If the next presidential election is stress you outyou are not alone. More than 69 percent of American adults feel the same way, according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association.
The survey, conducted online in August by The Harris Poll on behalf of the APA, included more than 3,300 adults aged 18 or older residing in the United States.
Other top stressors include the future of the nation, weighing on 77% of adults surveyed.
Andrew Peyton, a California resident, told CBS News he was feeling stress.
“It doesn’t help to have your phone vibrating with headlines and all that. There’s always some sort of stress radiation going on in the background,” he said.
Vanessa Apkenas, another California resident, said her stress “stems from the political landscape of the last few years.”
Compared to the previous two US presidential elections, stress levels in this survey were similar to those in the 2020 electionsbut significantly higher than in 2016.
“What sets the 2024 poll apart from previous APA election surveys is the collective stress over the potential fallout from the election results,” notes a press release about the survey.
“More than 70 percent of people are concerned about election violence or resulting violence,” APA CEO Arthur C. Evans told CBS News. “And more than half say they fear this election could mean the end of democracy. And what’s striking is that Democrats and Republicans aren’t that different on these two issues.”
Despite the stress, more than 60% of adults surveyed are hopeful about the changes the elections will bring.
If you’re not feeling positive, experts say there are ways to cope.
“When it comes to election-related stress, getting involved in the political process is an important way to manage our stress,” Evans said. “Limiting the amount of information you take in, especially when you’re tired, is also another very important coping strategy.”
Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma recently told CBS News that she suggests setting a timer on social media apps to limit doom scrolling and setting limits on phone notifications.
“It’s really important to have and create sacred spaces throughout your day where you’re not getting constant notifications,” she said. “(For) a lot of people – when you’re having a conversation, you’re at the table – the phone is constantly telling you, every moment, what’s happening in the news, and it’s really hard to pay attention to it , be productive, be able to communicate with family members.”
Focusing on what you can control can also help, psychologist Dr. Susan Albers of the Cleveland Clinic previously told CBS Pittsburgh.
“We have a natural tendency to want to feel in control and elections can undermine that feeling of control,” she said. “We need to focus on what we can control versus what we can’t, whether it’s your daily routine, exercise, and self-care.”
