Protecting Your Physical and Mental Health During Election Season

In this episode, Tamara Fidler discusses the impact of elections on physical and mental health. She introduces the concept of election stress syndrome and explores the evidence linking elections to health issues. Tamara highlights the increase in hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases and the rise in mental health challenges during election seasons. She provides strategies to manage election stress, including setting boundaries for news consumption, seeking support from mental health professionals, and practicing mindfulness. Tamara emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about the voting process and candidates to reduce anxiety.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Elections can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health.
• Hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases increase during election periods.
• Mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, tend to spike during elections.
• Setting boundaries for news consumption and curating reliable news sources can help manage election stress.
• Seeking support from mental health professionals and engaging in community activities can alleviate feelings of alienation.
• Practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present moment can reduce political anxiety.
• Continuing to educate oneself about the voting process and candidates is important for informed decision-making and reducing anxiety.