Experts warn against poll overreliance as election anxiety looms
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Election Day approaches, voters across the nation are grappling with heightened anxiety and uncertainty. With just over 24 hours left until voting locations close, many are turning to polling numbers in search of insight on the upcoming results. However, experts caution against placing too much faith in these figures. Political analyst Rich Meagher said that, while polls can provide a glimpse into public opinion, they are not guaranteed to reflect election outcomes. "Getting too caught up in what polls are telling you, whether it gives you a boost, like 'Oh, my candidate's going to win,' or makes you depressed because you think your candidate's going to lose," Meagher said. "But the one thing you don't want to do is put too much stock in a single number that you think tells you everything you want to know or don't want to know." Recent research from the American Psychological Association indicates that 77% of adults view the future of the United States as a significant stressor, with the impending election closely following at 69%. Meagher warned that polls should be seen as tools for tracking trends rather than definitive indicators of electoral success. "It's like calling a race in the halfway mark or saying a baseball game is over in the fifth inning. All the votes have to be counted, all the runs have to be scored," Meagher said. "It's hard to hear, it's hard to know you might go to bed Tuesday night not knowing what the outcome is." Mental health professionals are also noticing an uptick in anxiety among their patients. Licensed counselor Alexandra Cromer noted that the emotional weight of the election has led to feelings of fear, depression, and hopelessness for many individuals. "A lot of fear, a lot of depression, feeling hopeless. A lot of anxious rumination, a lot of feeling like 'Well, I have to hope for the best, prepare for the worst,'" Cromer said about what her patients are experiencing. To help mitigate this anxiety, Cromer recommends individuals take proactive steps like limiting time on social media or only watching the news once a day. She also advises keeping busy to distract from the anxiety surrounding the election. As the clock ticks down to Election Day, experts encourage voters to remain mindful of their mental health and to remember that the full picture of the election results may take time to emerge.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Election Day approaches, voters across the nation are grappling with heightened anxiety and uncertainty.
With just over 24 hours left until voting locations close, many are turning to polling numbers in search of insight on the upcoming results. However, experts caution against placing too much faith in these figures.
Political analyst Rich Meagher said that, while polls can provide a glimpse into public opinion, they are not guaranteed to reflect election outcomes.
"Getting too caught up in what polls are telling you, whether it gives you a boost, like 'Oh, my candidate's going to win,' or makes you depressed because you think your candidate's going to lose," Meagher said. "But the one thing you don't want to do is put too much stock in a single number that you think tells you everything you want to know or don't want to know."
Recent research from the American Psychological Association indicates that 77% of adults view the future of the United States as a significant stressor, with the impending election closely following at 69%.
Meagher warned that polls should be seen as tools for tracking trends rather than definitive indicators of electoral success.
"It's like calling a race in the halfway mark or saying a baseball game is over in the fifth inning. All the votes have to be counted, all the runs have to be scored," Meagher said. "It's hard to hear, it's hard to know you might go to bed Tuesday night not knowing what the outcome is."
Mental health professionals are also noticing an uptick in anxiety among their patients. Licensed counselor Alexandra Cromer noted that the emotional weight of the election has led to feelings of fear, depression, and hopelessness for many individuals.
"A lot of fear, a lot of depression, feeling hopeless. A lot of anxious rumination, a lot of feeling like 'Well, I have to hope for the best, prepare for the worst,'" Cromer said about what her patients are experiencing.
To help mitigate this anxiety, Cromer recommends individuals take proactive steps like limiting time on social media or only watching the news once a day. She also advises keeping busy to distract from the anxiety surrounding the election.
As the clock ticks down to Election Day, experts encourage voters to remain mindful of their mental health and to remember that the full picture of the election results may take time to emerge.
