Elections can bring a whirlwind of emotions, from excitement and hope to uncertainty and stress. After an election, many people experience post-election anxiety as they process the potential impacts of the results.
Feeling anxious right now is valid. There are many scary messages from politicians winning US elections that are threatening and overwhelming. Many people feel this way, and it’s easy not to know what to do about it.
It can be challenging to feel our deeper feelings, which may include grief, anger, pain, fear, and more. While it is challenging, it’s also important to stay emotionally engaged and present as much as possible.
There’s some neuroscience behind this and good reasons to engage internally and feel our feelings. Processing what’s happening is important so we can think clearly, get creative, and engage externally to care for ourselves and each other.
- Feeling together in relationships and communities. We need people who help us feel safer now more than ever. Seek guidance from elders, mentors, and folks who have ideas for organizing. Reach out to people you care about and who help you feel connected to groups right now who have your back.
- Escaping by distraction is normal! Be easy on yourself. Do something you feel you need to do (as long as it doesn’t hurt you or others!), not to feel deeply 24/7. If it’s too intense, you may try to focus on moderating your intake of media, news, social media and more.
- Consider titration. Titration is a concept that helps us consider part of coping, which is to take shorter periods of processing our emotions alternating with distraction and/or taking care of our responsibilities. It can take skills and self-awareness to recognize when we’re at capacity and over our emotional limits.
- Staying engaged within your capacity is also key. Our anxiety can be a signal we’re not processing our emotions about something distressing, or it can be a call to action. Joining a book club, reading up on civics, engaging in active communities, volunteering, or donating to causes most impacted by the election can all be good places to start when you recognize that your anxiety is helping you mobilize.
This feeling can linger, affecting daily life and well-being. Recognizing these signs and knowing how to manage them is important, especially when facing the impact of elections on personal and community levels.
What Is Post-Election Anxiety?
Post-election anxiety is the heightened stress, worry, or fear people feel after an election. This stress can stem from real concerns, such as political uncertainty, fear about the future, or discomfort with the election results.
It’s normal to feel anxious after the election when the results feel threatening to values, safety, or basic human rights.
It is not just about political preferences; it can be linked to deep and valid concerns about social justice, equity, and society’s direction after an election. For many, these fears are grounded in very real issues related to discrimination, access to resources, and protection of human rights.
Recognizing Post-Election Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest in different ways. It may show up emotionally, physically, or even behaviorally. If you’re feeling anxious after the election, here are some common signs to watch for:
- Constant Worry or Fear: You may think a lot about the future, unsure about what’s coming. This could be about policies affecting your life, community, or the people you care about.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Stress and anxiety often disrupt sleep. You might find it hard to fall asleep because your mind is racing about the election and its outcomes.
- Tension or Restlessness: Physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or restlessness can accompany post-election anxiety. Feeling constantly “on edge” is a common sign.
- Avoiding News or Conversations: If you find yourself withdrawing from discussions about politics or avoiding the news altogether, it could be a response to post-election anxiety.
- Changes in Mood: Anxiety can cause irritability, sadness, or even anger. Many people are feeling low or anxious or moving between the two right now, and taking time to acknowledge that is important as is finding ways to manage and cope with your emotions and mood.
Understanding the Impact of Social Justice and Community Support
Elections don’t just affect individuals; they have widespread impacts on entire communities. For many, particularly those from marginalized or oppressed groups, elections may stir feelings of vulnerability.
Concerns about social justice, access to basic needs, and human rights are heightened. Social justice theory helps us understand how election policies can either help or harm communities, particularly those that historically faced oppression.
People from these communities might experience post-election anxiety more intensely, as their rights, safety, or well-being may feel threatened by new leadership or policies.
During times of anxiety, community support becomes especially important. Connecting with others who share similar concerns can reduce feelings of isolation.
Steps to Manage Post-Election Anxiety
While it’s normal to feel anxious after an election, it’s important to find ways to manage that anxiety so it doesn’t overwhelm you. Here are a few practical approaches:
Acknowledge Your Feelings
The first step in managing post-election anxiety is recognizing that it’s okay to feel this way. It’s natural to experience heightened emotions after something as impactful as an election. Acknowledging your feelings allows you to start finding ways to cope.
Limit Media Consumption
Constant exposure to news or social media can feed anxiety. While it’s important to stay informed, too much information, especially when it’s negative or sensationalized, can increase stress. Try limiting how much news you consume daily and be mindful of the sources you follow.
Focus on What You Can Control
Post-election anxiety often stems from feeling powerless over larger societal issues. It can be helpful to shift your focus to what you can control in your immediate life. This might include your daily routine, how you engage with your community, or small actions you can take to make a positive difference, such as volunteering or advocating for causes you believe in.
Practice Mindfulness and Make Sure to Rest
Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, can help calm the mind and body. These practices teach you to stay present rather than get overwhelmed by fears about the future. Even short, daily mindfulness exercises can help reduce post-election anxiety.
Making sure you’re resting and finding sustainable ways to engage with your emotions as well as prioritizing your body’s needs, is also key. If we don’t have the energy to engage, it will be harder to make the changes necessary to find collective wellness.
Get Involved in Advocacy or Activism
For some, turning post-election anxiety into action can be empowering. Getting involved in community organizing, social justice advocacy, or supporting movements that align with your values can help transform anxiety into positive change. Working alongside others who share your concerns can provide a sense of purpose and agency.
Staying in touch with people who can help carry hope for the future and can center that perspective when it’s difficult to see things changing for the better can also help immensely.
A Holistic Approach to Seek Support
Managing post-election anxiety can feel overwhelming, but professional support offers relief through integrated approaches combining neuroscience, anti-oppression, somatics, and mindfulness.
- Neuroscience: Working with your nervous system by understanding your neurotype and how your brain processes information can be beneficial to keep in mind right now. ADHDers, HSPs, Autistic, and Gifted people may feel more intensely than ever when the collective and minoritized people are being targeted and threatened.
Also, understanding how your unique nervous system responds to real and perceived danger is especially helpful as you may enter patterns and rhythms that can cause extra distress right now too.
- Anti-Oppression: Therapists trained in anti-oppressive methods validate how systemic inequalities impact mental health, offering a compassionate and empowering perspective.
- Somatics: Techniques like body awareness, grounding exercises, and breathwork release anxiety stored in the body and calm the nervous system.
- Mindfulness: Practices such as meditation, mindful movement, and daily grounding reduce stress and cultivate present-moment awareness.
Therapists often blend these methods, creating a personalized path to healing. Seeking support is an act of care, helping you build resilience and foster solidarity in uncertain times.
The Importance of Anti-Oppression in Post-Election Support
In times of post-election anxiety, it’s essential to remember the role of anti-oppression work. Elections can sometimes result in policies or leaders that perpetuate systems of inequality.
Those affected may feel a greater sense of fear or uncertainty. An anti-oppression approach emphasizes standing up for marginalized groups and working towards a more equitable society.
Supporting others particularly vulnerable after an election can make a big difference, whether through direct action or by being a compassionate ally. It can also help build stronger, more resilient communities in the face of anxiety.
Final Thoughts
Post-election anxiety touches many lives, and its impact can be deeply felt, particularly for those invested in social justice and the well-being of their communities. Understanding the signs of this anxiety and taking steps like staying connected to supportive networks or focusing on manageable aspects of life can make a meaningful difference.
Practicing mindfulness, reducing media consumption, or channeling energy into advocacy are some ways to address the overwhelming emotions that are coming up in response to the election. Approaching post-election anxiety with compassion for yourself and others can help to foster strength, balance, and solidarity during times of uncertainty.
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