The Effects of Elections on Mental Health
Elections can be nerve-wracking, especially amidst the things our nation is currently undergoing — the COVID pandemic, climate change, social and economic instability, and many other stressors. It’s understandable why a person would be struggling with mental health problems during these times. The time before and after elections can be worrisome. You may be worried about the results and how they may affect the state of the nation. It’s important, both before and after the elections, to get help if your mental health has been negatively affected.
At our Palm Beach rehab center, we offer several programs designed to treat various forms of mental illness and substance abuse. Addiction and mental illness often go hand in hand, and we encourage you or someone you know to seek proper mental health treatment to avoid turning to other dangerous coping methods.
How Mental Health is Affected During Elections
The connection between elections and mental health is a growing topic as the nation waits on the final results. Factors including social disparities, climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, and the state of the economy have contributed to the anxiety and stress of voting and elections. You may not realize how much your mental health has been affected by elections. The effects of elections on mental health stem from things you’re doing and political issues you’re worried about. Factors like social media, news, and conversations with others about the elections can take a toll on your mental health. Maintaining a healthy balance between staying involved and taking a break can free you from feeling overwhelmed.
Tips for Managing Your Mental Health Before and After Elections
There are ways to stay informed and share your opinion without endangering your mental state. Here are some ways you can avoid the unsightly effects of elections on mental health.
Limit Your Social Media Time
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you’re constantly finding new things on social media that may ignite arguments or debates. Although social media is a great platform to use for staying updated, it’s important to take a break. Limit yourself to a certain amount of time per day that you’ll spend on social media. Don’t neglect your mental health or other responsibilities by scrolling through Instagram or Facebook for hours. This is also a great way to avoid participating in any online arguments that may be stressful.
Many people may not realize they’re addicted to social media and the internet until it begins to take over their lives. That’s why we offer an internet addiction treatment where our patients learn to overcome their dependency on the internet and change their lives for the better.
Limit Your News Time
Yes, it’s important to stay informed by watching the news, but it’s also the source of much anxiety. Although news channels are excellent platforms for keeping up with the latest changes, they are also meant to arouse an emotional response from its viewers. Whether these emotions are positive or negative, limiting how much time you’re watching the news can prevent you from becoming anxious about elections and other events that are taking place.
Remember Everyone is Different
It’s no surprise that people become so emotionally invested in elections that they begin to argue with each other. It’s important to keep in mind that certain debate points may affect some people more deeply than others. If a specific issue affects you more, it could also affect your mental health. Remember this when discussing political issues with others so you can avoid mental health problems and potentially affecting someone else’s mental health in the process.
Create a Self-Care Routine
Creating a self-care routine is a great way to avoid developing mental illness. Self-care refers to doing positive things that help you relax and let go of any negative emotions or stress. You can take a walk, paint, draw, read, have a spa day, get your nails done, go swimming, essentially anything positive and relaxing.
Get Treatment
If you are struggling with mental health problems during elections, the best thing you can do is get treatment. Mental illness affects the individual as well as their loved ones. Mental health problems can cause people to act out in ways they normally wouldn’t.
At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we know that presidential elections and mental health are a dangerous duo. With treatments like our anxiety management treatment, people can learn about the roots of their mental illness and gain the tools they need to recover.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, do not wait to get help. Call us now at 561-220-3981 to find out how we can help you recover.
