I listened to an interesting podcast about election anxiety recently. The election in America culminates on Tuesday, November 5th. My international readers may be following this closely also since the results will affect the entire world.
The podcaster related that anxiety is high among both Republican and Democrat voters because the polling numbers are so close. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are splitting the vote almost evenly according to most polls. If one candidate were leading the other, say 55%-45%, one side would be disappointed, and the other would be a bit encouraged. However, when both sides are so uncertain of the outcome, both have anxiety. As we know, uncertainty leads to anxiety.
Voters can cast their vote, perhaps put up signs, canvass for their candidate, write letters, etc. but they have no other control of the wider outcome. Anxiety grows where control is limited.
So, my dear American readers, take heart. The malignant, and often ridiculous, political ads will be over on November 6th. Russian bots, and other evildoers who occupy disinformation sites on social media (and there are many) will stop their election tampering – at least temporarily.
The election results are not likely to be known on November 6th. So, there will still be some anxiety for a while, but the end, mercifully, is in sight.
Reflections of a Counselor 