MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – People experiencing stress and anxiety following the 2024 election results can take simple steps to regulate their nervous systems.
Since Tuesday’s election, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has seen an increase in distress calls coming into the 988 Crisis Lifeline, partially due to the election.
”Whether you’re on the right or the left and your candidate just won or just lost, the magnification of the emotions that are surrounding our belief systems right now are dialed up,” UW Madison Center for Healthy Minds research scientist Cortland Dahl said. ”People are overwhelmed right now, simply put.”
Dahl said people’s brain patterns are connected with the nervous system and both experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.
”There is so much anxiety provoking information and people are glued to their devices in a way that’s, even relative to normal times we’re all glued to our devices,” Dahl said. “People are just consuming so much information and getting really freaked out, upset and anxious.”
Dahl said people can improve their mental health by breathing mindfully, connecting with loved ones and getting fresh air.
”It doesn’t have to be some heavy thing,” he said. “It’s just little small steps repeated throughout your day and it can completely the course of how we deal with stressful situations.”
Some Madison voters are still feeling negative due to the election’s presidential result.
“[I’m feeling] depressed,” David Pfahning said. ”I don’t think there’s going to be anything I’m going to learn. I got the results, I’m not happy but that’s the way it is.” He tries not to spend too much time on his phone, but more time on his bicycle.
”I’m afraid of what’s to come,” Susan Gaeddert said. ”I try to get outside. I planted garlic yesterday in my garden which felt really good. I try to keep moving and I talk to friends and family to keep busy and a sense of routine.”
Gaeddert takes her mind off of the election results by spending time in nature and said maintaining community is the best way for society to move on. ”I think our job moving forward is to take care of each other,” she said. “And protect people who are vulnerable.”
Research scientist Dahl said empathy, openness and humility can also help people communicate well with one another to decrease the tension that can trigger mental health distress.
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