Managing Election Stress
Students perceive political events differently than the adults around them due to less involvement in the process while being exposed to the information. Oftentimes, students only hear snippets of political discussions which leads to confusion and fear. The constant media coverage as well as adult discussions can increase symptoms of anxiety. Students are also highly perceptive and can sense the stress and worry adults like their parents and teachers may feel during election times. It is essential for teachers to be equipped with how to have conversations with students about the upcoming election to reassure them and reduce anxiety. Here are some tips for how to do so.
Open Communication
Create space and time to check in with your students. Your students may feel worried, scared, or anxious because of what they hear. Be available to listen to them talk about how they feel and normalize those feelings. Feelings aren’t bad, and we shouldn’t encourage them not to feel a certain way. Instead, validate their emotions, tell them you understand how they’re feeling, and try to help them put their feelings into perspective.
● Here are some tools to that you can use or share with parents to start the conversation:
Keep it age appropriate
Knowing if and how to speak to students about sensitive topics can be challenging. However, we also know that students often hear about popular topics from peers, social media, etc., so it is important to be willing to talk to your students about sensitive matters. A good way to make sure to keep the conversation age-appropriate is to follow their lead. Answer any questions that they bring up, and don’t overcomplicate the issues.
Provide reassurance
Students need reassurance about the stability of their environment. Emphasize that while elections are important, their immediate world—family, friends, and community—remains stable and supportive, regardless of the outcome. Reassure them that adults are working to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Limit media exposure
Be sure to monitor the news that they are taking in (or you are taking in around them) and adult conversation that they may overhear. Limiting the amount of information that they are consuming about the election can help keep anxiety at a minimum.
● Share with your students’ parents: How to create a family tech plan to help monitor exposure to technology
Promote healthy coping mechanisms
If your students are feeling distress or anxiety, equip them with tools such as breathing exercises or encourage them to practice grounding exercises such as naming five things that they see or hear. Additionally, political discussions can lead to differing opinions. Be sure to talk with your students about conflict resolution and model those skills when interacting with other adults.
Learn more about how to manage election stress here.