The past couple of decades have brought excessive stress during elections. The news fuels anxiety by demonizing candidates and narratives that don’t always hold up when fact-checked. But we can be passionate about our country’s elections without succumbing to chaos. Your sanity is far more important than being at the effect of others’ agendas.
#1 Limit Your News Consumption – Today’s news is more like a reality show than actual reporting of facts. Otherwise, it wouldn’t sell as effectively. Some folks get addicted to watching the drama and can’t get enough. However, too much of anything can harm a person’s mental health.
If the news triggers you, make some changes. Mix it up with comedy, an enjoyable and mellow TV series, educational programs, or anything soothing instead of agitating. You don’t have control over what the news stations report, but you certainly have control over how much you engage. Balance is key in any life and mental health situation.
#2 Find Credible News Sources – Okay, I admit that I have my favorite news stations that align with my political beliefs. However, I also challenge myself to surf around the stations I don’t like for diversification. It’s surprising how much more I learn from getting out of my comfort zone. This has a calming effect because I can see the strengths and weaknesses in all candidates and agendas without demonizing any of them.
My son guided me to dig deeper into the internet for more accurate news sources. Sources like Reuters and Ground Source claim high levels of credibility and 100% fact-based reporting. Rather than being spoon-fed the news via the media, it doesn’t hurt to do your own journalistic investigation. Reading independent articles and books by credible authors can be enlightening. For example, I have become a fan of
Thomas Sowell, an economist, philosopher, and prolific writer who shares his political views and why they have changed over the years. His writings have taught me more about black history than all my schoolbooks combined. My favorite is The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy.
#3 Avoid Stressful Conversations – Put Love First – If you find yourself in a distressing political conversation, lovingly bow out. There’s no reason for a political divide to create a relationship fissure. Ideally, people could share their diverse views with tolerance, but that’s rarely the case currently. Instead (and mostly because of the demonization of candidates), people believe that the opposing candidates will lead to the demise of the country or even the world. Keep in mind — it’s big money that supports the candidate that furthers that entity’s agenda.
When you put love first, you put your relationship above the need to be right about your political views. Even if you are right, you don’t need to convince someone of something they don’t want to hear and vice-versa. It’s far better to keep a long-term loving relationship than throw it away because of political differences. Relationships are what help us to sustain hardships and difficulties. Politicians and newscasters aren’t the ones who hold your hand when you’re troubled, care for your kids, or support your darkest moments. Instead of like-mindedness, you need only love the person more than you love being right.
#4 Vote – Since its inception, our country has endured massive upheavals, differences, and divides. This hasn’t changed and probably never will. Fortunately, our current civil war is being duked out in the ballot box. And whether you have faith in the system, your vote does matter.
Apathy is the real enemy of any free country. Instead of succumbing to feelings of helplessness and despair, vote. Encourage your family and friends to vote also, and even offer to help them to the polls (or with mail-in ballots) if they need assistance. Doing your part by casting a ballot may seem useless, but it’s not. You can also
volunteer to help your district with elections and do your part to ensure legitimate voting practices. No matter how menial your contributions may seem, you are doing your part in the big scheme of things, and it does matter.
The election will soon end, and we’ll all have to live with the results. Like every election of late, half of us will be glad, and the other half will be upset with the results. Nevertheless, let us not forget that we are still free, and so long as we have free elections, we remain a democracy. Accurate information, civil discourse, and your vote should never be devalued. These things are the strength of your relationship with the country and the only way to keep it free.
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Donna Marks is an educator, licensed psychotherapist, and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with over 6,000 clients. Donna’s struggle with addiction brought her to a worldwide search for healing. She became licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in 1987. In 1989, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education, then became Certified in Addictions, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Hypnosis, and Sex Therapy. Donna developed an award-winning addiction training program at Palm Beach Community College. She co-owns an outpatient treatment program and serves as a consultant to treatment centers. For 36 years, she has taught A Course in Miracles.
Donna is the author of three books: the multi-award-winning title Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure, and Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, The Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes into Miracles of Love, and her latest fiction, Fortis & Sapiente – A Tale of Two Lovers Who Successfully Navigate the Murky Waters of Love. Donna is a public speaker and has shared her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts and radio shows.
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