If your news feed has been making you feel a little…tense, you’re not alone.
According to a recent survey from Forbes, over 60% of Americans say the 2024 presidential election is having a noticeable impact on their mental health. Anxiety, stress, and fear are topping the list of emotions tied to the race, particularly among Gen Z (66%), millennials (64%) and Gen X (63%) respondents.
For comparison, 52% of U.S. adults said they were significantly stressed during the 2016 election.
It’s not just fleeting jitters. More than a quarter of survey participants admit that the election is affecting their work or school performance — especially for Gen Z, where over half report election-induced stress creeping into their productivity. For some, the barrage of political content on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram feels like too much. About 26% have reduced their social media usage over the last several weeks, and 6% have checked out completely.
Family time isn’t getting off scot-free, either. Nearly half of Americans are already dreading the upcoming holiday season, anticipating that post-election stress will add fuel to family debates.
“I think election day anxiety is a natural response to the significant decisions we are asked to make,” said Dr. Rufus Tony Spann, a certified school psychologist and licensed professional counselor. “I believe some people’s anxiety comes from past post-election results. Based on the results of previous elections, some communities felt they needed to prepare for the backlash due to the results of an election.”
Over the next week — and beyond Election Day — stressed-out Americans should pay attention to their minds and bodies by getting enough sleep, eating right and getting in daily physical activity. Additionally, try to minimize your social media and news consumption, if possible.
“Unless that’s your job,” Kristin Lewis, clinical psychologist, told Vox, “there’s no need to be that consumed with it.”
