A politics guide to easing election night anxiety in 2026
Why election stress feels real
Licensed clinical social worker Jneé Hill says election-related concerns are not always exaggerated fears. She says many are grounded in people’s lives and experiences, including worries about safety and freedom.
Name the worries behind it
Rosmarin advises identifying the specific issues behind election anxiety, rather than focusing only on which side might win. He suggests choosing three concerns, such as reproductive rights, the economy, immigration or war abroad, and discussing them with trusted people or a mental health professional.
Hill also recommends asking why an issue matters personally. A concern about reproductive rights, for example, may reflect a deeper fear of being unable to access lifesaving medical care.
Prepare for difficult moments
Shevaun Neupert, a psychology professor at North Carolina State University, recommends a thought exercise before encountering something upsetting. Spend a few minutes considering what is causing stress, how it connects to the election and why the issue exists, she says.
Neupert says the exercise focuses on understanding an issue rather than trying to solve it. Seeing a source of stress in a wider context may not fix the problem, but can make it feel less frightening by reducing uncertainty.
Stress can affect wellbeing
The article was originally published in 2024 and updated for the 2026 midterm elections. Its editor’s note is dated November 3, 2026, at 3 pm ET.
Key points
- One poll found 30 percent of American voters call the political situation their biggest source of stress.
- Experts say election anxiety can reflect real concerns, not just imagined fears.
- Identifying three key issues may help people understand and share their worries.
- Neupert recommends examining why an issue exists to put stress into perspective.