Election Stress: How to Relieve it

[gtxvideo vid=’5V3czAf6′ thumb=’http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/5V3czAf6.jpg’ vtitle=’Election Stress Survey’]

ABC NEWS– After a seemingly endless campaign season, Election Day has finally arrived. The polarizing campaign has put so many people in both political parties on edge, that the American Psychological Association (APA) has pointed to Election Day as a significant source of stress.

Vaile Wright, a licensed psychologist and member of APA’s Stress in America Team, said even the biggest poll junkies need to take time to unwind. Here are some of her tips for staying sane this Election Day.

Do an Activity Unrelated to the Election

If you’re biting your nails as you obsessively check your social media feeds and exit polls, Wright says do something that takes you away from your screens.

“Do some non-election related [activity] today,” said Wright. Meditating, praying or doing yoga can help clear the mind of election news, she said.

“I think one of the things people need to do is just take care of themselves,” said Wright. “Do some activities that are soothing.”

Relaxation techniques, which includes activities such as yoga and meditation, have been shown in medical studies to relieve stress. The National Institutes of Health found that 85 percent of people who practice yoga said it helped to reduce their stress levels.