Election Stress Is Real. Here’s How UVA Is Helping Students

The goal, Ruzek said, is to reassure students they are not alone in feeling stressed about the election and to “hopefully give them some strategies to manage that stress so that they can focus on the normal stressors that they’re already going through and engage in some good self-care.”

These Steps Can Help

Student Health and Wellness has identified five steps to help students cope with election stress: unplug, be present, rest, connect with others and move your body.

Ruzek said some of the issues being debated during the presidential campaigns, like climate change, reproductive rights and the economy, can be overwhelming when consumed in large quantities through activities like doomscrolling.  

“It’s really helpful to unplug, put the phone down and get away from the laptop,” she said. “Taking some time to unplug from technology that’s connecting us with these stories and really reconnecting with some things that might bring our energy back and help us feel more connected to people and our community” can really help.

Nicole Ruzek, UVA’s chief mental health officer, said her team is offering students additional support this fall as students adjust to academic life at the University amid a “particularly contentious election.” (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Likewise, being present in the moment is grounding, Ruzek said. “Whether that’s being kind to a friend or simply just taking care of ourselves or doing a favor for someone else – really just being present with what’s right in front of us often can feel more empowering and less anxiety-provoking,” she said.

Being well-rested also juices good mental health. “Being able to attend to one’s self-care, whether that be through sleep or exercise or good nutrition, is super important,” Ruzek said. Without a strong foundation, “everything else tends to be more difficult,” she said.

Human connection is also nurturing. The mental health specialist said plugging in with supportive relationships and pleasurable activities is “life-enhancing.”

Finally, physical exercise helps, too. “Moving your body can help stimulate positive hormones and endorphins that lead to a better mood,” Ruzek said. It can be easy to sit on the phone and scroll for too long or get overwhelmed with schoolwork. “So, making sure that you’re also getting physical exercise that keeps you healthy” is important.

Student Health and Wellness therapy dog Toby was on hand Wednesday for some cuddly nuzzles from third-year students Nala Williams and Marianna Sherry at a stress relief event. Toby's handler is Paula Ball. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Student Health and Wellness is offering election week individual support drop-in sessions Nov. 6 and 7. No registration is needed. It is also offering drop-in sessions on how to manage stress effectively on Monday and again on Nov. 22. The second date is aimed at students feeling stress from both finals and post-election results.

Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS, will continue to offer other mental health support.

UVA’s Center for Politics has assembled a nonpartisan page of voting resources. Early voting is underway in Virginia. Early ballots can be cast in Charlottesville between now and Nov. 1 at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections.