Your Mental Health: Combatting election anxiety – Spectrum News

Your Mental Health: Combatting election anxiety  Spectrum News

An American Psychological Association survey found that thoughts about the nation’s future cause a significant source of stress. With the midterm elections approaching, many of you may be working to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Three out of four Americans say they feel anxiety this year, with an American Psychological Association survey finding that thoughts about the nation’s future are a significant source of stress. Alleviating election anxiety doesn’t mean you have to stop caring about politics. But when the constant stream of information starts affecting your sleep, relationships or ability to concentrate, experts say it’s time to reset. "Politics have a pretty significant impact on our lives and on our values, but it can be easy to believe that I as an individual have no control or no impact over the outcome, and that is what ratches up our anxiety," said Laura Vogel, a licensed psychologist.

"It's the belief of big impact, but little control." Instead of focusing on things you can’t control, focus on what you can. Make a voting plan, volunteer for a cause you believe in or talk with someone you trust. Protecting your mental health may also mean protecting your relationships. A new Pew Research Center survey found more than half of Americans have stopped discussing political news with someone because of something that person