Top doctor reveals how to de-stress after the elections
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a primary care and emergency physician and contributor to Fox News Medical, shared her tips for dealing with election stress
A top doctor has shared their tips for de-stressing after one of the most tumultuous presidential elections in modern American history.
Donald Trump was elected president for the second time over Vice President Kamala Harris after several states saw record voter turnout.
It was also one of the most stressful elections in recent history.
An investigation of the American Psychological Association (APA) found that nearly eight in 10 Americans viewed the future of the nation as a major source of stress in their lives.
And 69 percent said they were specifically concerned about the election, with more than half reporting they think the election could end democracy in the US.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family physician and emergency physician and contributor to Fox News Medical, said the phenomenon, called election stress syndrome, is not only too sensitive but “a real medical condition that needs to be addressed.”
She added: ‘The fact is that political issues affect us all both mentally and physically, but it is important that we stay healthy all the time.’
Left untreated, intense stress can also trigger a rush of “fight-or-flight” hormones that cause physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, diarrhea and even stroke.
Donald Trump made an astonishing political comeback and was elected president for the second time. He is pictured on stage addressing his supporters on November 6
Dr. Nesheiwat said: ‘Election stress can stem from a range of psychological and social factors. The stress surrounding elections, especially in today’s times, can cause or worsen health problems such as anxiety or depression.
‘Factors such as uncertainty, fear of the unknown, fear of change and a lack of control over the outcomes play an important role.
“Combine that with 24/7 reporting and constant updates on social media, and people are bombarded with information that can feel dramatically overwhelming.”
Dr. Nesheiwat noted that political disagreements can create tensions and social pressure to take a position on certain issues, especially in the immediate aftermath of the election.
She suggests staying connected with supportive people like friends and family.
She said: ‘Isolation can make stress worse, so reach out to someone you trust.’
However, make sure you make time with that support system to talk about something other than politics and set boundaries to avoid getting too hung up on negative emotions.
Dr. Nesheiwat recommends taking time to focus on hobbies like reading or baking, or even taking up a new sport “like pickleball or hiking.”
She said: ‘Exercise and activity release endorphins, your happiness hormones that help reduce stress.’
A Study from 2017For example, research found that endorphins increased the most after at least an hour of intense exercise, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
However, even mild exercise such as walking is associated with a decrease in anxiety and depression after a stressful event study published last year.
If you’re still overwhelmed by anxiety after the election, Dr. Nesheiwat recommends seeking professional help.
She said, ‘Reach out to your doctor or a therapist to help you cope with the emotional and mental stress. Therapy and sometimes medications can help you overcome these challenges.”
