Politics

Dealing with post-election stress? Now’s the time to breathe.

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2024

Dealing with post-election stress? Now’s the time to breathe.

Many of us woke up Wednesday morning — if we slept at all — anxious about how to speak to our children, loved ones and how to feel ourselves.

The 2024 presidential election has left our country more polarized than ever. With now President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, many Americans are feeling angry, fearful and deeply concerned about the future. As a physician who has worked in health policy at the highest levels of government, I’ve seen firsthand how political divisions can impact people’s well-being.

We need to recognize that the deep partisan polarization in our country didn’t start with Trump, and it won’t end with his re-election.

I’ve also witnessed the resilience of the American people and our ability to come together in times of crisis. As we look ahead to the next four years, there are some key steps we can take to begin healing our national wounds and bridging the divides that threaten to tear us apart.

First, we need to recognize that the deep partisan polarization in our country didn’t start with Trump, and it won’t end with his re-election. The roots of our current divisions go back decades, fueled by economic inequality, cultural changes and an increasingly siloed media landscape. Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and norm-breaking behavior have certainly exacerbated these divisions. But simply removing him from office was never going to be a panacea. We must address the underlying factors that have led so many Americans to feel angry, disenfranchised and disconnected from their fellow citizens.

That starts with rebuilding trust, in our institutions, in our democracy, and in each other. Trust in government and the media is at historic lows, with many Americans retreating into partisan echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs. We need to create more opportunities for genuine dialogue and understanding across political and cultural lines. This means getting out of our comfort zones and engaging respectfully with those who hold different views. It also requires a shared commitment to facts and truth, even when they challenge our preconceptions.

At the same time, we can’t ignore the very real policy differences and values that divide us as a nation. On issues from health care to immigration to climate change, there are fundamental disagreements about the role of government and the direction our country should take. These debates are a healthy and necessary part of democracy. But we must find ways to disagree without demonizing those on the other side or questioning their basic humanity and patriotism.

As a doctor, I know that healing starts with treating the symptoms of here and now. When patients are presenting with symptoms that are consistent with grief reactions, post-traumatic stress and affective disorders, there are some simple practices I often suggest:

1. Take a news break: Allow yourself 1-2 hours away from all news and social media by putting the phone down and walking outside, rain or shine. This can help lower your stress levels and provide mental space.

2. Practice deep breathing: Try the 4-7-8 technique: Inhale for four counts, hold for seven, exhale for eight. Repeat 4 times.

3. Use grounding exercises: Focus on your five senses to anchor yourself in the present moment. Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

4. Engage in physical activity: Even a short walk or some stretching can help reduce anxiety and improve mood.

5. Connect with supportive people: Reach out to friends or family who can offer comfort and understanding.

6. Practice self-compassion: Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. It’s OK to feel upset or anxious.

7. Focus on what you can control: Make a list of small, positive actions you can take in your community or personal life.

Remember, it’s normal to feel strong emotions during this time.

Remember, it’s normal to feel strong emotions during this time. If your distress persists or interferes with daily functioning, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

Ultimately, healing our national divisions will require sustained effort from leaders and citizens alike. We need a renewed commitment to civic education, community building and the shared values that have long united Americans across partisan lines. We must resist the forces seeking to pull us apart and remember that what we have in common as Americans is far greater than our differences.

The road ahead won’t be easy. But I remain optimistic about our ability to overcome this difficult moment and emerge as a stronger, more united nation. Time and again throughout our history, Americans have risen to meet grave challenges. By recommitting ourselves to our highest ideals and to each other, we can do so once again.

Dr. Kavita Patel

Dr. Kavita Patel is a teaching professor of medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine at Stanford University and a board certified internal medicine physician. She served in the Obama administration as director of policy for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement in the White House. Her area of expertise is around the intersection of health policy, clinical medicine and innovation. She also spends time advising venture capital and is a medical contributor for NBC news.

Politics

Cruz and Blackburn meet Trump to discuss tech policy

Published

7 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Cruz and Blackburn meet Trump to discuss tech policy

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Politics

South Carolina Senate poll shows surprising frontrunner: Trey Gowdy

Published

7 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Former Rep. Trey Gowdy insists he’s not interested in running in the South Carolina special election. But a new poll suggests Gowdy would be formidable if he changed his mind.

Gowdy holds a massive lead over seven other potential and declared GOP candidates for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat, according to a poll from Republican-aligned firm Peak Insights that was obtained by POLITICO.

Gowdy draws 38 percent of the vote. The actual candidates in the race are bunched closely, with no clear frontrunner: Rep. Ralph Norman trails at 13 percent support, followed closely by both Rep. Russell Fry and Sen. Darline Graham, Lindsey’s sister who is running for a full term after being appointed, who both sit at 9 percent. Businessman Mark Lynch, a self-funder who lost a Senate primary to Graham last summer, pulls 7 percent support. The survey of 900 likely GOP primary voters for South Carolina’s special election was conducted before anyone formally entered the contest.

The election will be a test of Trump’s power. He endorsed Darline Graham last week, but that hasn’t stopped other prominent South Carolina Republicans from jumping in the race, all of them touting their loyalty to the president — despite not having his formal support.

And at least according to the poll, his endorsement doesn’t shift things much. When respondents are informed that Trump “asked Darline Graham Nordone to run in the special election for U.S. Senate, saying if she runs, she has his complete and total endorsement,” Graham’s support improves from 9 percent to 16 percent, and Gowdy falls from 38 percent to 35 percent.

The poll is a sign of why some prominent Republicans — like his longtime friend, Sen. Tim Scott — may want Gowdy in the race. Peak Insights has polled for Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, as well as the NRSC and the Republican National Committee among many others.

Gowdy left the U.S. House in 2019 and now hosts a show on Fox News. Through a spokesperson, he said he “has not had any conversations about the open senate seat and does not have any interest in it.”

That hasn’t stopped Scott from pushing his longtime buddy to run. Scott advocated for Gowdy to be appointed to the vacant Senate seat after Lindsey Graham’s death, before South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to the seat. Scott announced last week he was recruiting Gowdy to run in the special election, before Graham announced she would run.

“I can’t think of a better person that I think best represents the heart of South Carolina than Trey Gowdy,” said Scott during a press conference Wednesday. “I’m trying to get him interested in it, but we’ll see if that works out at all.”

Scott and the NRSC have not yet issued an endorsement in the special election. Scott praised Graham during a Fox News interview Monday, saying she is “strong so far, calm under pressure, and really poised.”