BeMindful: Political anxiety and stress during the 2024 election season

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- According to the American Psychological Association (APA), election stress--especially in 2024--is a very real thing.

In the APA's most recent report on stress factors in the nation, titled Stress in America 2024: A nation in political turmoil, they cited that 69% of Americans say that the presidential election is a "significant source of stress" in their lives.

"Well over 70% of people talk about feeling stress and anxiety related to this particular election and I think the stakes are so high," said Tracey Laszloffy, an East Coast-based licensed family and marriage therapist.

This number, according to APA, is slightly up from 68% of people who reported stress around the 2020 presidential election, as well as a large jump from 52% in the 2016 election.

"There's certain foundational bedrock principles that we relied upon to feel secure and safe, and are now in flux," said Laszloffy. "I think that's what's really driving the tremendous anxiety that we're experiencing."

Breaking down the APA statistics, seven in 10--or 72%--of adults in the U.S. are especially concerned with election result violence. A fear that Laszloffy attributes to politically unprecedented events like the January 6, 2021 insurrection.

"Will political violence be tolerated? For most of the history of this country we assumed that that's not something we would allow, but maybe it is possible," questioned Laszloffy. "What will happen... and knowing that things can happen that we never believed could happen before."

The ADA says that over half of the country's adults are concerned that this election will be the end of democracy in the United States.

"The concern about dire consequences is evidenced by two data points from this year’s survey," wrote APA in their most recent election report, citing the statistic with people fearing election result violence as well as the end of democracy. "Stress in America 2024: A Nation in Political Turmoil reveals a country in the grip of existential stress in the run up to Election Day."

"Polarization is normal and this kind of splitting often happens, but it's been certainly more pervasive and intensified than any period in modern history," said Laszloffy. "So, I think that's part of what makes people so on edge."

The APA also said that two in five people (or 41%) considered moving to a different country because of the state of the nation, as well as another 39% of U.S. adults reporting that the political climate in their state made them want to move to a different state.

"Nearly two-thirds of adults (64%) felt as though their rights are under attack," wrote the APA. Additionally, APA reported that 32% of U.S. adults agree that the current political environment has caused strain between them and family members.

Despite all of these numbers and political tension, APA says that this year's election has three in five adults (61% of people) feeling hopeful about an eventual positive political change in society as a direct outcome.

Regardless of someone's political stand, Laszloffy says it's important for people to stay healthy, active and do things that bring them joy. Additionally, Laszloffy suggests simply getting outside:

"We're in boxes all day long. We go from our car to a building to a TV screen to our phone to a computer... and then our contact with the natural world gets shorter and smaller and less and less frequent. And yet, that is where our real salvation is connected. Being able to breathe the air and see the green and feel the rain and the sun. That is the stuff in our DNA going back millions of years that we need to allow ourselves to experience regularly."

Other ways to relieve election stress and anxiety can include volunteering for a cause that you believe in, being in community and even voting, according to Laszloffy.

Finally, the APA's silver lining in regards to 2024 election stress, is a stat that says over half of the country's nation believes this political season will actually lead to a more inclusive society.

"Despite their concerns about our nation’s future, this year’s survey revealed determination and resilience among adults," wrote the APA.