Don’t Let The Election Burn You Out
It’s election week in the US and the vibe is a bit charged. Not only are we in that post daylight savings daze but if you’re feeling a little extra tense this week, it’s probably not just you. We’re heading into a big week, full of opinions and hopes, and a lot of distraction from work, family, and regular life. And the truth is, the numbers show that people are extra stressed during this season…
To bring the enhanced stress of the election and political state to light, a 2024 American Psychological Association study found a few telling patterns:
· 77% of adults in the US said that the future of the country was a significant source of stress in their lives
· 69% of adults reported that the presidential election is a significant source of stress in their lives (up from 52% in 2016)
· 74% of respondents also noted that they fear violence as a response to election results
(link to full APA report below)
To share my personal dichotomy, my husband is glued to the interwebs and updates. He consumes media faster than anyone I know, and he engages in conversations online with others. He’s online a lot. His stress level is High. I on the other hand, sometimes find myself too empathy-drained to carry on very long with any of it so consume <30minutes a day of election-related media. My stress level is moderate.
So, let’s talk about what we can do to get through the remaining days / hours of election day.
1. Pace yourself – whatever that pace needs to be for you.
Don’t make this complicated. Close your eyes, take a deep breath or three and check in about what you need to get through your week. If you need to talk it out, find those supports, if you need to be curled up in a blanket with some Golden Bachelorette, do that – guilt free!
2. Don’t forget to eat & drink water – do the normal things to take care of yourself.
I know this seems basic, but when we get stressed, we are more likely to fall into bad habits and no one needs to be hangry election week! A gentle reminder just to pay attention to getting your basic needs met, even if that’s a cuddle from a kitty.
3. Take breaks, stand up, stretch, work out – move your body!
However you feel like - dance around the house to your favorite jam if that gets you moving to get some endorphins going. This isn’t to blast you into over-exercising but even gentle movement like stretching and bed yoga can give a vibe boost if you mix it up during a stressful week.
4. Don’t be too hard on yourself - for focus or productivity issues this week.
I know all the employers will hate this one but leaders are better off fostering a supportive environment and helping people manage the unique stress of this time than ignoring that it’s happening and denying it has an impact.
A friendly reminder, not everyone Is going to be immediately relieved following the election results (regardless of the outcome), and, I really hope it doesn’t, but this could carry out beyond Tuesday. The impacts of adrenaline and cortisol can have results like making us more irritable, anxious, or wiping us out.
I haven’t forgotten—you come to me for burnout advice. Here it is: acknowledge how much this week is draining you and spend time doing things that recharge your battery. Then focus on your normal routine so that this doesn’t contribute to your overall burnout picture leading into the holiday season.
For my husband this looks like gaming, cuddles, and hard cardio workouts. For me, it’s bubble bath season and gentler workouts like yoga that help me keep my cool. Kitty cuddles work wonders for the both of us! What works for you?
Read the full APA report on political stress here: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/managing-political-stress