Election Stress Toolkit

Coping with Election Stress

Unplug

Limit your consumption of social media and the 24-hour non-stop images. It’s important to stay informed, but creating boundaries is important.

Be present

Use reflection to recognize your inner thoughts and feelings. Be curious and non-judgmental and give yourself permission to feel the way you do. Although avoiding can be useful, “stuffing” or ignoring strong emotions can have negative impacts.

Refuel

Focus on restoring yourself with rest and healthy food. Drink water and try to limit caffeine. Move a little every day. Take a walk; look at the sky; be in nature. Journal or meditate. Make art or watch funny videos. Read something fun.

Connect

Engage with supportive friends and allies. Talk about current issues, if needed, but be aware of when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Not everyone will share your perspective, so it’s OK to limit your topics and avoid heated conflict. Reach out to supportive services on-campus, including CAPS.

Do something

Channel what you’re feeling into positive, meaningful activity. Be informed and proactive around issues that matter to you. Find ways to engage in your community through advocacy in ways that fit for you.

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Tips to Reduce Stress During Elections

As Argos continue to be actively engaged citizens, we want to remind our community how they can help manage and reduce stress this election season.

Focus on your well-being

Students are encouraged to take advantage of ArgoWell—a University resource that helps provide education, resources, tools and programming to enhance vital areas of your well-being such as mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health.

Take a break to refuel

It's important to practice self-care. Try finding a healthy escape by channeling what you’re feeling into positive, meaningful activity. UWF Recreation offers several virtual experiences to help.

Seek peer support

Talk to peers about current issues, if needed, but be aware of when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Not everyone will share the same perspective as you, try limiting your topics and avoid heated conflict. Students can also receive and give support to peers anonymously in an online community via TogetherAll.

Share that you voted

As you exercise your right to vote, make sure to share on social media that #ArgosVote! Get UWF voting stickers to use on social media. 

Join the conversation

Each month, the Office of Equity and Diversity hosts conversations for the campus community to come together, discuss and unpack their thoughts and feelings on topics ranging from democracy and election issues to gender identity and healthcare. This is a great opportunity have meaningful discussions with topic experts and campus leaders.

Get involved

Participation in student organizations fosters civic engagement on campus and allows for thoughtful reflection on shared experiences. Explore Argo Pulse for student organizations that give you the opportunity to take action on causes and issues important to you while building skills that can benefit you in the future—including communication, leadership and critical thinking. 

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Campus Resources