Managing Stress, Setting Boundaries, and Taking Action: Mental Health in an Election Cycle

Election cycles bring a whirlwind of emotions, conversations, and headlines. While democracy thrives on engagement, these seasons often bring unique challenges, particularly for women and female-identifying individuals in Ohio. With topics like reproductive health, family rights, economic stability, and healthcare at the forefront, it’s natural to feel both hopeful and burdened by the weight of these issues. It is important for our own emotional well-being, and our capacity to keep doing the things that we care about, that we recognize how challenging these times can be.

During these cycles, it’s essential to safeguard your mental health while staying engaged with the issues you care about. By setting boundaries, staying mindful of your needs, and discovering ways to take action that align with your capacity and values, you can make it through the season with a balanced sense of agency and calm.

1. The Emotional Landscape of Election Seasons

Election cycles can amplify feelings of anxiety, anger, and fear, especially when personal issues or those affecting loved ones feel uncertain. Ohio’s political climate often brings up topics that deeply impact women’s rights, family dynamics, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This election season, you may find yourself thinking about your future, the well-being of your children, the safety and rights of those close to you, and the kind of society you hope to build.

For many women, election cycles aren’t just political — they’re personal. The outcome may impact access to reproductive healthcare, rights for marginalized communities, and policies affecting mental health services and support systems. These issues can lead to a sense of urgency to engage, advocate, and sometimes even to brace oneself for outcomes that may feel out of control.

2. Setting Healthy Boundaries

While you might value staying informed and engaged, constant exposure to news updates, social media feeds, and heated discussions can lead to burnout. Establishing boundaries allows you to be present and intentional in how you absorb information, protecting your mental well-being along the way.

How to Set Boundaries:

• Control Media Consumption: Consider scheduling time to check the news rather than having it on throughout the day. Perhaps mornings or evenings work best for you. This can help reduce the emotional toll of constant updates while ensuring you’re informed.

• Curate Social Media: Social media can amplify the intensity of election seasons. Take time to mute, unfollow, or “snooze” accounts that trigger stress, anger, or anxiety. Remember that it's okay to take breaks from platforms altogether.

• Limit Political Conversations: With family, friends, or colleagues, feel empowered to set boundaries around political discussions. You can express this gently, such as, “I appreciate our conversations, but I’d prefer to focus on lighter topics today.” This approach can protect your relationships and prevent unnecessary stress.

3. Handling Differences with Loved Ones

Election seasons often bring out strong opinions, and it’s common to find differences in beliefs among family members, friends, or even romantic partners. Navigating these differences with respect, understanding, and clear communication is essential for maintaining your mental health and keeping relationships intact.

Tips for Managing Conversations:

• Set Boundaries with Empathy: Let loved ones know that, while you respect their views, you may not want to engage in political discussions at this time. This can be especially useful when conversations veer into areas that feel particularly triggering.

• Practice Active Listening: When engaging in political discussions, using active listening techniques can help keep conversations respectful. Phrasing responses with “I understand where you’re coming from, and I feel…” can help avoid confrontational exchanges and preserve mutual respect.

• Recognize When to Step Back: If a conversation is becoming too intense, don’t hesitate to step away. Protecting your mental well-being is paramount, and sometimes taking a pause or leaving a heated discussion is the best way to care for yourself.

4. The Power of Taking Action

When the issues feel too overwhelming, taking action can provide a sense of agency and purpose. Engaging in activism or advocacy — even on a small scale — can help channel feelings of frustration or anxiety into something constructive. When done mindfully, taking action can serve as a grounding and fulfilling practice.

Ways to Take Action:

• Engage in Local Advocacy: Whether it’s reproductive rights, healthcare access, or educational reforms, local organizations in Ohio are always in need of support. Volunteering with a group that aligns with your values can provide a sense of community and accomplishment.

• Register to Vote and Help Others: Voting is a powerful way to make your voice heard, but helping others access voting can also have a broad impact. Consider helping friends or community members with voter registration or sharing resources on polling locations.

• Practice Relational Activism: This can mean sharing your values through meaningful conversations with people you trust, raising awareness gently, and building bridges. Instead of solely debating, focus on connecting through shared concerns. Relational activism reminds us that change often starts with compassion.

5. Practicing Self-Compassion and Prioritizing Self-Care

During election seasons, it’s easy to feel personally responsible for making a difference. But it’s essential to give yourself grace and remember that you’re only one person — your mental health is just as important as the causes you care about.

Tips for Self-Compassion:

• Acknowledge Your Limits: Recognize that it’s okay to step back if things feel too overwhelming. Taking time for yourself is a strength, not a weakness.

• Remember, You’re Not Alone: Many people feel similarly during election cycles. You are part of a community of individuals who are trying to find balance, care for themselves, and make a positive impact.

• Seek Support When Needed: Therapy can provide a nonjudgmental space to explore your feelings around election-related stress, discover ways to cope, and develop strategies for resilience.

6. Building a Routine of Self-Care

When the external world feels chaotic, creating a stable routine for yourself can be grounding. Prioritizing self-care during election cycles can provide a safe, nurturing space for you to return to each day.

Self-Care Strategies to Consider:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness can help you stay present and reduce anxiety. Even a few minutes of deep breathing or meditation each day can bring a sense of calm.

• Physical Movement: Exercise is a powerful stress-reliever. It can be as simple as a walk outside, a short yoga session, or even a dance break to reset and lift your mood.

• Creative Outlets: Engaging in activities like writing, drawing, or crafting can provide an emotional release. Journaling, in particular, can help you process emotions related to election stress and gain clarity.

7. Recognizing When to Seek Professional Help

If election-related stress becomes too intense or begins to impact your daily life, seeking professional support can be incredibly beneficial. Therapy offers a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment where you can explore your feelings, set boundaries, and learn tools to navigate emotionally challenging times.

Issues like reproductive healthcare, healthcare access, and family rights often feel deeply personal, and we’re here to provide a safe space for you to process these experiences. Whether you’re feeling isolated, frustrated, anxious, or hopeful, our therapists are committed to helping you find a path forward that feels manageable, hopeful, and empowered.

8. Hope, Resilience, and Connection

While election cycles may stir up difficult emotions, they can also serve as a reminder of resilience and community. Election seasons can be a time for connecting with those who share your values, a moment to reflect on the changes you wish to see, and an opportunity to engage in ways that feel meaningful to you. Together, we can acknowledge the weight of these issues, protect our mental health, and continue to support one another through challenging times.

At Wild Hope Therapy, we believe in your resilience, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our practice isn’t here to tell you how to feel or what to believe; we’re here to help you navigate this journey in a way that honors your well-being and the issues that matter most to you. Your voice, your actions, and your mental health all play a vital role in creating the future you envision — and that’s something worth holding onto.