5 ways to prioritize your mental health this election season

By: Anna Jones

As election season ramps up, Megan Hays, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said it is common to feel overwhelmed by the constant influx of political news, debates and campaign rhetoric.

Research shows that politics can negatively affect one’s physical and mental health and can lead to stress, anxiety and unhappiness. According to the 2024 American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll, 73% of respondents are especially anxious about the upcoming presidential election.

Hays said by adopting strategic wellness practices this election season, one can maintain one’s balance and focus amid the political storm. She has five evidence-based strategies people can use to help stay grounded this election season.

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