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Not only will I and other Christians be casting our private ballots at the polls, we’ll also be sharing our political opinions on social media, at the family Thanksgiving dinner table, and in our Zoom conversations. The aggressive and divisive rhetoric we’ve been enduring during months of political campaigning doesn’t magically end once the polls have closed. And many of us will be suffering stress, anxiety, and depression in the wake of this year’s election.
Therapists report that before the 2016 presidential election it was rare for patients to discuss politics in their therapy sessions. And yet in the months following the election, patients began seeking therapeutic assistance for anxiety and depression related to the news reports on the new administration.
Following that 2016 election, Dr. Steven Stosny wrote about “election stress disorder.” He explained, “Many people download the negativity of their environment and take it out on the closest people to them. A web of emotion connects us all, and did so long before the Internet became its national conduit. Political campaigns set the web of emotion ablaze with negativity.”
Because this year’s race has been no less contentious than our country’s previous presidential election, it’s critical to be intentional both about living out your faith and about caring for yourself and loved ones in this season.
In Your Local Congregation, Focus on Unity
While the majority of individual Christian congregations may share a general political leaning, left or right, every congregation includes some degree of diverse political opinion. In politically divisive moments in our nation, like this one, committing to love and honor one another as Christian brothers and sisters is critical. So before you shoot off a vitriolic email to everyone in your contacts, consider whether you are furthering the unity of the body or its division. Try to live up to the exhortation of the Apostle Paul: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
Individually, Purpose to Love One Another Radically
In his sermon on the mount, it’s clear Jesus had a keen handle on our fallen human nature. Knowing how we’re prone to gravitate toward and “love” those who are most like us, he commands, “I tell you, love your enemies…” (Matthew 5:44). The Greek word for “enemy” here is “inimicus,” which literally means “not friend.” Jesus is challenging us to love the one who is “other” than we are. Yes, this likely includes the nation-state enemy that attacks our country, but “enemy” or "inimicus" more often includes those near us who are different than us in all kinds of ways. In this election season, it absolutely includes those who are our political opposites.
Practice Self-Care by Limiting Your News Consumption
Friends of mine have shared that their retired parents or in-laws who spend the entire day listening to either MSNBC or Fox News tend to become very riled and upset by the steady stream of political news. Preceding the 2020 election, Dr. Steven Stosny described the way the “Toddler brain” (emotional, all-or-nothing, “Mine! No!”) hijacks the “Adult brain” that regulates impulses. Just as toddlers are susceptible to taking on the negative emotions in their environment, all of us can be susceptible to becoming distressed when we consume too much upsetting rhetoric. Limit your consumption of daily news to stay emotionally healthy.
Love Yourself and Others by Taking a Break from Social Media
Over the last few months, many of our friends and family have taken to social media to share their political opinions. And for their own well-being, a number of people I know have chosen to “unfriend,” “block,” or “pause” seeing the offensive feeds that trigger emotional upset. This is a critical act of self-care. After this year’s election, consider either taking a break from social media altogether or disallowing those whose vitriol upsets you to have access to your mental and emotional space. While breaking from social media can trigger “fear of missing out” (FOMO), you likely won’t miss much of consequence.
Get Adequate Rest, Exercise, and Nutrition
Three physical practices always support good mental health: getting adequate rest, exercise, and nutrition. Staying up past midnight because you’re glued to polling results? Turn off the screen at 10 p.m. and read something you enjoy before bedtime. Packing your day by volunteering with a campaign, making calls when you’d usually get in a run before dinner? While it can be healthy to engage in making a difference, don’t neglect getting the exercise your body needs. And while drive-through or takeout can always seem a bit easier than masking up to go to the grocery store, find a way to ensure that your body is getting the balanced nutrition it needs during this stressful season.
In every season, Christians are charged with patterning their lives after the person of Jesus. This tricky moment in America and on our planet is no different. Commit yourself to loving others—and loving yourself by practicing self-care.
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