Election causing stress, 52% of adults say in poll

The presidential election is driving people to their wits’ end, according to a new poll from the American Psychological Association.

The poll found that more than half of American adults are stressed — regardless of party affiliation — about the election. To be specific, the poll found 52 percent of Americans ages 18 and older said the election was a somewhat or very significant source of stress, and 38 percent of respondents said political and cultural discussions on social media caused them stress.

Lynn Bufka, executive director for practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association, said in a news release that social media exacerbated the election stress with arguments, stories, images and video that range from factual to inflammatory.

MedlinePlus, a project of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, offered tips to keep calm heading into the Nov. 8 election:

>> Read just enough to stay informed, but turn off the news feed.

>> Be aware of how often you discuss the election with family, friends or co-workers and avoid talking about the election if there’s a risk it could escalate.

>> And most important of all: vote.