People are feeling increasingly stressed about politics and the implications they have on our daily lives. The 2024 election cycle has featured an assassination attempt, a late-breaking candidate change, debate drama, and legal battles. A February 2024 Pew poll found that 65% of U.S. adults always or often felt exhausted by politics and 55% always or often felt angry. 

Research shows the distress we feel around politics can harm our physical and mental health—and it’s only getting worse. Here are a few general items to keep in mind that can help you during these difficult times.

Manage your media consumption. With social media and 24-hour news networks, there's no shortage of information. It's tempting to continue to plug in, but too much information can be overwhelming and add to your anxiety. Take breaks--"doomscrolling" isn't helpful for anyone.

Carefully choose the people with whom you discuss politics. While it's good to be open to other points of view, some people may not be able to have a respectful discussion. If you're concerned a conversation may lead to an unproductive (emotions are heated and name-calling occurs) conflict, it may be better to change the subject or simply state that you're not comfortable discussing at this time.

Practice mindfulness. When things are stressful, check in with yourself and notice where you may be feeling tension in your body. Stretch and relax the areas you're holding stress, take a few deep breaths, and focus only on your breath. If your mind wanders, simply notice it, but bring your attention back to your breathing until you start to feel a little more calm.

Prioritize self-care. Make sure you're meeting your immediate needs by staying hydrated, eating foods that will nourish your body, moving regularly, and checking in with friends and family who reinforce positive feelings.