now (through TimelyCare) for immediate, in-the-moment, mental health support anytime (24/7).
- In addition, UHCS offers same-day and next-day mental health visits (during clinic hours) that can be scheduled through myhealthconnect.case.edu. These visits can be virtual or in person.
- After-hours and on weekends and holidays, the counselor on-call can be reached by calling 216.368.5872.
Faculty, Staff, and Postdoctoral Fellows and Scholars:
Impact Solutions, the Employee Assistance and Work/Life Program, offers around-the-clock support. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff, along with their household and family members, can receive free, confidential counseling and referrals for a wide range of challenges.
To inquire about services, call 800-227-6007. Your call will be answered by a qualified mental health professional, available 24/7, 365 days a year. There are no limitations on in-the-moment phone support or online resources provided by Impact, and face-to-face counseling is also available, with up to five free sessions included per issue.
Everyone:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Veterans/service members - select option 1
- Spanish speakers - select option 2
- LGBTQ+ callers under age 25 - select option 3
- Indigenous callers - select option 4
Crisis Text Line 741-741 - for a BIPOC counselor, text the word STEVE
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Trevor Project (for LGBTQIA+ people ages 13-24): Call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
In an emergency, always call 216.368.3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).