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10 Tips To Help With Your Post-Election Anxiety

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Politics and Activism

5 Ways To Cope With Election Day Anxiety

The 2020 presidential election is less than a week away, and if that doesn't scare you, I don't know what will.

Reagan Priest

Oct 28, 2020

Arizona State University

2812

5 Ways To Cope With Election Day Anxiety

Casey Wagner / Flickr Creative Commons

We all know that this year's election will be different in more ways than we can count. Insert quote about unprecedented times here 🙂.

For those of us with anxious tendencies, this election will be more stressful than most, and I think a lot of people will agree when I say that I'm dreading election day. The constant poll-checking, projections from analysts, and 24/7 news coverage will be enough to have any sane person ripping their hair out.

To protect the precious hairs on your beautiful head, I've compiled a list of ways to combat election day anxiety.

1. Limit your poll-checking.

Photo by 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

With Twitter at our disposal, it can be easy to spend all day checking election returns as ballots are counted. However, this is not the healthy choice. Especially considering that election results will most likely not be final on the night of November 3, as this Vox article explains. Try to only check polls and election news once every two hours or longer in order to preserve your sanity.

2. Don't disrupt your everyday routine.

I know that next Tuesday will be anything but an ordinary day, but disrupting your typical routine will only exacerbate any anxiety caused by the hectic nature of election day. As this article points out, routines actually aid in managing anxiety, so you're really doing more harm when you disrupt your daily schedule due to special events or extenuating circumstances. Instead, treat November 3 as any other boring day, and do exactly what you normally do.

3. Queue up your distractions.

Even if you're not constantly checking the polls on Twitter or keeping your eyes glued to your TV, you'll likely still be thinking about the election and its outcome. This is where distractions come in. If you feel your mind wandering, stream your favorite movie or TV show, read a comforting book, or play a couple (hundred) rounds of "Among Us." Anything that can keep your brain occupied will help prevent overanalyzing results you have no control over.

4. Talk to your friends and family — just not about the election.

I guarantee that you're not the only person who's suffering from election day anxiety. Reach out to your friends and family members for a good chat (preferably one that isn't about politics). There's strength in numbers, so don't feel like you have to go through this scary time alone.

5. And, most importantly, VOTE!

Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash

If you're planning on voting in person on election day, get your plan ready now to save stress on the actual day. If you've already voted, whether it be absentee or early voting, give yourself a pat on the back. Nothing will alleviate stress like doing your civic duty.

* * *

I wish you luck in your endeavors to stay sane on November 3rd. These are some stressful times we're living in, but if you've made it this far, I'm pretty sure you can make it through anything.

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5 Ways To Cope With Election Day Anxiety

The 2020 presidential election is less than a week away, and if that doesn't scare you, I don't know what will.

1. Limit your poll-checking.

2. Don't disrupt your everyday routine.

3. Queue up your distractions.

4. Talk to your friends and family — just not about the election.

5. And, most importantly, VOTE!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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