COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Election Day is just a few days away and research shows voters are feeling the weight. An October poll by the American Psychological Association found 69% of adults said the 2024 presidential election is a significant source of stress in their lives.
Boone County resident David White cast his ballot on Friday and said he is concerned about the future that voters are leaving for his children and grandchildren. "This is an overwhelming period in our nation's history and the importance of learning that every vote matters and this is for our children," White said. Burrell Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor Gary Lembke said it's easy to get overwhelmed during an election cycle with 24/7 access to information through news and social media.
"I think it's healthy to keep a light pulse on it, just to check it periodically, but also set limits on how much time we want to spend on social media ...
along with just watching the local news or the national news," Lembke said. He recommends putting the phone down or turning the TV off whenever people notice a rise in blood pressure, change in pulse or find their thoughts changing to becoming more emotionally charged or upset. He also said to avoid watching world news before going to bed.
White said all of the opinions shared on media outlets do add to voters' stress. "Opinions are all what we are holding on to," White said. "When we hear varying opinions being thrown at us constantly, 24 hours a day, it becomes overwh.