CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new American Psychological Association survey reveals more U.S. adults are stressed about this presidential election.

 

What You Need To Know

  • More people are stressed about upcoming elections

  • Stress is affecting all political parties

  • Exercising and connecting with others are some of the ways to cope with stress


In 2016, 52% of U.S. adults said the presidential election was a significant source of stress in their lives. In 2020, that number has increased to 68%.

Charlotte Women’s Movement Co-President Gina Navarrete, who didn’t support President Donald Trump in 2016, says she was anxious about Election Day back then.

Navarrete, who is supporting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden this year, says her stress level has increased after the outcome of the past election.

“Not only do I feel more anxiety because I know he won, I feel more anxiety because I know what this administration can do,” Navarrete says.

Of three parties, 78% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans, and 64% of Independents reported stress about the upcoming election.

“Probably because we all feel quite a stake in the election, the outcome and what it may mean for how the next step of our country, that everyone is feeling a lot with that,” says Senior Director of Practice Transformation and Quality at the American Psychological Association Dr. Lynn Bufka.

Bufka says people will likely feel anxious about the outcome of the election and when the results will be released.

She recommends focusing on things in your power.

“If we voted, if we volunteered, if we are supporting causes that are important to us, we’ve done what we can to have an influence on the important issues in the election,” Bufka says.

Navarrete plans to volunteer at the polls for several Democratic candidates.

“My way is to try to get as much as I can and to work as hard as I can and to control the little piece, I can control,” Navarrete says.

In addition, she says you could relieve stress by exercising, distracting yourself connecting with friends and family, and limiting the amount of news you are consuming throughout the day.