Severe storms are rolling through central Minnesota including the Twin Cities

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

America is waiting on the results of a close and contentious election. And 

But one thing both parties can agree on? They're stressed.

 showed that more than two-thirds of adults are finding the 2020 election to be a significant source of stress. This includes 76 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of Republicans.

That's because we're dealing with a sense of "chronic uncertainty," said Judson Brewer, director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. 

The tension from the pandemic coupled with that from an unresolved election can create high levels of anxiety, he said. 

Here are some ways to deal with increased stress and anxiety.

When dealing with stress your body can trigger a "fight or flight" response, Brewer said. So the first step is to ground yourself, which you can do with mindful 

, which he also demonstrated on a recent episode of 

This process helps to pause, distract yourself and "reboot your brain," he says.

Doomscrolling refers to the self-destructive habit of endlessly scrolling through negative news. Experts tell us it's 

"With the election, or with the pandemic I think one question that we can ask ourselves is: 'Is it helpful for my mind to be here?'," said Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. "If not, can you bring your mind to a place where it is helpful for you?"

Loucks said if you find yourself in a downward spiral fueled by the news cycle, then interrupt that cycle. Find a distraction. 

It can be something small, like enjoying a hot beverage or taking a walk. Or it can be talking with friends or watching TV.  But the important thing is to not dwell on information if it's causing harm.

Exercise is one of the most recommended ways to reduce stress. But it doesn't necessarily require a trip to the gym.

"It doesn't have to be vigorous exercise, it turns out," Brewer said.  "I recommend this to my patients in my clinic — a couple of times a day go out for a 15 minute brisk walk, especially if it can be near or in nature.  [It's] tremendously healing."

. Even low-intensity physical activity can help 

The pandemic already has caused less social interaction and research shows this can also makes us feel more anxious. 

"People are naturally social creatures and the reduction in human interaction can increase feelings of anxiety, isolation and stress," said Daniel R. Wilson, president of Western University of Health Sciences.

Talking with family and friends — even just on a video or phone call — can help those who are stressed out. So can spending time with 

. Just try limiting the conversation to topics that aren't creating tension.

"Those truly personal connections are healing and therapeutic," Brewer said.

The thousands-of-years-old practice can help you deal with modern problems. 

 shows that meditation can help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.

There are numerous free resources online to practice meditation. Brown University provides free mindfulness classes on its 

, which provides app-based guided meditation and offers a free trial.

"If we're overwhelmed by the results of the election or by the pandemic, it can be hard to put our mind somewhere else," Brewer said. "And that's where meditation training can come in." 

Reese Oxner

Author

The 2020 U.S. election brings uncertainty to many during an already uncertain time. Here are five ways to deal with the increased stress.

Election got you stressed? You're not alone — here are 5 ways to deal with it

Go Deeper.

Like this?