How This MD Takes An Ayurvedic Approach To Election Stress Disorder

It's been nearly eight months since my "empty nest" became full again.

With the global COVID-19 pandemic came the return of my two children from college, as well as increased stress and anxiety. And while we've all been managing the challenges of working and studying together under one roof, the added stress from the upcoming U.S. election has disrupted the delicate balance we were somehow maintaining as a family.

This term was first coined during the 2016 election cycle by therapist Steven Stosny, Ph.D. Not meant to be an official medical diagnosis, he used it to describe the increasing numbers of patients he saw with "overwhelming anxiety" about the results of the election.

While feeling stress about the election is totally normal, there are things we can do to keep it from harming our mental health. Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old healing science of India, the birthplace of my parents and many generations before them, provides timeless ideas about how to cope with emotional feelings such as sadness, fear, worry, and anxiety.

A common manifestation of election-related stress is the fear of missing the "latest" news, which is causing many of us to constantly refresh social media or check phone alerts every few minutes. We quite literally "carry" the news with us 24 hours a day with round-the-clock coverage streaming through our computers and phones.

Many people are worried about being with others, especially friends and family, who may have differing political views. Add the factor of needing to socially distance to help control the spread of COVID-19, and many of us are feeling intense anxiety about being with other people...while also feeling intense loneliness and isolation.

Many people are having difficulty falling asleep because they're worried about the outcome of the election. And sleep deprivation leads to emotional volatility. Studies also show that people who have inadequate sleep are more likely to develop anxiety disorders1 in the future.

The breath is where the body and the mind meet. Observe any person who is feeling anxious and you'll likely see them breathing fast or holding their breath entirely. By learning how to slow down the breath by making the exhale longer, you can tap into a powerful tool that can be used anytime and anywhere to calm anxiety.