JMU professor: focus on relationships, health this election season

Focusing on family and friends is one way people can cope during a stressful election season, says JMU psychology professor Ben Blankenship.   

“Focus on the fact that regardless of the outcome of the election, and the downstream consequences, that friends and family will still be there and are still important,” Blankenship said. “This can make people feel less alone and more supported.”    

Blankenship also offers these tips:  

• Limiting media exposure: “It is important that people take time to decompress and pull away from the media circus, as much as they can,” he said. 

• Healthy social media habits: When using social media, take a moment to think about the purpose for using it. If logging in to connect with family and friends, don’t deviate from that. 

• Become engaged: A perceived lack of control over the election outcome can add stress for many people. “Building a sense of political efficacy—the belief that one’s actions can influence political processes—can alleviate this dread,” Blankenship said. This can be achieved through voting, political engagement or community organizing. 

• Focus on health and well-being: Take time to reflect on emotions. Meditation and yoga can be beneficial ways to reflect. "It’s important for us to recognize that emotions are protective because they help us learn things about our environment and make judgements about things in our environment," Blankenship said. "It’s what we do as a result of those that can be problematic."