Nearly every American has the date of November 3 marked on their calendar. This is the day that the country will elect the next president. This election season is shaping up to be the most highly contested and heated race in history. Because of the building animosity, many people are feeling unprecedented amounts of stress from the election alone.

Here is more information about the dangers of letting this stress consume you as well as some ways in which you can take control of the situation so that you protect your mental and emotional health.

Dangers of Election Stress on Your Mental Health

Because the repercussions of this upcoming election feel so magnified, the impact on mental health has been more significant than in the past. Individuals from all sides of the political spectrum are feeling stress and anxiety leading up to the big day. The unknown of what will happen when the results are tallied are also causing mental unrest in many people.

Although some level of stress is considered to be healthy, this feeling can manifest itself with mental distress if it gets out of control. It is important to remember that everyone reacts differently to stress. While some people can manage it and use it as a motivating tool to take action, other people may experience varying levels of mental stress. Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to a myriad of additional health issues including stomach problems, tension headaches, insomnia, and elevated blood pressure.

Stress and anxiety that is not addressed can also lower the body's immune system response, causing you to get sick more often. For these reasons, it is imperative that you take the steps needed to address your deteriorating mental and emotional health as the election season wears on.

Managing the Election Stress

While it is certainly easier said than done, it is important that you are proactive about managing this stress. Here are a few ways that you can take control of the situation.

• Limit News Consumption - The 24-hour news cycle can do a number on your level of anxiety. Being continually bombarded by bad news will naturally elicit a feeling of impending doom. For this reason, it is a good idea to limit your news consumption. Checking in with the latest headlines just once per day will ensure that you are informed while preventing the news from weighing you down.



• Step Away From Social Media - Social media has become a breeding ground for ugly conversations, especially as they relate to politics. It is easy for people to hide behind a computer screen when expressing their opinions. If you feel yourself becoming increasingly agitated while browsing your feeds, this may be a perfect time to take a hiatus from your social media accounts.



• Avoid Discussing Politics With Others - With so many divisive issues in the political arena these days, it is easy for even the most benign conversations to become bitter. Avoiding discussing politics with others will help to prevent the possible fracture of relationships. It is particularly important to avoid these discussions if you know that they are likely to become heated because of differing views.



• Lean in on Perspective - Although it is understandable if you feel strongly about one candidate over another, it is important to keep perspective through the next few months. To do this, you need to avoid catastrophizing the results of the election and to keep reminding yourself that life will go on after November 3 regardless of the outcome.



• Vote - With empowerment comes peace. Voting is one of the best things that you can do to give yourself a sense of control over the election. Get out there and vote and then encourage others to do the same.

In addition to the impending election, many individuals are feeling stressed about a variety of other factors leading to unrest in the nation. Between the election, the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, and racial tensions, it is no surprise that so many people are feeling anxious. However, taking control of the situation by following these tips will help you to get through this challenging time with your mental health intact.