Over the past few years, there has been consistent anxiety over the current divisiveness between both political parties. Today is election day, billions of dollars have been spent on campaigning for this day. Even among a heightened and stressed filled year, today seems like the end is in sight. Even after today, we may not know the results until a few days after.
Here are some tips to keep yourself sane during the waiting period:
- Find other things to keep busy
- Changing environments can be used to control anxiety.
- Try to put your phone in other rooms to void checking the news.
- The times when you know you are most suspective to be on your phone, try to do something that else that makes you happy, like going on a walk or reading a book, watching a movie, etc.
- Try to avoid your phone
- Even though you want to keep informed, make sure it is from credible sources.
- Deleting social media apps can limit the information you have access to and may relieve some stress. This makes it a bit more difficult to access information.
- Keep TV off
- Having the tv on in the background without any report of results can add more unnecessary stress.
When you made it through most of the day, most results begin to trickle in around 7 pm, when polls begin to close. Do not expect full results due to an increase of mail voting that can delay counted votes. Remember that the beginning and end of the night will be skewed in some stats because of the order votes are counted in.
Today will definitely be a roller coaster of emotions, remember to keep safe and check on your loved ones.
