Americans Describe an Election Day Overflowing with Nerves—and Offer a Game-Plan for Calm
The Nation’s Pulse
Across coffee shops, playgrounds and office towers, a familiar refrain is echoing: “I just want this day to be over.”
Voters from coast to coast say the tension surrounding the presidential contest is impossible to ignore. Kay Hanley, a small-business owner in Los Angeles County, summed up the mood for many when she told reporters, “My stomach flips every time my phone buzzes.”
Political insiders note that the angst is bipartisan. “Left, right or center, Americans believe the very idea of free and fair elections is on the line,” observes Anthony Salvanto, elections analyst at CBS. “That shared fear turbo-charges stress.”
Eight Simple Ways to Protect Your Peace
Psychologists, psychiatrists and wellness coaches share a near-unanimous message: reclaim ownership of the things you can influence. Their go-to strategies include:
- Move your body, shift your brain. A brisk twenty-minute walk, impromptu dance party or backyard stretching session releases endorphins that tamp down cortisol, the stress hormone.
- Defend your morning and bedtime. Whether it’s yoga sunrise flow or a cup of chamomile at night, rituals anchor the day and remind you that life is larger than any news cycle.
- Guard your scroll time.
- Set a 10-minute timer before opening a platform.
- Unfollow accounts that spike your heart rate.
- Curate one reliable source for updates instead of bouncing between headlines.
- Create phone-free zones. Silence alerts during dinner, family check-ins—even elevator rides. Dr. Sue Varma recommends treating these pockets of time as “emotional rest areas.”
- Schedule joy on purpose. Re-watch a favorite sitcom, bake something outrageously chocolatey, or video-chat a friend who always makes you laugh. Pleasurable acts do not equal escapism; they equal maintenance.
- Talk less politics, more passions. Swap fiery debate for discussions about books, pets, or that ridiculous new recipe you tried. Your relationships will thank you.
- Leverage your vote, then let go. The act of casting a ballot delivers a powerful shot of agency, argues APA’s Arthur C. Evans. Once you’ve done your part, shift attention to what remains in your control.
- Lean on the pros when needed. If racing thoughts, sleepless nights or stomach knots persist, a licensed therapist, clergy member or support group can provide tools tailored to you.
One Last Thought
This single day may feel monumental, but your nervous system was built for marathons— not sprints. By tending to body, mind, and meaningful connection right now, you’re safeguarding the resilience you’ll need tomorrow, and every day after.
Election stress in kids
Calm in the Chaos: Tuned-In Tactics for Parents & Kids During Election Fever
Election cycles don’t stop at the polling station. They sneak into living rooms, whisper across kitchen tables, and show up in the nervous energy vibrating off every screen. Even tiny couch surfers who can’t yet spell “candidate” feel the ripple—and parents are noticing.
The Ripple Effect
Young people overhear debates at home, scroll past tension-filled headlines on tablets, and sense mood swings before anyone says a word. When stress becomes contagious, guardians become first responders.
Mental-Health Insight From the Front Lines
Dr. Matt Edelstein, a Johns Hopkins–affiliated psychologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute, tells families to treat election stress like any other emotion in the house:
“Name the worry, respect the worry, and show how to manage the worry.”
Three Moves That Matter
- Open the Door. Invite conversation instead of shutting it down. Kids who speak up about anxiety need to know they’re heard.
- Filter the Feed. Limit the endless loop of talking heads and breaking banners. Replace doomscrolling with short, scheduled check-ins.
- Model the Mood. Show balanced behavior—acknowledge frustration, then demonstrate breathing techniques or walk-it-off moments.
At-Home Toolbox for Families
1. Story Time, Not Stress Time
Pair nightly news with a post-segment chat—frame headlines in kid-friendly language and emphasize the helpers in every story.
2. Emotion Cards
Let each family member pick a card that describes their feelings before dinner. Discuss the choices openly, then brainstorm small coping actions (think gratitude lists, short breaks, or silly dance parties).
3. Tech-Free Buffer Zones
Create “no-device dinners” or “screenless Saturdays” so election noise doesn’t own every waking hour.
Closing Takeaway
Kids mirror adults. When guardians manage stress with transparency and steady routines, children learn that big feelings don’t have to overtake small hearts—even during the loudest political season.
