70% of Americans report election stress as midterms approach

Seven in ten Americans report feeling stress or anxiety about the upcoming midterm elections, according to a LifeStance Health survey released in October. The data points to a widespread reaction that health professionals say can move beyond emotional discomfort and affect physical well-being.

Research connects election cycles to measurable changes in cardiovascular health. A study published in JAMA Network Open in 2022 found that hospitalizations for acute cardiovascular conditions rose in the five days following the 2020 presidential election compared to the two weeks prior. Similar patterns appeared in 2020 and 2021 studies analyzing the 2016 election, which documented increases in cardiac arrhythmias and acute cardiovascular disease. These studies establish associations between election timing and heart events, though they do not prove a direct causal link.

The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 69% of U.S. adults cited the presidential election as a major source of stress. Experts suggest that the uncertainty inherent in close races and the volume of information contribute to this burden. Lindsey Rosman, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University, noted that close races often take days to count. She said that knowing this timeline in advance makes the uncertainty easier to manage.

To mitigate these effects, medical professionals recommend creating a specific plan for media consumption. Dr. Megan Kamath, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at UCLA, advised individuals to decide in advance how much news to consume. She suggested prioritizing regular meals, movement, sleep, and enjoyable activities. Kamath also recommended turning off nonessential news notifications and checking updates at planned intervals rather than continuously.

Physical activity and social interaction serve as practical countermeasures to election anxiety. Ashley Huggins, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, stated that exercise, spending time with loved ones, or cooking can help manage stress. Chris Chanyasulkit, a public health expert, observed that a walk often beats another hour of scrolling. Huggins also highlighted the value of guided breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.

Experts caution against using substances like alcohol, nicotine, or extra caffeine to cope, as these can heighten stress responses. Rosman advised putting screens away an hour before bed to prevent the stress response from staying active overnight. She emphasized that results will be the same if seen the next morning. Finally, Huggins and other experts warned to be wary of misinformation, noting that strong emotional reactions to a claim can signal that it may not be fully accurate.