Managing Election Stress

Ahead of important elections, students at UC Santa Barbara along with many other adults in the U.S. can experience significant amounts of stress in their lives.  Many people are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry, and at times, helpless. We recognize that the election season may be particularly challenging for many of us on campus. Those who identify with historically marginalized communities may be bearing the weight of these challenges most acutely.  UC Santa Barbara is committed to supporting campus mental health and wellbeing and creating opportunities to practice empathy and compassion towards each other.  Below are some ideas on how to manage election-related stress:

• Unplug: If following the news, watching the debates, or scrolling through social media is causing you stress, limit your media consumption. Permit yourself to take a break from the news.

• Be Present: Avoid Dwelling on Things You Can’t Control. When uncertainty strikes, many people immediately imagine worst-case scenarios. Break the habit of ruminating on bad outcomes by focusing on what you can control. Recognize your feelings and reactions and permit yourself to feel the way you do. Although avoiding can be useful at times, ignoring strong emotions can have a negative impact. 
• Refuel: Don’t forget to take care of yourself before, during, and after the election. Here are some ideas: Take deep breaths, stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, practice mindfulness, eat nutritious meals, and watch your caffeine intake. 
• • Find an activity that you enjoy and spend time doing it. Consider activities such as being in nature, engaging in an arts and crafts project, reading something fun, baking, playing a game, and listening to music. 
  • Move your body! What type of movement do you enjoy? Moving helps us release the energy we experience when we feel stressed. Move a little every day. Try stretching, taking a walk, dancing, etc. 
  • Practice positive psychology. Seek out positive stories and news. It’s an important reminder of the positive things in life and the strength of the human spirit. Practice gratitude for the things and the people in your life you feel thankful for. 
• Connect: Engage with supportive friends and allies. Talk about current issues, if needed, but be aware of when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Try not to judge your emotions or to judge others. Remember that we are all different and need different things to self-soothe.
• Do Something: Get involved in issues that are meaningful to you. Consider advocacy and community involvement in ways that fit you. 
• Reach Out for Support:  A good place to start is to reflect on what type of support best suits your needs. Please read the below section for help narrowing your search:

It can be important to identify what you are needing in terms of support. Sometimes the answer to that can change multiple times during the day. Here is a broad overview of some of the campus resources available to students:

• RESPITE:
  • If you are in need of a group decompression space that may provide some respite from election conversations. The Department of Health & Wellness has many offerings including:
    • Meditation Groups Practice
    • Wellness Soup Wednesday
    • Wind Down Wednesday
    • Rejuvenation Station
  • CARE (Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education) offers Healing Programs for those who are survivors of trauma including:
    • Sound Healing
    • Let's Start with Art: Exploring Healing Through Creativity
    • Virtual Healing Room
  • In addition, the Department of Recreation has many classes and spaces that can help you decompress including:
    • Adventure Programs
    • Gaucho Rec Classes
    • Access to Rec Facilities (fitness centers, pools, gyms etc)

• GROUP PROCESSING: If you are in need of group discussions, group processing, and                                                  finding likeminded people, there are resources for you including:
  • Shoreline Student Organizations
  • MCC Events and Spaces
  • Cultural Spaces/EOP
  • Women’s Center
  • Associated Student Commissions

• POLITICAL DISCOURSE: If you are hoping to engage in political discourse in a diverse group of people, you can search for academic classes that present these opportunities. Or check out campus events tailored for this purpose.

• SUPPORT IN THE ACADEMIC SPHERE: If you are needing support around academics and navigating the demands of your courses:
  • Talk to your TAs/Professor during office hours!
  • Meet with your Major advisors and your college academic advisors
  • For additional support around academic skills, check out CLAS (Campus Learning Assistance Services)
     
• INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT: 

If you are hoping for individual support regarding the impact of the election or other sources of distress, you have many options at UC Santa Barbara that include:

• UCSB CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services)
• UCSB’s Mental Health Peer Program (Part of CAPS)
• UCSB Social Work Services
• UCSB ADP (Alcohol & Drug Program)
• UWill Online Mental Health Resources & Therapy

​​​For a more comprehensive breakdown of direct mental health support, please visit the mental health section of the wellbeing website:

Mental Health Resources at UCSB