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    • I’m not kidding. Politics the main cause of stress in America.
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    I’m not kidding. Politics the main cause of stress in America.

    Online Niel Posted on

    One upside to the stress: People are motivated to volunteer and voted early in record numbers

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    I don’t remember feeling this terrible in the run up to the 2020 election. Now that could be due to revisionist history and memory failing me or the fact that I didn’t have a 1 year old to tire me out then. Ever since President Joe Biden, though doomed debate in June, the weight of this election, and the news cycle that amplifies it, took a impact on my mental health — and, apparently, many others.

    I felt like I was going through the different stages of grief, although nothing was lost or gained yet. It’s not just stress and anxiety over the prospect of losing my presidential candidate or whatever, though the party will control US Senate or House of Representatives after November 5th. It’s a deeper sadness and frustration about the whole stinking mess: the state of our media, our division and mistrust, all the seemingly insurmountable problems that will still be there no matter who wins.

    The data shows that politics is the number one cause of stress for Americans

    i am not alone Yearbook of the American Psychological Association Stress in America The survey found that, as of August, the policy was the main cause of stress for seven out of 10 adults across party lines. The report also found:

    • Most adults (54%) say they have little or no trust in the U.S. government
    • 41% say the state of the nation has made them consider moving to another country
    • 46% would not date someone who does not share the same political views
    • 82% are concerned that people are basing their values ​​and opinions on false or inaccurate information
    • A large majority say that the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives; this cuts across party lines: 80 percent of Republicans rated it as a top stressor, as did 79 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of independents.

    The APA found that election-related stress levels are about the same as in 2020 (so maybe I’m remembering it was revisionist history). However, what is different this year is that around 72% expressed concern about the election results, fearing the outcome could lead to violence, with more than half believing the results could mean “the end democracy in the USA”.

    In a Wall Street Journal survey released last week, 87 percent of voters said they believe America will suffer permanent damage if their candidate loses. Among Vice President Kamala Harris voters, 57 percent said they would feel “scared” if Donald Trump is elected, while 47 percent of Trump voters said they would feel scared if Harris wins. At least half of voters said they think violence is possible if Trump or Harris win, and 53 percent say our country’s divisions will continue to grow regardless of the election’s outcome.

    In a different survey from a mental health care company, 79% of respondents reported that the presidential election made them feel anxious this year, and more than half thought about the election every day. At 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, officials have been bracing since September for an increase in calls based on increases around Election Day during the previous two elections.

    Just Google “election anxiety” and you’ll find that it seems every news outlet has an article either reporting Americans’ stress levels or instructions on how to deal with election anxiety (Many of these tips include putting your phone down. After reading this, of course.)

    Why do you feel terrible? The system is designed to amplify outrage.

    Of course, all the available advice on how to manage your anxiety levels puts the onus on the individual to “focus on aspects of life outside of politics” or “spend less time watching the news” or “meditate” and very little condemnation of the political ecosystem at that we are subjected to in our quest to be an informed citizen.

    That’s like telling every overweight American to focus on diet and exercise without having the conversation about it how our lawmakers and corporations keep us fat and unhealthy. There is broad consensus that stress is terrible for our health, and yet, at least once every four years, our political environment frays our nerves.

    Opinion: Former WTMJ radio host calls Trump a threat to democracy. The Conservative supports the VP.

    The news cycle is endless. Polls have become an obsession that gamifies our elections and dominates our political discourse. We have social media apps that are designed to be addictive and algorithms that amplify outrage. And if you live in a swing state like Wisconsin, you’re being bombarded with literally billions of dollars in ads that have been manufactured to evoke enough emotion in you to motivate you to go to the polls.

    This does not mean that concerns and worries about the elected are unwarranted. The stakes are high in this election and the choices have consequences. I’m not trying to single anyone out to diminish real fears about the amount of damage a single administration can do. Women are literally dying in no-abortion states, so I understand that for some people, the election is life or death, but the noise of the campaign is also responsible for raising everyone’s cortisol.

    In addition, people are motivated to volunteer and vote early

    This election cycle has made me question myself more than once if I am ready for this line of work. I find myself thinking about what life was like before the 2016 election, when I was much more relaxed in my consumption of news and politics. I’ve found myself much more sympathetic to people who stay out of politics because it seems like a much healthier and happier way to live.

    But unfortunately there is no going back, at least for me there isn’t. Once you open yourself up to caring about how politics and policy shape everything, you can’t really stop it. You can only use that anxiety and worry to spur you into action, which is the only positive outcome from this stress.

    James Causey: Trump lied repeatedly and effortlessly. Undecided voters have simple questions about truth.

    The APA report found that despite reporting election anxiety, about 77 percent of people said they intended to vote, and half said they felt more motivated to volunteer or support causes they believe in — a 32 percent increase compared to 45% who reported feeling this way in 2020.

    As of Oct. 26, more than 38 million people have voted early across the country, according to University of Florida Election Lab. Early voting in person Wisconsin saw a 40 percent increase. last week. Georgia has seen record turnout every day since early voting began on October 15. The same is true across the country, where there is a record early voter turnout in New York City, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina.

    Now, of course, the anxious part of my brain wants to agonize over what all those early voters means. But, I will exercise some self-discipline and in return, I will gain more people getting involved and voting.

    Kristin Brey is the “My Take” columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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