Dear Voters, 

You’ve probably heard…there’s a national election taking place in a few weeks. For people of all ages—college students (and even some high school students), as well as young, older, and oldest adults—opinions and emotions are running higher than ever. The airwaves are bursting with political messages, interrupting our favorite programs and filling our inboxes and phones 24 hours a day. There is a lot of information out there—and also a lot of noise. How is one to make sense of it all? How does one get accurate information and make rational, responsible decisions? How does one remain calm, emotionally stable, and mentally healthy? 

Studies from the American Psychiatric Association highlight how politics can be a chronic stressor in people’s daily lives. One study tracked well-being and negative emotional responses to politics in a group of American residents across all political parties for a period of 3 weeks. The study found that, when asked to reflect on daily political events, participants felt negative emotion on 75% of the days and strong negative emotion on 53% of the days. These negative emotions in turn corresponded to worse psychological and physical well-being.

There are many articles, guidelines from experts, and apps you can use to help practice calming strategies and feel better when reports from the news, social media, and political discussions reach a fever pitch. Such practices are excellent ways to take a step away from the inevitable rising tensions during an election—or, really, during any stressful life event. Take a beat. Go for a walk in the woods. Say nothing, at least for a while. For many people, though, educating themselves, becoming better informed consumers, and resolving to follow their conscience and values are even more effective strategies.

You can survive this election season and even emerge a wiser, more self-assured, and more mentally healthy person. Knowledge is power—a statement often attributed to Francis Bacon, and sometimes to Thomas Jefferson. But whoever really said it first was definitely onto something. Knowledge gives you internal power and fortitude. Knowledge gives you self-confidence and clarity, no matter what the outcome. 

Here are some suggestions to help you during this challenging time:

• Political discussions are good, as long as everyone talks to each other in a calm and respectful manner. If the temperature rises and tempers begin to flare, you can change the subject or disengage entirely. 
• When engaging in such discussions, try to avoid angry and accusing arguments. Rather than rejecting an opinion or position that doesn’t line up with yours, no matter how outlandish it may seem, ask “How did you form that opinion?” or “What led you to this conclusion?” These types of questions may lead to an interesting discussion.
• Get information from a variety of sources. Don’t depend on one source.
• Go to sources you trust—and ones that haven’t let you down in the past. Get the facts. Remember that facts are different than opinions.
• Get real data. Don’t accept comments like, “People are saying…” or “Everybody knows….”
• Be analytical. Ask insightful questions, such as: Who is financially supporting the source of this information? And who truly benefits from the conclusions being drawn?
• Make decisions about the issues and candidates that best line up with your values. Supporting candidates who share your values can promote a sense of agency and purpose.
• Recognize the impact of political rhetoric on your mental health, especially the impact of hate speech. If you are feeling anxious, angry, overwhelmed, or stressed by the election coverage, take a break from social media or limit your exposure to the media headlines and messages. Remember, it’s possible to stay informed while prioritizing your well-being.
• Listen to how the candidates talk about and treat the people who are important to you. Your relatives. Your friends and neighbors. You. Candidates’ treatment of people who matter to you, including yourself, can affect your self-worth, sense of belonging, and well-being.
• Remember: Different generations may have different priorities. Try to understand those differences. Ask questions. Then listen to the answers. Whether you are a Baby Boomer (or older), a Gen Xer, a Millennial, or a Zoomer, talk to each other. Find out what is important to people of different ages and in different circumstances. Try to remain open-minded and be willing to listen to different points of view. Be willing to change your mind.

So, does my vote count?

Yes. Your vote counts—and so does your mental well-being, whether you are voting in your first or 50th election. If you have done your homework, if you have been thoughtful in your choices, if you have had productive discussions with people with whom you agree and also disagree, if you have tried to remain calm in a storm—then you can rest assured that you are being a true citizen and making clear choices. And that contributes to good mental and emotional health.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.

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