By Steven Garte-Wolf
In the wake of the recent election, many people find themselves consumed with anxiety, fearing what the outcomes could mean for their lives, communities, and values. It’s a natural response—our brains are wired to anticipate threats. But often, these anticipated threats remain hypothetical. The stress we feel about possible future events can drain us physically and mentally, impacting our well-being long before anything has even come to pass.
The Cost of Worrying About the “What Ifs”
When we fixate on worst-case scenarios, our bodies respond as if we’re already in danger. This “fight or flight” mode evolved to protect us from immediate threats—say, a predator in the wild. But when we chronically stay in this state over imagined outcomes, it takes a toll on our health. Stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, spike, leading to symptoms like muscle tension, digestive issues, headaches, and fatigue. Over time, chronic anxiety can weaken our immune system, increase blood pressure, and even put us at greater risk for conditions like heart disease and depression.
What’s more, anxiety is exhausting. It depletes us of the mental energy needed to take constructive action and to fully engage with the present. It’s as if we’re living in two realities: the one we’re experiencing right now and the one we’re worried might come next.
Why Conserving Energy Matters
It’s counterintuitive, but conserving your energy—saving your worry for when action is truly needed—can actually make you better equipped to handle real problems if they arise. Imagine yourself in a marathon. If you sprint full-force at the beginning, you’ll tire out before the halfway point. But by pacing yourself and saving your energy, you increase your chances of finishing strong.
In the same way, worrying only about problems when they actually exist preserves your emotional and physical resources. If you’re constantly consumed with “what ifs,” you may have little left to respond effectively when it’s time to take real action. By focusing on the here and now, you equip yourself to be resilient and resourceful when you’re truly called to act.
Strategies to Stay Present and Conserve Energy
Here are some practical ways to ground yourself and manage election-related anxiety:
1. Limit Your Media Consumption
Constant updates and opinion pieces can make us feel as though we’re reliving an election day that never ends. Set a specific time each day to check the news, then step away. This gives your mind a break from worry-inducing stimuli and reminds you that not every moment has to be about potential outcomes.
2. Focus on the Present
Practicing mindfulness helps you stay rooted in the current moment, away from imagined fears about the future. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or simply paying attention to your senses can help quiet the “what if” thoughts.
3. Identify What You Can Control
Consider actions you can take right now to support your values and goals. Engaging in local initiatives, volunteering, or supporting causes that matter to you can provide a sense of purpose and agency, helping you feel more grounded.
4. Reframe Your Thoughts
When you find yourself worrying about potential scenarios, try reframing your thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is this happening now, or am I imagining it happening?” This can create a mental boundary between present reality and future fears.
5. Prioritize Self-Care
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quality sleep are all important ways to buffer the physical effects of stress. Taking care of your body also has a positive impact on your mental health, providing a foundation of resilience for times of uncertainty.
The Power of Living in the Now
Anxiety over future events is a common experience, especially in politically uncertain times. By learning to conserve your emotional and physical energy, you allow yourself to be present and fully engaged with life as it is, rather than life as it might be. When real challenges arise, you’ll have the strength, resilience, and focus to respond in the best possible way.
So, as you navigate your feelings in the aftermath of recent events, remember that while worry may feel productive, it’s often a thief of your peace and energy. By choosing to worry only when something is truly happening, you grant yourself the gift of living fully in the present, better equipped to tackle challenges when they come.
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