Millions of mail-in votes, unprecedented voter turnout and a delayed final vote count has made the 2020 election unlike any other. As the nation anxiously awaits the final results of the election, it’s nearly impossible to avoid politics on social media, in television and in daily conversation, and that can get exhausting. According to NPR, election fatigue – or political fatigue syndrome – occurs when we become disinterested or apathetic about voting because we’re overwhelmed. There is a constant struggle between the desire to stay informed with the overwhelming messages that bombard us daily, but there are some ways that you can balance staying politically active with staying sane. Here are five ways to get over your election fatigue this month.
- Step away from social media
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Overwhelmed by the constant posts on your feed? Taking a break from social media might actually relieve some of the stress and exhaustion you’re feeling. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that around 55% of adult social media users say they feel “worn out” by how many political posts and discussions they see on social media.
For some, like Ciarah Cruz, an Interdisciplinary Studies major at Texas A&M University, it’s easier to step away from social media during the election cycle. “My [timeline] was filled with negativity,” says Ciarah, “Social media can get so polarizing and I felt like my voice wasn’t heard and was being criticized.”
Instead of staying on the gram, you can spend your time pursuing a hobby, accomplishing daily to-dos or focusing on self-care to relieve some stress.
- Find another outlet
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Do slow election results have you anxious? Fuel your excess energy into something creative. According to an article by Medical News Today, studies have shown that creativity helps relieve stress and can improve overall physical and mental health.
Ciarah has found that funneling the extra time she has after taking a break on social media into her business. “I have a beauty business, so staying active with that is keeping me busy and I guess that’s how I take a break from it all,” says Ciarah.
Whether you funnel your energy into a business or an artistic hobby, finding a creative outlet can help funnel your nervous energy and kill time as you await results.
- Get outside
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Though exercise may be the last thing you want to do when stressed or anxious, it really does help. Studies have shown that as little as 30 minutes of daily physical activity is enough to relieve stress, according to the American Psychological Association.
For Melanie Cruz, a Political Science major at Texas A&M University, spending time with family outdoors has allowed her to feel like a kid again and to relax. “When I’m like hanging out with them, it’s like, wow, this is what it feels to be, like, just genuinely happy and doing something so small as being on a swing — people forget about those little moments because they’re so caught up on everything that’s happening in their adult life,” says Melanie.
In a time of political chaos, connecting with nature can also help center yourself and find some balance.
- Identify what matters most
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You can stay informed and not stay or become overwhelmed with the news cycle. By identifying the issues that are important to you, you can focus your energy on staying informed on specific topics or on the people you value the most.
For Melanie, time with family has allowed her to remember why she stays involved in politics. “I think of like, the break for me is spending time with them and realizing I’m trying to work towards for your society for when you’re my age, to at least have at it a little bit better and you don’t have to struggle to figure out the issues or fix the issues that my current generation has,” she says.
While you can’t control the results of the election, you can control what issues you decide to prioritize. Focusing on what matters most to you may relieve the feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Be kind to yourself
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However you choose to manage your stress levels, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Forgive yourself if you feel you aren’t able to keep up with everything happening in the world. It’s important to check in with yourself and take time for self care, while keeping in mind that while staying involved and active in politics is important, it doesn’t rest entirely on your shoulders.
Let’s face it, political exhaustion and stress are real, and it can get to the best of us. Regardless of how you choose to stay informed in today’s political climate, by staying politically active you are fulfilling a critical role in the democratic process. As we await the results of the 2020 election, take a moment to breathe and recognize that despite the stress surrounding the election, you are living during a monumental time in history.