Take care of yourself after the election with these tips (+ mental health resources in NC)

In the days following this high-stakes election, we should all take the time we need to best care for ourselves.

Here are some tips and resources you may find helpful.

Dealing with post-election anxiety

Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit mental health organization, offers the following tips for coping with post-election anxiety:

• Reach out to others: Don’t isolate yourself. Instead, connect with someone you trust to share your thoughts.

• Keep a journal: If you can’t talk to someone, try writing down your thoughts. Putting your feelings on paper can help you make sense of them.

• Practice self-care: Just like before the election, self-care activities can help relieve stress.

• Just listen: Ask open-ended questions to gain insight into others’ experience. Acknowledge their emotions and reassure them that their feelings are valid.

• Avoid overextending yourself: Make sure to prioritize your own well-being and attend to your needs before offering support to others. (Dive deeper at crisistextline.org.)

It can also be helpful to limit screen time by learning a new skill or picking up a new hobby, according to Stony Brook University.

Therapy can also be beneficial to sort through any tough feelings you may have.

Resources for dealing with election anxiety

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. (More: 988lifeline.org)

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264, or text “HelpLine” to 62640 to connect with a NAMI volunteer. (More: nami.org)

• Crisis Text Line: Text “ELECTION” to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. (More: crisistextline.org)

• HopeLine: 919-231-4525. The family crisis line is available 24/7. (More: hopeline-nc.org)

North Carolina mental health organizations + resources

You can also check out our extensive list of mental health resources for a variety of groups in North Carolina: newsobserver.com/news.

This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Take care of yourself after the election with these tips (+ mental health resources in NC)."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.