If election anxiety is affecting your job performance, you are not alone. According to the latest survey by the American Psychiatric Association, adults in the United States are increasingly anxious. 73% of respondents admitted to being anxious about the presidential election. A study from North Carolina State University even found that anticipatory Choice-related stress has negative side effects. Shevaun Neupert, author of the study and professor of psychology at North Carolina State University, says: “It is well known that stress can negatively affect our health. This study shows us that thinking that we will experience stress in the near future can also negatively affect our health.”

Election anxiety – also known as election stress disorder (ESD) – is a feeling of overwhelming stress that manifests itself in different ways. Dr. Steven Stosny, a therapist and author, first coined the term in 2016 after being inundated with patient calls during the election. Although it is not a scientific diagnosis, symptoms include trouble sleeping, headaches, body tension, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. If neglected, ESD can even lead to hopelessness and sometimes depression.

While it’s natural to feel anxious during uncertain times, it shouldn’t come at the expense of your mental and physical health. Here are some ways to prevent election anxiety from sabotaging your work performance.

Analyze the problem

In the North Carolina State University study, researchers found that people can maintain their health by using problem analysis. Problem analysis involves people thinking critically about why they believe they will experience stress in the future.

The most important steps include:

• Clearly define the problem
• Consider the impact of the problem
• Identifying the root cause
• Formulate a solution

By identifying, analyzing and developing a solution, participants reported no deterioration in their physical health.

Change your perspective

Although it’s easy to get caught up in the political madness, try to keep things in perspective. Don’t imagine the worst-case scenario. Instead, take a step back to look at the bigger picture and challenge negative thought patterns. Focus on the things in your life that really matter, like friends and family. Staying connected with the people you care about will give you the emotional support you need to cope with any election outcome.

Set healthy boundaries

While it’s important to stay informed, certain news stories may trigger election anxiety in you. To prevent the political environment from affecting your work performance, set healthy boundaries. For example, create a schedule and only read the news twice a day. Set time limits to resist the temptation to endlessly scroll through social media. Finally, choose reliable news sources with a history of integrity and accuracy. Relying on reputable media outlets will keep you well-informed without being exposed to false or inaccurate information.

Separate people from viewpoints

You should feel safe and respected in the office, but when coworkers have different political views, tension can arise. To stay calm, focus on your work performance. When politics comes up, try to keep the conversation professional. Show empathy and recognize that everyone has a different background that influences their worldview. Instead of trying to convince someone of your opinion, stay curious and try to understand their perspective. If a conversation gets heated or you decide not to talk about politics, simply say, “I respect your point of view, but I think it’s best to focus on work.”

Turning election fear into action

A major reason so many of us have election anxiety is because our brains have trouble dealing with uncertainty. When you’re afraid of the unknown, it helps to focus on things you can control. So instead of giving in to stress, take decisive action. For example, you can volunteer for your candidates, sign up to be a poll worker, or simply encourage people to vote. Be a role model for those around you. By putting your energy into making a difference, you’ll feel less restless and more grounded.

While election anxiety is natural, you don’t have to let it affect your job performance. By using these tips and training your mind, you’ll be better prepared for any outcome.