Surprise! Presidential Election Is Stressing People Out

Stockbyte/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Are you feeling more than your usual level of stress lately?  You can blame the presidential election.

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 52 percent of American adults report the election’s causing them a significant amount of stress.

Full results of the online survey, conducted last August — before the election got really weird — won’t be published until next year, but the APA released election-related data.

APA executive Lynn Bufka said, “We’re seeing that it doesn’t matter whether you’re registered as a Democrat or Republican — U.S. adults say they are experiencing significant stress from the current election.”

And your party affiliation doesn’t matter: “Across party lines, those registered as Democrats and Republicans are statistically equally likely to say the election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress,” says Bufka. However, the numbers show 59 percent of Republicans report increased stress, compared to 55 percent of Democrats.

It’s showing in social media, too: “Election stress becomes exacerbated by arguments, stories, images and video on social media that can heighten concern and frustration, particularly with thousands of comments that can range from factual to hostile or even inflammatory.”

What to do?  Tune out.  The APA recommends avoiding television and social media, where the 24-hour news cycle focuses on the election, and avoid discussing the election with friends, family members or coworkers.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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