Coping with Post-Election Stress: 7 Mental Health Strategies That Actually Help
How to take care of your mind, body, and spirit when the political climate feels overwhelming
In the aftermath of an election, especially one charged with racial tension, social division, or uncertainty about the future, many people experience a spike in stress and emotional exhaustion. For Black and marginalized communities in particular, election cycles can reopen wounds tied to systemic injustice, safety concerns, and historical trauma.
If you’re feeling anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure of what to do next, know this: your response is valid. And you’re not alone.
Here are 7 helpful and culturally mindful ways to protect your mental health and restore your sense of peace.
1. Accept and Process Your Emotions
One of the first steps toward emotional regulation is acknowledging what you feel without minimizing or judging it. Anxiety, fear, sadness, even anger — these are natural responses to events that threaten your sense of safety or values.
Try this:
Journal what you're feeling and why, without censoring yourself
Engage in creative outlets (art, music, spoken word) to move emotions through your body
Give your feelings a name — it reduces emotional intensity and brings clarity
Insightful Note: Suppressed emotions often manifest as physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, fatigue) or impulsive behavior. Processing them reduces long-term stress load on the nervous system.
2. Limit Media Exposure
The 24-hour news cycle, political commentary, and viral content can create a loop of re-traumatization. Constant exposure to distressing information — especially content that targets your identity or values — can dysregulate your nervous system and increase anxiety.
Set boundaries by:
Designating specific times to check news or social media
Muting or unfollowing accounts that elevate your stress
Engaging with content that uplifts, educates, or grounds you
Therapy Insight: Repeated exposure to traumatic images or language — even online — can contribute to vicarious trauma. Media boundaries are a form of self-preservation.
3. Engage in Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness grounds you in the now, reducing anticipatory anxiety and helping your body shift out of fight-or-flight mode. Practices like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can regulate your nervous system and create space for emotional clarity.
Mindfulness tips:
Use breathing techniques like 4-7-8 or box breathing when overwhelmed
Try guided meditations or prayer journaling
Anchor to your senses: notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel to come back to the moment
Bonus: Mindfulness builds resilience over time by teaching your brain to pause instead of panic.
4. Maintain a Grounding Routine
When the world feels chaotic, structure can be stabilizing. Routines signal safety to the brain and offer a sense of normalcy during uncertain times.
Build a balanced routine that includes:
Regular meals and hydration
Movement (walking, dancing, stretching)
Consistent sleep and wake times
Joyful rituals — like lighting a candle, playing music, or cooking a favorite meal
Insight: Routine supports executive functioning and reduces cognitive fatigue, which is common in high-stress environments.
5. Connect with Supportive Communities
Isolation can magnify distress. Sharing your experiences in trusted spaces — whether with friends, spiritual leaders, group therapy, or online communities — can be a lifeline.
You might find support in:
Affinity groups or support spaces for Black, queer, or marginalized voices
Virtual healing circles or therapeutic discussion groups
Your local faith-based or activist community
Mental Health Tip: Co-regulation — feeling emotionally safe with others — is one of the most powerful antidotes to anxiety and despair.
6. Focus on What You Can Control
When systemic issues feel insurmountable, focus on what’s within your reach. Having agency — even in small ways — can interrupt feelings of helplessness.
Practice active coping by:
Volunteering or donating to causes you believe in
Setting boundaries with emotionally draining conversations
Creating personal goals around rest, advocacy, or self-care
Insight: Empowered action reduces cortisol and boosts a sense of purpose, both of which buffer against burnout.
7. Seek Professional Support
If you find that post-election stress is affecting your sleep, relationships, concentration, or mood — you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy offers a confidential, culturally responsive space to process what’s coming up for you.
Look for therapists who:
Have experience working with racial identity, trauma, and anxiety
Offer faith-integrated, LGBTQIA-affirming, or social justice–informed care
Provide telehealth or sliding scale options for accessibility
Therapy isn’t just for crisis — it’s for building emotional tools, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your peace.
Final Thoughts
Your peace is worth protecting. Political transitions often stir deep emotional responses — but they also invite deep healing and collective care. By tending to your emotional well-being, you’re not checking out — you’re preserving your capacity to show up for yourself and your community with clarity and courage.
🧠💛 If you need support during this time, our therapists are here to walk with you. We offer individual and group counseling designed to help you cope, process, and move forward with intention.
Book your first session today! Click this link