Shmaya Krinsky | Source | Licensed Psychologist (PsyD) | Founder at Anxiety and Behavioral Health Psych...

Thoughts on how to cope with political/election anxiety: "Coping with political or election anxiety using a cognitive behavioral, exposure-based model involves mindfully accepting the possibly negative (even worst-case) scenario and avoiding avoidance behaviors or safety strategies. Begin by acknowledging that feeling anxious about elections is natural and clearly define what you perceive as the worst possible outcome, then practice mindfulness to sit with this scenario, observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Recognize that while the outcome might be unpleasant, it is not the end of the world, and you have the capacity to cope and adapt. Rather than avoiding news or discussions about the election, engage with them mindfully by setting specific times to check updates and gradually reducing safety behaviors like seeking excessive reassurance or avoiding conversations about politics. Balance staying informed with avoiding information overload by choosing reliable sources and limiting the amount of time spent on election news each day. Reflect on your core values related to politics and civic engagement, such as justice, equality, community, or environmental sustainability, and take actions that align with these values. This can include volunteering for a political campaign or advocacy group, educating yourself and others about the issues at stake, participating in civic activities, engaging in community service, practicing self-care, or using creative expression to convey your thoughts and emotions about the political situation. Combining mindful acceptance, exposure to triggers, and engaging in value-based behaviors helps manage political or election anxiety effectively, empowering you to take meaningful actions aligned with your values."

Quote from Sleepopolis Article on How a Regular Sleep Schedule Affects Your Mood:
"During different times of day, there are peaks and valleys in terms of energy, alertness, feelings of calm, and anxiety, explains Dr. Shmaya Krinsky, a licensed psychologist and the founder of Anxiety and Behavioral Health Psychotherapy. So, when circadian rhythms are out of wack, they disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

On a secondary level, Dr. Krinsky explains how awake and alert you are also strongly related to how you respond to stressors throughout the day. “When you first awake in the morning, your circadian rhythm will dictate that you are not as alert as you will be later in the day, which makes you more susceptible to stress early,” he says. So, an annoying work email can trigger different stress levels depending on the time of day it lands in your inbox."

"For many people, especially younger people, social media can cause sleep disturbances. This might be because they're on their phones until late at night -- scientific studies show that the blue light that's emitted from screens directly interferes with sleep. Social media also tends to make anxiety worse; you might start comparing yourself with others' highlight reels and find yourself in a negative thought cycle about your own life. Sleep troubles and social media can also get caught in a Catch-22 of sorts; social media may affect your sleep, and when you're sleep-deprived, you're more vulnerable to the negative effects of social media. That's why it's so important to be mindful of social media use if you're struggling with sleep."