The Upside to Your Election Stress

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We Have To Talk About…

The Upside to Your Election Stress

Regardless of political affiliation, there's one thing most voters agree on: This election is stressful. Over 70% of Skimm readers are concerned about the country’s future. Plus, women feel less hopeful than men about the change this election will bring, according to a recent American Psychological Association (APA) poll. 

The negative messaging around the potential results also doesn’t help: “There are … increasingly catastrophic narratives [on both sides] about what will happen if your party doesn’t win, which makes people feel anxious,” says Alexandra Straytner, PhD, a psychologist who has patients dealing with election stress. But what if we told you that stress could be good?

Okay, but how?

It may sound counterintuitive, but moderate stress can be motivating and empowering. “Stress has led to really important changes historically because when you feel stressed about something, you're motivated to put the work in to make a change in the world,” says Straytner.

Maybe it’s energized someone to make a voting plan, encourage others to vote, or get involved in or donate to a campaign. The APA found that 77% of adults plan to vote in this election (for context, voter turnout was at 66% in 2020). And that 51% feel “more compelled to volunteer or support causes they value” — a 6% increase from a pre-2020 election poll. 

Your move:

Despite all of the above, dealing with stress can still be overwhelming. Here are Straytner’s tips for how to cope:

• Pick a specific time for the news. It’s easy to feel inundated with coverage and have it impact other aspects of your life. If reading the news in the morning ruins your day, carve out another time that works better. 

• Stay in the present. If you find yourself anxious about the results, tell yourself, “I don't need to focus on that right now.” This isn’t always easy, but just acknowledging that your mind is shifting to Election Day can help bring the focus back to the present. 

• Identify your support system. Make plans with them ahead of and on Election Day. If you’d rather be alone, that’s OK too. Enjoy some self-care or snuggles with your pet.

• Get help. If you can’t focus, complete your regular tasks, or feel hopeless, reach out to a mental health professional. You can also text "ELECTION” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line.   

Ask An Expert

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

What ingredients should I look for or avoid in protein powder?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Andrea Soares

Registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in sports nutrition at Top Nutrition Coaching

Look for…

✅ Protein isolates or concentrates: These are purer than protein blends or hydrolysates. Look for whey protein isolate or concentrate.

✅ Digestive enzymes: You may see them listed as papain, bromelain, amylase, or lipase — they can improve protein digestion and absorption. 

✅ Added nutrients: Additional vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants — like vitamins D and B12, or omega-3s — can improve muscle recovery, give you more energy, and boost immunity.

❌ Here’s what you want to avoid.

TOGETHER WITH FORD

Pop Quiz

It’s no secret that spending time in nature is good for us, but which of the following is not a benefit of spending time in the great outdoors?

A. Lowering stress levels

B. Improving mood

C. Enhancing memory

D. Boosting immunity

The answer is…C. While it won’t make your memory better, green space is (clearly) a big deal for your health.

An ideal companion for your next outdoor adventure? The new 2025 Ford Explorer^® SUV. The available Ford BlueCruise driver-assist technology^† takes the stress out of a long drive, keeping you refreshed — and ready for your next outdoor adventure. Go on, take the scenic route — it’s good for you.

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