Last-Minute Tips for Coping with Election Stress and Anxiety, According to Experts Election season can be a pressure cooker, leaving many feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and stress.

If you're feeling the crunch as election day approaches, experts offer these last-minute coping strategies to help you navigate the emotional rollercoaster: 1.

Limit News Consumption: Constantly bombarding yourself with news updates, especially from unreliable or inflammatory sources, fuels anxiety.

Dr.

[Fictional Expert Name, PhD, Psychologist], suggests setting specific times for news consumption and sticking to reputable sources.

"Information overload is a real problem," she explains.

"Choose a few credible sources, check them once or twice a day, and then step away.

" 2.

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care: The experts agree: self-care is crucial.

Engage in activities that soothe you – a calming bath, meditation, yoga, listening to music, spending time in nature.

"Mindfulness exercises, even for just five minutes, can help ground you in the present moment and reduce feelings of overwhelm," says Dr.

[Fictional Expert Name, MD, Psychiatrist].

3.

Connect with Loved Ones: Sharing your feelings with trusted friends and family provides vital support.

Avoid engaging in heated political debates with those who hold differing views; instead, focus on connecting on a personal level.

"Human connection is a powerful antidote to stress," notes Dr.

[Fictional Expert Name, LCSW, Social Worker].

4.

Engage in Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.

A brisk walk, a short workout, or even some stretching can make a difference.

"Physical activity is a natural stress reliever," says Dr.

[Fictional Expert Name, Exercise Physiologist].

5.

Accept What You Can't Control: The outcome of the election is outside your control.

Focusing on what you can control – your own actions, reactions, and well-being – reduces anxiety.

Dr.

[Fictional Expert Name, PhD, Psychologist] advises, "Acknowledge your feelings, but don't let them paralyze you.

Remember that you are resilient, and you will get through this.

" 6.

Prepare for Potential Outcomes: While you can't control the results, preparing for different scenarios can alleviate some anxiety.

Consider what you'll do emotionally and practically depending on the outcome.

This doesn't mean accepting a negative outcome, but it does mean having a plan to cope, emotionally and logistically.

7.

Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your anxiety is overwhelming and impacting your daily life, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.

They can provide you with personalized coping strategies and support.

Remember, it's okay to feel stressed during an election.

By utilizing these strategies and prioritizing your mental health, you can navigate this period with greater ease and resilience.

This too shall pass.

say they're feeling stressed by the presidential election, and emotions and tensions continue to mount as .

"Like everybody else, there's a lot of nervousness and angst," California voter Kay Hanley told TheNews.

"Democrats and Republicans tell us that they feel that democracy is under threat. So all of that, at the very least, puts high stakes into this election," TheNews Elections and Surveys Director Anthony Salvanto , noting that people are feeling the pressure no matter their political party. 

So, how can we keep that stress and anxiety in check? Here's what experts around the country suggest: 

Exercise: While it may be the last thing on your mind, getting in some movement or other activities you enjoy can help decrease stress. 

For example, don't neglect "typical self-care routines that we all have that include the physical activation; engaging in activities that are pleasurable; making sure that discussions that we have with friends or family members are not necessarily around the topics that are currently stressful," Dr. Emanuel Maidenberg, clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, .

Try to establish some boundaries for your own well-being.

"We have a natural tendency to want to feel in control, and the elections can undermine that feeling of control," psychologist Dr. Susan Albers of the Cleveland Clinic previously . "...We need to focus on what we can control versus what we can't, whether that is your daily routine, exercise and self-care."

Stay off or limit social media: "Use it to get information and not validation," stress management expert Jon Gordon told TheNews. "Don't tie your identity or your own mental health to what you're watching."

Falling into  or spending excessive time reading news that upsets you, can impact you in a negative way. 

"Being exposed to so many news that are not always positive or happy or encouraging leads to more sense of distress," Maidenberg said. 

Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma recently  she suggests setting a timer on social media apps to limit doomscrolling and setting boundaries on phone notifications. 

"It's really important to have and carve out sacred spaces throughout your day where you don't have constant notifications," she said. "(For) a lot of people — when you're having conversations, you're at the dinner table — that the phone is constantly telling you, moment by moment, what's happening in the news, and that's really hard to pay attention, to be productive, to be able to connect with family members."

Avoid talking politics: Make your voice heard at the ballot box, rather than in tense conversations, experts say. 

"For election-related stress, being engaged in the political process is an important way to manage our stress," American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans said.

It's not just adults who are feeling election-related anxiety. Even those too young to vote can feel stress around the election, especially if they see how their parents are handling their emotions.

Dr. Matt Edelstein, a clinical psychologist with the Kennedy Krieger Institute, that parents should discuss the emotions of election season with their children. 

"Acknowledge their stress," Edelstein said. "It validates their feelings and helps them connect what they are feeling to what's really happening in the world."

Edelstein also suggests managing overwhelming media exposure.

"What's important is that we explain our emotions to our kids and model how we can have emotions and still be regulated and rational," he said.