Poll results show that the presidential election worries 79% of America's population

The upcoming presidential election is impacting Americans' mental health.

A recent national survey by AMFM, a residential mental health treatment system based in California, analyzed the anxiety levels of 2,000 Americans during an election year.

Nearly 22% of respondents said election coverage had a negative impact on their mental health.

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Dealing with misinformation (57%) and “doom and gloom” messages (56%) were identified as top stressors, as were concerns about the consequences of the election (54%) and worry that their candidate of choice will not win would (42%).

Overall, 30% of respondents reported increased anxiety related to the election, 22% said they felt overwhelmed and 18% felt anger.

A young man watches the upcoming election results on the large screens in Times Square in November 2016. (David Cliff/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Nearly 53% said they avoided election-related conversations to avoid anxiety.

More than 73% of respondents have not sought support because of election anxiety — and don't plan to, they said.

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AMFM concluded that it is critical for individuals to “seek balance, limit exposure to anxiety-provoking content, and consider seeking support when needed.”

Another survey from LifeStance Health — a mental health network based in Scottsdale, Arizona — found that the presidential election is a “significant source of stress and anxiety” for Americans.

In a survey, respondents said dealing with misinformation (57%) and “doom and gloom” messages (56%) were the top stressors, as were concerns about the aftermath of the election (54%) and the Concern that the preferred candidate would not win (42%). (AP images)

The survey, which surveyed over 1,000 Americans online in August 2024, found that 79% of people feel election anxiety.

According to the results, younger Americans are more likely to be affected, including 64% of Generation Z and 54% of Millennials.

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More than half (57%) of respondents said they think about the election every day, while 31% said they think about it several times a day.

Meanwhile, 44% of Generation Z have postponed important milestones in their lives such as moving, going to college, getting married or having children due to fear of the political climate.

According to the LifeStance survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents talk to therapists about politics and the election. (iStock)

This fear is also shared by friends and family, as 44% of respondents said political or election-related discussions had led to conflict.

More than two-thirds (72%) of respondents said social media and other news coverage contributed to their election anxiety, while 34% admitted to unfollowing or blocking a friend or family member on social media because of their political views.

Easing election anxiety

According to MK Clarkin, a licensed clinical social worker and senior clinical director at LifeStance Health in St. Louis, Missouri, some mental health experts refer to politically-related anxiety as “election stress disorder.”

“People often report increased anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating and more,” she told Fox News Digital. “The deep feeling of losing control over one’s private life understandably triggers a sense of despair in many people.”

Voters make their choice at voting booths on October 17, 2024 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Experts shared some coping methods you can use to keep your mental health under control during the election.

6 tips to calm down

1. Practice grounding techniques

Christina Kayanan, a California licensed therapist and executive director of AMFM, suggested practicing grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method to shift your focus from worrying about the future back to the present.

One expert recommended building a self-care routine and practicing grounding techniques to reduce anxiety. (iStock)

“In this exercise, you will acknowledge five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste,” shared with Fox News Digital. “Grounding can break anxious thought patterns and restore a sense of control.”

2. Build a self-care routine

Kayanan says building a self-care routine that includes mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and deep breathing can help calm the nervous system.

“A routine helps structure your day and gives you something predictable that you can rely on,” she said. “Even small, consistent habits, like journaling or taking short walks, can make a significant difference in managing anxiety.”

3. Challenge unhelpful thoughts

Unhelpful thoughts can include “all or nothing” thinking and catastrophizing a situation, which Kayanan says can increase anxiety.

People should decode these thought patterns and challenge them with “evidence-based thinking,” the expert suggested.

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“Ask yourself, ‘What evidence do I have for this thought? Is there another way to look at the situation?'” she advised.

“By reframing anxious thoughts, you can reduce their emotional impact and regain balance.”

4. Limit caffeine and alcohol

According to Kayanan, both substances can worsen anxiety symptoms by overstimulating the nervous system and impairing our “natural ability” to cope with stress.

Alcohol and caffeine can worsen anxiety symptoms by overstimulating the nervous system, experts warn. (iStock)

Reducing these substances could help ease physical symptoms of anxiety and maintain a “more balanced emotional state,” the expert said.

5. Set healthy boundaries

Kayanan encouraged setting clear boundaries in relationships, at work, or in social settings to reduce anxiety.

This can include saying “no” in certain situations, delegating tasks, and setting limits on social media to prevent overstimulation and burnout.

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These limits may also apply to election-related content, where Clarkin advised people to be “choosy.”

“Don’t be afraid to set limits on your digital consumption – set a screen time limit, mute or unfollow accounts that share harmful content, and fact-check sources,” she advised.

“Most people don’t post political content with the intention of changing their minds through dialogue,” one expert said of participating in social media discussions. (iStock)

Clarkin also advised against engaging in political discussions on social media.

“Most people don’t post political content with the intention of changing their minds through dialogue,” she said.

“So your energy would be better spent on something else.”

6. Try progressive muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a method that tenses and slowly relaxes different muscle groups “from the toes to the head,” Kayanan said.

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The technique can help release physical tension associated with anxiety while increasing awareness of where you may be experiencing stress in your body.

“Practicing PMR can lead to greater relaxation and reduce overall anxiety levels by promoting a mind-body connection,” she said.

Anyone experiencing increasing anxiety or persistent anxiety should seek help from a doctor.