The 5 Words That Can Help Manage Election Anxiety
Why Do We Feel Anxious on Election Day?
At its core, anxiety often arises when we face uncertainty, especially when we feel we don’t have control over the situation. In the case of elections, you might have supported your candidate, volunteered your time, donated money, or perhaps cast your vote — all of which are meaningful actions. But when it comes down to it, you don’t have the power to control the result. And that’s unsettling.
This lack of control might make us feel powerless or vulnerable, but here’s the thing: *you’re not in control* — and that’s okay.
The Power of Accepting What You Can’t Control
One way to manage anxiety is to reframe your thinking around control. It’s a fact of life that we can’t control everything. In fact, one of the most anxiety-inducing situations is when we find ourselves in situations where we have no control at all. Think about being a passenger on an airplane. Once you’re seated and the plane is in motion, you have zero control over how the flight goes. Yet, most of us still manage to relax (at least a little). Why? Because we know that stressing over things beyond our control won’t change the outcome.
A friend once gave me a simple mantra that completely changed my mindset during stressful situations like flying: “Relax, you’re not in control.”
It sounds simple, almost silly, but in moments of anxiety, it can be transformative. When I’m on a plane, I can’t control the turbulence, the weather, or the flight path, but I *can* control how I respond. And so, I choose to relax because it’s the only thing that makes the situation easier.
This same mantra can be applied to Election Day anxiety. You might be feeling the weight of uncertainty, but the truth is — the outcome is out of your hands. All you can do is cast your vote, stay informed, and take part in the process. Beyond that, the rest is beyond your control. So, when the anxiety creeps in, remind yourself: “Relax, you’re not in control.”
In addition to hosting The Sean Show on B105.7, Sean Copeland is a therapist at Evolve Therapy in Greenwood, IN.
The 5 Words That Can Help Manage Election Anxiety was originally published on b1057.com
