Election season can bring a lot of emotions—excitement, frustration, even uncertainty. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when results don’t go as we hoped. But there’s a helpful way to cope with election stress: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you stay calm by focusing on how you respond to thoughts and events. With some simple CBT techniques, you can ease election stress, feel more in control, and protect your emotional well-being.
How Election Stress Affects Us
It’s normal to feel stressed during an election. So much is at stake, and it’s easy to worry about the future. This can make us feel anxious and powerless. But much of this stress comes from our thoughts. CBT shows that it’s not the events themselves but how we react to them that shapes our feelings. By changing how we think about the election, we can feel less stressed and more grounded.
What is CBT, and How Can It Help?
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a way to manage stress by noticing and changing unhelpful thoughts. When election news triggers worry or negative feelings, CBT helps you stop, rethink, and choose a calmer response. This approach can be especially helpful during election season, when stress can run high.
Key CBT Techniques for Election Stress
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Notice Your Thoughts
One of the first steps in CBT is catching stressful thoughts. For example, you might think, “Nothing will get better” or “Everything is going downhill.” These thoughts feel heavy, but they’re often just worries, not facts. Ask yourself, “Is this thought based on real information?” or “Is there another way to see this?” These questions help you see things more clearly and feel less overwhelmed.
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Replace Extreme Thoughts with Balanced Ones
CBT teaches that our thinking can be extreme when we’re stressed. For example, instead of thinking, “This result is a disaster,” try shifting to, “I can still make a difference.” Finding a balanced view helps you reduce worry and keeps you focused on what you can do.
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Limit News and Social Media
It’s tempting to keep up with every election update, but this can increase stress. Set limits on how often you check the news, and focus on reliable sources. This small step can make a big difference in helping you stay calm and focused.
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Practice Grounding Exercises
Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or short meditations, are core CBT tools. Try taking a few deep breaths or focusing on something around you to stay in the present moment. This keeps your mind from racing and helps you feel steady.
Finding Calm, No Matter the Outcome
Election cycles come and go, but the CBT skills you build can help you handle all kinds of stress. By practicing CBT, you can feel better during uncertain times and build confidence in your ability to handle challenges.
At Killian Counseling Services LLC, we can help you learn CBT techniques to reduce stress and improve your well-being. Whether you’re struggling with election anxiety or another life challenge, we’re here to support you with skilled, compassionate therapy.
Ready to build calm and resilience? Contact us to schedule a session with our Montclair-based team, available online across New Jersey.