Election anxiety is real. Here's how to deal with it

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After months of being bombarded with negative ads and non-stop news coverage of everything the candidates say and do, many are excited to put this election season past them.

A recent Forbes Health study reported 61% of people say the presidential election is having a negative effect on their mental health.

Some people, like Lynn and Diane Dundee, turn that anxiety into action. They voted early at the Zeidler Municipal Building in Milwaukee.

"We want this process to move along," Diane said.

But both admit that the lead-up to Election Day will be stressful.

"It's just so tight, you wonder all the time what's going to happen," Lynn said.

When asked if early voting gave her a sense of relief, Diane said the stress will come back while waiting for results.

"There will only be a sense of relief if the candidate we're interested in wins," she said. "Otherwise, there won't be a sense of relief."

Mitch Vogel, licensed professional counselor with Ascension Wisconsin, says a stressed-out electorate is no surprise. For months, people have been told that if the other side wins the election, the country is headed for disaster. Vogel says social media benefits from playing into people's darkest fears.

"On most social media platforms, you are going to be served stories that are similar to ones you've already viewed and engaged with," he said. "On a long enough timeline, that can lead to people being siloed into specific ways of thought."

What should people who feel election anxiety do about it? Vogel says to log off of social media, turn off the TV, get outside. Avoiding everything related to the election might not be an effective mindset - seeking out something you love as an alternative is a better way to think about it. Vogel also said there is one foolproof way to feel better.

"Doing something kind for another person is the most effective way that you can get rid of negative feelings, at least in the short term," he said.

CBS 58's Michele Fiore spent the day with others in the Milwaukee area providing more physical means of getting rid of stress on this week before the election.

Political ads a week before the election stressing you out? We've got some solutions.

"Whichever side you're on you see that one more political ad and you just feel like throwing something at it or smashing it well here you can smash our TV," said Glenda Hobey, Owner, Smash Zone LLC.

Smash Zone in Wauwatosa is offering up their finest breakables for you to bust into bits this election week.

"We want to make sure that people know that we're here at a time where it is high anxieties," said Hobey.

To reach a greater audience, Hobey's running a radio ad because rage-release is something near and dear to her own heart after losing her 18-year-old daughter Victoria to cancer.

In Riverwest, there's a space for release too, with boxing classes at Dropout Fight Club. Owner Otto Ohlsson's been boxing since he was 12 and opened the club during another emotionally charged year, 2020, the pandemic.

"Hey, you got some aggression, come here and get rid of it in a positive way, you know what I mean," said Ohlsson.

He says no matter which side of the political fence you're on, when you come in here, it's with one purpose.

"So, it's not something that's talked about, but I think when you're in that moment and you just switch everything else off, I think that's the moment that matters," said Ohlsson.

If you're looking for a more peaceful means of release, UW Milwaukee's offering a class on Friday, Nov. 8. Calm and Crafty invites students feeling overwhelmed to get artsy and zen out through arts and crafts.