Time for some “self-care.” A survey of 2,000 adults in the United States found that going into the election, 55% expected that it would be the most stressful day of their lives thus far. “Thus far” — that means ever.
Unfortunately for them, the initial election returns likely did little to allay anxiety levels. In fact, anxiety certainly rose as junkies watched returns in real time and “election needles” twitched back and forth as modelers tried to process early returns.
Unsurprisingly, millennials (the generation whose most formative years coincided with the birth and subsequent dominance of social media) were the most stressed headed into Tuesday, with 61% expecting a uniquely difficult Election Day. Generation X was right behind the young ‘uns, with 58% expecting the same.
The survey results mesh with what others are saying about the prevalence of “election stress disorder.”
“I’m seeing a tremendous amount of people dealing with stress, anxiety, panic-type symptoms, as the election gets closer,” Adam Borland, a clinical psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, told NBC News.
Alongside the election, survey respondents pointed to social unrest and violence, financial uncertainty, and COVID-19 as other compounding sources of stress.
It wouldn’t cure all, but perhaps the most effective stress-mitigating solution, though not as simple a task as putting on your walking shoes or picking up a book, is an emotional divestment from politics.
