Psychologist are recommending limiting your media consumption to help reduce anxiety.
Written by Kate Jones
Video by Rawan Hamade
Interactive by Kendra Seguin
In a recent poll from Leger and the Association for Canadian studies, they found three-quarters of Canadians surveyed are worried about the US election.
The poll, conducted from Oct. 30th to Nov.1st, surveyed 1,516 Canadians from an online panel and did have a margin of error since they are “considered random”, according to an article by CP24.
Janice Aragon, a Political Science Professor at the University of Victoria, said that Canadians experienced anxiety during the U.S. elections because we’re so close.
“Canada shares a border with the US and there is a trickle-up effect for politics, popular culture, and the economy,” says Aragon
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In the same survey, 80 per cent of Canadians feared there would be “a complete breakdown of the political system in the US, leading to a period of social chaos”, revealing some election anxiety in Canadians.
Peggy Nash, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, said she’s concerned with the U.S. 2020 election since there is “such a stark division in the United States and that the outgoing president is refusing to accept the results.”
Political Science Professor at the University of British Columbia, Glen Coulthard believes that the results of the U.S. election will directly affect Canadians.
“Canada has a very close relationship with the US. I believe Canadians think the results of the election will have an overall impact on Canadian issues,” says Coulthard, “ I’ll give an example, look at trade.”
According to Psychiatric Times, “anxiety refers to a prolonged state of apprehension brought on by uncertainty about future threats,” like waiting for the results of the election.
To reduce election anxiety, author Flecther Wortman from Psychology Today suggests, reducing media consumption, “staying informed, but not obsessively vigilant.”
Healthing.ca, also suggests a support system, meaning “a group chat with friends, talking with a therapist, your neighbors, coworkers, or family members” to talk to when you’re feeling stressed.
Ways to Cope With Election Anxiety Kendra Seguin/JRN 270
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