This Election Cycle Has Left Me Overweight, Anxious, and Dealing with Breakouts. Thanks, Donald.

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Does anyone else feel like their life has been completely altered by this election? I’m anxious, waking up in the wee hours with a racing heart, snapping at my family more than usual, and my blood pressure skyrockets every time I hear a news update. And let’s not even talk about my newfound hobby of baking cookies that I tell myself are for my kids. I’ve visited the liquor store more this past month than I ever thought I would, and let’s just say the staff there look a bit worn out but still managing to smile.

As I sit here, I find myself stress-eating all of my children’s Halloween candy while obsessively checking FiveThirtyEight. Honestly, Donald isn’t making America great again; he’s turning us into a nation of stressed-out snackers.

I can envision a future where historians assign a name to our collective anxiety once this election wraps up. They might even need to create a new category in the DSM to account for the stress and anxiety that this election has caused, particularly for those of us already prone to such feelings (raises hand). It’s like we’re all trying to claw our way out of a massive pit filled with racism, misinformation, and poorly articulated thoughts.

The most heart-wrenching aspect of all this has been the pervasive sadness. I watch good-hearted people — friends and family — blindly following a man who seems to thrive on chaos, and it worries me for the future of humanity. I’m counting down the days until this is all behind us.

Here are a few ways I’ve been struggling to cope with it all:

1. I find myself reading articles about another outrageous comment from Trump at a rally, and suddenly I’m chewing my nails down to the quick.
2. I’ve hidden yet another friend on Facebook because I can’t handle the avalanche of misinformation they keep sharing. I even contemplate whether having beer at lunch is a good idea.
3. I’m listening to podcasts and hear that a third of Americans still think Obama is a Muslim. Really?! I start plotting my escape route to Canada.
4. I check the FiveThirtyEight polls for the umpteenth time that day and treat myself to a donut. Or maybe a whole box of donuts. Who’s counting?
5. I see friends dressing up as Hillary in a prison outfit for Halloween and worry about their lives and their children’s futures. How are we living in the same reality?
6. I watch videos from Trump rallies and fear that things could escalate if he loses. I worry about the individuals in those crowds — do they own firearms? It feels like hate is the fuel driving them. Cue my deep breathing exercises.
7. I read the news and am shocked to discover that some people outright dismiss fact-checkers. I slam down the paper and whip up a batch of pumpkin bread, which I inevitably devour before anyone else gets home.
8. I watch comedy shows struggling to find humor in this election mess, and I end up yelling at my kids to clean their rooms or do anything — just get out of my face because I have zero patience left.
9. I see the arguments erupting in the comments section of every political post and wish everyone would just take a breath and think before they type. Then I pour myself a glass of wine because the comments section drives me to drink.
10. My 5-year-old asks if the “bad man” is gone yet. Even she can sense the tension. I think about enrolling her in karate so she can defend herself against men like him. Don’t even think about grabbing her — she’ll take you down.
11. I hear he might not concede if he loses. I find myself grateful that I don’t live next door to any of his supporters.

So, no, I’m not handling this well at all. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this struggle.

For the next week, let’s give each other some grace and room to be irritable and cranky until this chaos subsides. Then, we can go back to reconnecting with friends and loved ones on social media and start worrying about the holidays, like we usually do. I hope!

For more insights on how to navigate these tumultuous times, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, visit Make A Mom to explore their excellent selection of products. For additional resources on pregnancy and home insemination, Parents provides invaluable information.

Summary:

In this candid reflection, Sarah Thompson shares her struggles with anxiety, weight gain, and emotional turmoil during the current election cycle, highlighting the impact of political stress on mental well-being. With humor and honesty, she navigates the challenges of dealing with misinformation, family dynamics, and the pervasive anxiety surrounding the election.