Election stress is real. How UVA helps students

The goal, Ruzek said, is to reassure students that they are not the only ones feeling stressed about the election and to “hopefully give them some strategies to deal with that stress so they can move forward.” “Be able to focus on the normal stressors they’re already going through and engage with them in good self-care.”

These steps can help

Student Health and Wellness has identified five steps to help students deal with election stress: unplug, be present, rest, connect with others and move the body.

Ruzek said some of the issues discussed in the presidential campaign, such as climate change, reproductive rights and the economy, could be overwhelming if consumed in large quantities through activities like doomscrolling.

“It’s really helpful to unplug, put down the phone and get away from the laptop,” she said. “It can be really helpful to take some time to disconnect from the technology that connects us to these stories and really reconnect with some things that might bring our energy back and help us become more connected to feel connected to people and our community.”

Likewise, being present in the moment is grounding, Ruzek said. “Whether it’s being nice to a friend or simply taking care of yourself or doing a favor for someone else, simply being present with what’s right in front of us can often feel more powerful and less anxious,” said she.

Being well-rested also promotes mental health. “The ability to care for yourself, whether through sleep, exercise or good nutrition, is extremely important,” Ruzek said. Without a strong foundation, “everything else tends to be more difficult,” she said.

Human connection is also beneficial. The mental health specialist said engaging in supportive relationships and enjoyable activities was “life-enhancing.”

Finally, physical exercise also helps. “Moving your body can help stimulate positive hormones and endorphins, which lead to a better mood,” Ruzek said. It can easily happen that you sit on the phone for too long and scroll or overwhelm yourself with schoolwork. “It is therefore important that you also do physical activity to maintain your health.”

Student Health and Wellness offers an elective week individual support drop-in sessions November 6th and 7th. Registration is not required. It also offers drop-in sessions how to manage stress effectively on Monday and again on November 22nd. The second appointment is aimed at students who feel stressed by both the final exams and the results after the election.

Counseling and psychological services, also known as CAPS, will continue to be offered other mental health support.

UVA’s Center for Politics put together one nonpartisan voting resources site. Early voting is underway in Virginia. Early ballots can be dropped off at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections in Charlottesville until November 1st.