Experts weigh-in on coping with Election Day stress

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ELECTION DAY IS FINALLY HERE AND YOU LIKELY HAVE HEARD RELATIVES OR FRIENDS IN RECENT DAYS SAY “ I CAN’T WAIT ‘TIL ITS OVER”. SOME FEEL THERE IS A NATIONAL ANXIETY THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE ELECTION. PEOPLE WANT THEIR CANDIDATE TO WIN SO BADLY IT DEEPLY AFFECTS THEM. MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THAT ANXIETY ACTUALLY RISES ONCE WE CAST OUR VOTES THEN WAIT FOR THE RESULT.
DR. FAITH COLEMAN, FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, WHO ALSO WORKED IN A FAMILY PRACTICE, HAS THESE SUGGESTIONS. TRY NOT TO FOCUS ON THE OUTCOME. IT’S NOT A CATASTROPHE IF YOUR CANDIDATE DOESN’T WIN, INSTEAD FOCUS YOUR ENERGY ON A FAVORITE HOBBY OR A SPECIFIC CAUSE THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
ALSO, SHE SAYS WE TEND TO OVEREMPHASIZE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS. INSTEAD, KEEP IN MIND THAT WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY WILL STILL BE THERE, NO MATTER THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.
YOU’VE HEARD THE ADAGE THAT “MISERY LOVES COMPANY”, DOCTOR COLEMAN SAYS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BECOME WHAT SHE CALLS A TOXIC RESERVOIR.
INSTEAD SHE ENCOURAGES SOCIAL INTERACTION IN-PERSON WHETHER IT BE OVER COFFEE OR A MEAL.
PSYCHIATRIST DR. SUE VARMA TOLD CBS NEWS, SOMETHING SIMILAR. SHE SAYS TO AVOID WHAT IS CALLED **DOOMSCROLLING** WHICH MEANS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME READING NEWS THAT UPSETS YOU.
FINALLY, MOST EXPERTS AGREE EXERCISE IS A GREAT REMEDY FOR STRESS AND ANXIETY. GETTING IN SOME MOVEMENT OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAN HELP DECREASE THOSE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS. FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP