Dr Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medicine physician and contributor at Fox News Medical, shared her tips for coping with election stress
A top doctor has shared their tips for de-stressing after one of the most tumultuous presidential elections in modern American history.
Donald Trump was elected President for a second time over Vice President Kamala Harris after several states saw record voter turnouts.
It was also one of the most stressful elections in recent history.
A survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that nearly eight in 10 Americans considered the future of the nation a significant source of stress in their lives.
And 69 percent said they were specifically anxious about the election, with more than half reporting that they think the election could end democracy in with US.
Dr Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medicine physician and contributor at Fox News Medical, said the phenomenon, dubbed election stress syndrome, is not just being overly sensitive but ‘a real medical condition that must be addressed.’
She added: ‘The fact is that political issues impact all of us both mentally and physically, but it’s important we maintain our health throughout.’
Left untreated, intense stress can also cause an influx of ‘fight-or-flight’ hormones that trigger physical symptoms like high blood pressure, diarrhea, and even stroke.
Donald Trump pulled off an astounding political comeback and was elected President for the second time. He is pictured on stage to address his supporters on November 6
Dr Nesheiwat said: ‘Election stress can stem from a range of psychological and social factors. The stress surrounding elections especially in today’s environment can create or exacerbate health issues like anxiety or depression.
‘Factors such as uncertainty, fear of the unknown, fear of change, and a lack of control over outcomes play significant roles.
‘Combine that with 24/7 news coverage and constant social media updates, and people are bombarded with information that can feel drastically overwhelming.’
Dr Nesheiwat noted that political differences can create tension and social pressures to take a stance on certain issues, especially in the immediate aftermath of the election.
She suggests staying connected to supportive people like friends and family.
She said: ‘Isolation can make stress feel worse, so reach out to someone you trust.’
However, make sure to carve out time with that support system to talk about anything other than politics and set boundaries to avoid dwelling too much on negative emotions.
Dr Nesheiwat recommends taking the time to focus on hobbies like reading or baking, or even picking up a new sport ‘like pickleball or hiking.’
She said: ‘Exercise and activity releases endorphins, your happy hormones which help reduce stress.’
A 2017 study, for example, found that endorphins increased the most with at least an hour of vigorous exercise like high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
However, even light exercise like walking has been associated with decreases in anxiety and depression after a stressful event, according to a study published last year.
If you’re still overwhelmed with anxiety after the election, Dr Nesheiwat recommends seeking professional help.
She said: ‘Reach out to your doctor or a therapist to help cope with the emotional and mental stress. Therapy and sometimes medications can help you manage these challenges.’
