To say 2020 has been a turbulent year would be an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic, devastating wildfires, nationwide protests, earthquakes, hurricanes, economic fluctuations – all this and more makes us hope for a better 2021. To round out the year, we are right in the midst of the presidential election.
Because mail ballots take longer to count and each state has its own rules for how votes are counted, it may take days or weeks after Election Day to know who wins. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of U.S. adults reported being stressed about the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Election Day results are a big deal for the country but one that you can handle personally. Here are four things you can do on Election Day to stay sane while waiting to hear the decision:
- Set a Cap for Your News Watching Time
If you feel like you have to have a sense of where the election is heading, try to hold yourself to every few hours. Checking every minute, every 15 minutes or every 30 minutes is not going to give you much more clarity on the outlook.
Don’t be glued to your computer or television. Wanting to constantly know the latest results can cause anxiety and lessen the enjoyment of Election Day.
- Consider the Content you do Consume
While you may love social media, it happens to be the one place where disinformation and false news are shared the most. Focus on getting the facts from reliable and nonpartisan sources, like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others — not from social media. Whatever you read, it’s best to find one to two other sources to verify the story and read both the side that supports your perspective and the side that does not to get a better idea of what is actually happening.
- Be Proud of Your Actions and Avoid Worrying About What is Out of Your Control
The most important thing you can do when it comes to Election Day is vote. Whether you voted beforehand in person or with a mail ballot or went to a polling place on the day of, you have done your part. Other than that, don’t think about the rest that is out of your control.
The act of voting, thinking about the election process and caring about democracy are enormous events that can be awe-inspiring and daunting at the same time. Manage your sanity by doing your part, being proud of your actions and letting it go at that.
- Maintain Perspective
It seems like each election is claimed to be the most important election ever. Yes, elections are important, and your participation is important. One person, such as a president can have an impact on your life, but your life is still mostly yours to control. You make the most important decisions about your life, not someone else. Presidents come and go in your lifetime. You are the constant.
Get some fresh air. Go outside for a walk or a run. Connect with other people. Talk to a friend. Election Day and the results from it should not alter how you go about living your life. Keep your life moving. It is your life to live. Don’t allow a single election or decision to change how you approach life.
Avoid looking too much at the news, be proud of your vote and maintain perspective. Remember these tips not just for Election Day but also when you are waiting for any big decision or outcome in your life.
That said, seek out professional help if your election anxiety becomes disruptive to your daily life. If limiting your interaction with news and pursuing healthy alternatives do not do the trick, then seeing a psychologist or other mental health professional may help.
On the same note, feeling unsure about your financial future is completely normal, especially in a year that’s been anything but normal. You don’t need to go through this uncertainty alone – Powercat Financial is here to support you as you take action to your financial well-being. Remember, you can schedule a free and confidential client session with the link http://www.ksu.edu/powercatfinancial where we can help you with budgeting, student loans, credit, etc.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/10/election-stress
Sarah Meenen
Peer Counselor II
Powercat Financial
www.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial
