Political pundits would have a much easier job if they started predicting Americans’ stress levels instead of the outcome of the presidential election. No margin of error needed—it’s easy to see we’re all anxious. (Talk about unfavorable polling.)
According to a recent American Psychiatric Association poll, 73 percent of adults in the U.S. are stressed about the race. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey concluded that 65 percent of Americans always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics, while 55 percent report feeling angry. Politics triggers sleep loss, shortened tempers and obsessive thoughts.
As researchers found last year, even election-related anticipatory stress—like ruminating over the social gathering you’re going to with people who support a different candidate—can adversely affect health. “It has immediate consequences,” said study author Shevaun Neupert, a professor in the department of psychology at NC State University. "It's getting under our skin in ways that are affecting our health on a day-to-day basis.” Research has long suggested that stress can make people more susceptible to colds and the flu, as well as debilitating chronic illness. “If someone is having a strong reaction, and it’s impeding their day-to-day functioning, it’s important to talk to someone,” she said. “It’s a very common experience—but that doesn't mean it’s a healthy one."
Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.