very presidential election is consequential, and therefore potentially , but this contest seems to carry added weight. In a recent conducted by the American Psychological Association, 77% of people surveyed said that the future of the country was a significant source of stress, and 56% said they feared that the election results would spell the end of democracy in the U.S.
That stress and anxiety will likely extend beyond Election Day. What if your candidate doesn’t win? After emotionally investing in a candidate’s policies and character, how do you reconcile the inevitable feelings of disappointment, anger, and additional anxiety as you confront the reality of living under a leader you didn’t support? First, say experts, give yourself time to process the strong emotions churning after the results are announced. “Begin by acknowledging your feelings,” says Lynn Bufka, deputy chief of professional practice at the American Psychological Association.
“If your candidate loses, it’s certainly expected to feel disappointment, and even anger, hurt, and sadness." Recognize these feelings instead of rushing past them. Even naming the swirl of emotions that may buffet you in the coming days can be productive.
“If you’re experiencing several different emotions at once, good research shows that if you can just name each emotion and sort through them one at a time, it helps to reduce their intensity,” says Jenna Glover, chief clinical officer of the mindfulness and medi.
