By Akanksha Goyal
Boston University News Service
As millions of Americans headed to the polls yesterday, a palpable sense of anxiety loomed over the country. With high stakes, divisive issues and a charged political atmosphere, voters were feeling the weight of their choices and stress levels were mounting.
A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that 69% of U.S. adults consider the 2024 presidential election a significant source of stress. While the numbers show only a 1% increase from 2020, they represent a dramatic surge from 2016, when only 52% reported election-related anxiety.
The poll suggests that this year’s tension is especially heightened, in part due to concern over dire consequences from the results.
With more than seven in 10 adults concerned about potential violence and more than half fearing this election could signal the end of democracy in the country, Americans are finding it necessary to take extra steps to preserve their peace of mind.
Experts across the nation are stepping in to help keep emotions in check. Nina Vasan, a psychiatrist at the Stanford University School of Medicine, told Scientific American that the current levels of depression and concern over the future are unlike anything she has seen before. She said setting firm limits on news and social media consumption can help avoid the sense of dread.
In Massachusetts, the intensity of this year’s race appears to be driving voters to the polls early and in force, with Secretary of State William Galvin telling reporters during a Monday press conference that turnout is expected to exceed previous records.
Emily Bolles said she took a work-from-home day yesterday to ensure she could cast her ballot. Like many young Americans, the Boston University law student said she approached this election with a complex mix of emotions.
“I am really nervous, but I’m cautiously hopeful,” she said, her voice reflecting the tension many voters were feeling. “There’s a lot at stake in this outcome for a lot of people.”
Her concerns encompass implications for democracy, the economy, accessible health care and many other fundamental issues facing the nation.
The potential impact on the Supreme Court also weighed heavily on her mind. Bolles said she worries that, with the court already holding a conservative majority, new appointments could solidify this direction for years.
After the Dobbs decision, she said reproductive rights make this contest feel “bigger and scarier” than previous ones for her.
To manage the election anxiety, Bolles said she’s developed her own coping mechanisms. She’s found solace in stress-baking and running to relieve tension. Perhaps most tellingly, she said she attended an election watch party with a twist – one where they won’t actually watch the election results.
Bolles said: “We’re turning our phones off because there’s nothing we can do about it at this point.”