Here are 6 tips to calm yourself down

The imminent presidential election affects Americans mental health.

A recent national survey conducted by AMFM, a California-based mental health system, analyzed the anxiety levels of 2,000 Americans during election year

Almost 22% of respondents reported that election coverage negatively affects their mental health.

Concerns about the election have led to a shocking ban on autumn weddings

The spread of misinformation (57%) and messages of “doom and gloom” (56%) were identified as key stressors, along with worry about the outcome of the election (54%) and worry that their preferred candidate would not win (42%).

Overall, 30% of respondents reported increased anxiety about the election, 22% said they felt overwhelmed, and 18% felt angry.

Read on the Fox News app

Almost 53% said they avoid conversations related to the election prevent agitation.

More than 73% of respondents did not seek support because of election anxiety – and they say they do not plan to.

As elections approach, stress eating needs a sharp eye: ‘It’s destructive behavior’

The AMFM concluded that it is critical for people to “find a balance, limit their exposure to distressing content, and consider looking for support when needed.”

Another survey by LifeStance Health — a mental health network headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona — found that the presidential election is a “significant source of stress and anxiety” for Americans.

The survey, which surveyed more than 1,000 Americans in August 2024, found that 79% of people feel nervous about the election.

The results showed that younger Americans are more likely to be affected by the condition, including 64% of Gen Z and 54% of Millennials.

A study shows that heart attacks are more likely during presidential elections and other stressful times

More than half (57%) of respondents said they think about the election every day, and 31% said they think about it several times a day.

At the same time, 44% of Gen Z have put off important life milestones such as moving, going to college, getting married, or having children because of worries about political climate.

Friends and family also share this concern, with 44% of respondents saying that political or election-related discussions have led to conflict.

More than two-thirds (72%) of respondents said social media and other news outlets contribute to their coverage anxiety before the electionswhile 34% admitted to unfollowing or blocking a friend or family member on social media because of their political views.

According to MK Clarkin, a licensed clinical social worker and executive clinical director of LifeStance Health in St. Louis, Missouri, some mental health experts call political anxiety “electoral stress disorder.”

“People often report a raise anxiety, depressionproblems with focus and more,” she told Fox News Digital. “The feeling of a profound loss of control over one’s personal life, understandably, makes many people feel distressed.”

Experts have shared several coping strategies that will help keep mental health under control during the election.

Christina Kayanan, a licensed therapist in California and executive director of AMFM, suggested practicing grounding techniques, such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, to help take your mind off worrying about the future and bring you back to the present.

“In this exercise you will recognize five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.” – she shared with Fox News Digital. “Grounding can disrupt anxious thoughts and restore a sense of control.”

Creating a self-care routine including mindfulness, meditation, exercise and deep breathing can help calm the nervous system, Kayanan says.

“A routine helps structure your day by giving you something predictable to fall back on,” she said. “Even small, consistent habits like keeping a journal or short walkscan be essential for overcoming anxiety.”

Unhelpful thoughts can include all-or-nothing thinking and catastrophizing, which Kayanan says can increase anxiety.

People need to identify these thinking patterns and challenge them with “evidence-based thinking,” the expert suggested.

For more articles on health, see www.foxnews.com/health

“Ask yourself, ‘What evidence do I have for this opinion?’ Is there another way to look at this situation? “, she advised.

“By reframing troubling thoughts, you can reduce their emotional impact and restore a sense of balance.”

According to Kayanan, both substances can exacerbate anxiety symptoms by overstimulating the nervous system and disrupting our “natural ability” to cope with stress.

Reducing your intake of these substances can help reduce physical anxiety symptoms and help maintain a “more balanced emotional state,” the expert said.

Kayanan advocated setting clear boundaries in relationships, at work or on social media to reduce anxiety.

This can include saying no to certain situations, delegating tasks, and setting limits social networks to prevent overstimulation and exhaustion.

Click here to subscribe to our health newsletter

These limits can also apply to election-related content, about which Clarkin advised people to “be selective.”

“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries around your digital consumption — set ‘screen time’ limits, disable or unsubscribe from accounts that share harmful content, and vet sources,” she advised.

Clarkin also advised against engaging in political discussions on social media.

“Most people don’t post political content with the intention of changing their minds through dialogue,” she said.

“So your energy is better spent on something else.”

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and slowly relaxing different muscle groups “from your toes to your head,” Kayanan said.

The technique can help relieve the physical tension associated with anxiety while increasing your awareness of where stress may be in your body.

“Practice of PMR can lead to greater relaxation and lower overall anxiety levels by promoting the connection between body and mind“, she said.

Those who experience worsening anxiety or ongoing anxiety should seek help from a healthcare professional.

Source of the original article: Polls show the presidential election is worrying most Americans: Here are 6 tips to calm down