Tips for Coping with Election Day Stress

With the elections only a few more days away, election stress is getting to many of us. We are constantly bombarded by phone calls, mail fliers and negative television ads. It's enough to make you grind your teeth and reach for the Tums.

Psychologists say economic uncertainty isn't helping. "Human beings, generally we do better in periods of calm, stability and certainty," said Illinois psychologist Nancy Molitor who said this election season is the most anxious she's seen her patients in 20 years of practice. All this anxiety is causing sleep problems, edginess, irritability and concentration problems.

Elections are a major stress producer because people vote from a "very, very core place in their personalities," said Lisa Miller, an associate professor of psychology at Columbia University Teachers College in New York. She said we tend to project our hopes and fears onto presidential candidates, expecting them to protect us keep us safe.

When you start to feel overly stress about the election, here are some things experts say will help:

• Step back. Shut down the computer, turn of the TV, stop answering the phone and close the newspaper. Avoid getting into political arguments with friends and colleagues.
• Be pro-active. Volunteer to help your candidate. If you're actively working for what you believe in you'll won't feel powerless which is at the root of much election anxiety.
• Take care of yourself. Stress wears you down physically and mentally. Make sure you eat healthfully, exercise and get enough sleep. The very act of taking control of something decreases stress.
• Be realistic. Every candidate has both strong and weak points. No candidate is all good or all bad, despite what you may hear. The country has always survived no matter who was elected. Though ideas and view may differ, each candidate is sincerely trying to do his best for the country. And remember, our forefathers mandated a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one person or viewpoint can rule. The President must be supported by Congress and vice versa which guarantees a fair amount of balance and compromise in governmental decisions.
• Change the subject. When you can't take it anymore, just change the subject. Agree to disagree. Go for a walk, get out in nature, do something that takes your mind off politics.
• Remember to vote. Make sure you go to the polls and cast your ballot on Tuesday, November 4. Whether your candidate wins or loses, you'll know your voice was heard!