Is Election Anxiety Keeping You Awake at Night?

This is a non-partisan article intentionally designed not to sell you anything. 
Not a product or a service or a political point of view. These words are to offer you a refuge 
from the present stress and some tips on how to find some peace.  I hope it helps.  Harmony

ARTICLE READ BY HARMONY THIESSEN

Election Anxiety – How to Find Personal Calm in Political Chaos

Trust me, you’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed by the current political climate. Election anxiety is valid, your concerns are understandable, and your emotional exhaustion is a natural response to the rhetoric and politically motivated anger in the air.

I invite you to take a moment, take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and give yourself time to read this article or listen to the audio version. You can find a place of peace inside yourself without giving up your firmly held values.

You’re Part of a Long Human Story

First, it might help to know that you’re not the first to feel this way. Throughout history, countless Americans have grappled with similar fears and anxieties during pivotal elections. During the Great Depression, families huddled around radios, their hearts heavy with uncertainty about their future. In 1968, a nation divided by civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War experienced collective anxiety that mirrors what many feel today. Even the seemingly distant election of 1860, which proceeded with the Civil War, saw families and friends struggling with emotions that might feel familiar to you right now – fear, uncertainty, and worry about the future of their nation.

There is no question about the stakes of the 2024 US presidential election. All sides see this election as a pivotal point in our history. I don’t negate its importance. Yet the life of this nation of individuals has continued for 248 years as of this writing. It will continue, in one form or another, after you and I are gone. So I write to the people. To your life, your loves, your joy, and precious moments. I write for your health, your heart, blood pressure, and addictions. I write to your mental well-being, view on life, and ability to experience the wonder of being alive. You and I are more than politics.

Recognizing What’s Happening Within You

If you’ve noticed changes in yourself lately, you’re not imagining things. Many people are experiencing what Dr. Steven Stosny calls “election stress disorder.” Do any of the symptoms sound familiar?

Your mind races when you should be sleeping
You find yourself checking news updates compulsively. Regular tasks feel harder to focus on
Your stomach tightens when politics comes up
You feel distant from loved ones who view things differently
Simple disagreements feel more intense than they should

These are natural responses to stress, not signs of weakness. Your body and mind are reacting to what they perceive as a threat. Understanding this is the first step toward finding balance.

The Hidden Cost of the Load You Carry

Take a moment to reflect: When was the last time you fully enjoyed a family dinner without politics creeping into your thoughts? When did you last have a lighthearted conversation with that friend whose views differ from yours? What simple pleasures have you been missing while your mind has been occupied with political concerns?

Dr. Brené Brown, who has spent years studying human connection, puts it beautifully: “When we stop caring about what people think about our political opinions and start caring about being in relationship with them, everything changes.” This isn’t about abandoning your values but reclaiming your right to joy, connection, and peace of mind.

How to Find Your Way Back to Peace

Here are practical steps you can take:

1. Set Loving Boundaries: It’s okay to limit your news exposure. Dr. Daniel Goleman suggests checking updates at specific times rather than constantly throughout the day. Allow your mind to focus on the things that concern and reward your daily life.

2. Create Safety Zones: Designate specific spaces or times as politics-free. Maybe it’s the dinner table, Sunday afternoons, or your bedroom. These become your sanctuary spaces.

3. Reconnect with Joy: What activities used to please you before politics consumed so much mental space? Maybe your job? The commute to work listening to your favorite music? Reading, gardening, cooking, walking? These aren’t frivolous – they’re essential to your well-being.

4. Preserve Precious Relationships: Dr. Robert Waldinger’s 75-year Harvard study on happiness reveals that good relationships are the key to a fulfilling life. Can you find ways to connect with loved ones beyond political discussions?

Limiting beliefs are powerful until you understand they are only beliefs, not facts!

They are your beliefs so have the power to change them.

Let’s Do a Reality Check!

Kerry Egan, a hospice chaplain who has sat with countless people in their final moments, shares something profound: No one at the end of life talks about political victories or defeats. Instead, they speak of love, relationships, and small moments that mattered. You can find her book ON LIVING here or at any locally-owned neighborhood bookstore.

Consider these words from real people reflecting on their lives:

“I wish I hadn’t worked so hard and had spent more time with my family.”
“I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings and stay in touch with my friends.”
“I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

Notice what’s missing from these regrets? No one wishes they’d spent more time worrying about politics. And no matter how catastrophic all the noise – and no matter which side you think is the worst and the best – it won’t matter in the big picture of YOUR life. What will matter is how you live your life.

An Invitation to Reflect

Take a quiet moment. Close your eyes. Imagine yourself many years from now, looking back on this time. What would you want to remember?

The laughter shared with friends?
The way your child’s face lit up when you were fully present with them?
The meaningful moments of connection with your community?
The kindness you showed others and how that makes you feel, regardless of their views?

An Option for You – Peace and a Path Forward

You can remain true to your values without sacrificing your peace. Here’s how:

Start your day with a moment of gratitude before checking any news.
When anxiety rises, focus on what’s within your control.
Look for ways to make a positive difference in your immediate community.
Nurture relationships that bring you joy
Practice compassion – for others and especially for yourself

Your Invitation to Peace

Remember: Your worth isn’t tied to political outcomes. Your true legacy is your capacity to love, show kindness, and bring light to others’ lives. These qualities transcend any election, any political figure, or any moment in time.

In these challenging times, be gentle with yourself. Your anxiety is understandable, but it doesn’t define you. Your political views matter, but they’re not more important than your peace of mind, relationships, or joy in living.

Take a deep breath. Look around at the beauty in your life. Notice the small moments. Ask more questions that you give answers. Hold your loved ones close. These are the things that truly matter, now and always.

You are more than your political views. You are a human being worthy of peace, connection, and joy. And no election can change that fundamental truth.