C-Force: Stress Stacking Up as Election Nears

As reported by U.S. News, a recent survey from the Thriving Center of Psychology states that "72% of Americans are stressing about the upcoming election." Based on what we are seeing, this feels like a low number. At the same time, we are being told the stress of parenting in this country has risen to such a level that Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has labeled it an "urgent public health issue."

According to the surgeon general's advisory, "41% of parents say that most days they are so stressed they cannot function." Nearly 50% of respondents said their sense of stress is "completely overwhelming compared to other parents." In the introduction to the report, Murthy writes: "In my conversations with parents and caregivers across America, I have found guilt and shame have become pervasive, often leading them to hide their struggles, which perpetuates a vicious cycle where stress leads to guilt which leads to more stress."

It's as if a dark cloud is settling over us. And that's happening too -- it's often referred to as the wintertime blues. A recent Washington Post report reminds us that "a growing body of research in psychology and related fields suggests that winter brings some profound changes in how people think, feel and behave." Reporters Michael Varnum and Ian Hohm add that "the natural and cultural changes that come with winter often occur simultaneously." And if you find yourself feeling down during the winter, you are definitely not alone.

According to the Post, "as the days grow shorter, the American Psychiatric Association estimates that about 5 percent of Americans will experience a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD." People with this condition "tend to have feelings of hopelessness, decreased motivation to take part in activities they generally enjoy, and lethargy. Even those who don't meet the clinical threshold for this disorder may see increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms."

All these factors are stacking up against us as one of the most contentious elections in recent history draws nearer by the day.

In a recent U.S. News story on how to manage political stress and anxiety, reporter Elaine K. Howley reminds us that "anxiety spikes when you feel like you don't have control over a situation. And often, we don't have control."

Howley emphasizes focusing on things within our control, as well as the importance of applying holistic self-care. "When in doubt, fall back on the tried-and-true self-care strategies that can help alleviate stress," such as getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep. "Physical well-being directly impacts mental health, so maintaining healthy habits is key," adds Stacy Thiry, a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor.

As Lindsay Richerson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and executive director at Lantana Recovery, explains to U.S. News, the findings of the Thriving Center of Psychology survey "suggest that as the election draws nearer and political tensions rise, the impact on mental health becomes more pronounced." Staying connected and close to loved ones and those we care about is of prime importance in countering what can be toxic and divisive aspects of today's world.

It got me thinking about how to maintain connection with others during this election year. It also got me thinking back to how the pandemic continues to affect our behavior, particularly how we connect with others. This seems particularly true about the ways we give and receive affection. I admit that I am a hugger. And, as you might recall, hugging became a frowned-upon gesture during the socially isolated times of the pandemic. It is an attitude that still exists today.

"During the coronavirus pandemic, it may feel like hugs are a thing of the past," proclaimed a Cleveland Clinic report back in 2020. "In fact, of all the things you may crave during this difficult time, a hug may top the list. ... The longing for human touch and connection is as basic as any human need, and there's strong evidence that hugs don't just make you feel good. Researchers have found that giving your loved ones an affectionate squeeze can be good for your health."

"Unfortunately, most Western people today -- especially people in the United States -- are touch-deprived," reports Healthline's Erica Cirino. "Many people live solitary or busy lives with reduced social interaction and touching. Our modern social conventions often push people not to touch others who aren't directly related to them. However, it seems people could benefit a lot from touching others a bit more." These words were written back in 2018, yet they seem even more true today. We seem more focused on those things that keep us apart than those gestures that bring us together.

"Hugging, it seems, is universally comforting" Cirino writes. "Scientists say that giving another person support through touch can reduce the stress of the person being comforted. It can even reduce the stress of the person doing the comforting. ... Most human communication occurs verbally or through facial expressions. But touch is another important way that people can send messages to one another."

Joe Rock, a psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, says that "hugs cause a decrease in the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, and other research indicates that hugs decrease your blood pressure and heart rate in stressful situations."

"Additional research found that giving and receiving hugs can strengthen your immune system," the Cleveland Clinic reports.

According to the report, Rock notes that the "brain has specific pathways created to detect human touch."

"We can detach ourselves from people and get locked up in our own world," Rock says. "Just the physical act of hugging someone really does connect us with them and lets down some of our defenses." Now, with the quarantining and isolating behind us, a hug could be just the thing we need.

"A consensual and desired hug can be a warm and welcoming greeting ... a signal of friendliness and care," Theodora Blanchfield reminds us in a recent Verywell Mind report.

As the election nears, Howley also points out the importance of trying to "separate people from their perspectives."

"It's possible that not all of your loved ones will have the same political views as you," she writes. "The key to preserving those relationships is to separate the person and why you care about them from your feelings about their political stance."

========

Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook's "Official Chuck Norris Page." He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.