Denver Catholic

22 I n just a few short weeks, Americans will have the chance to vote for our nation's next president. But does this feel like a dignified moment, brimming with the hope of a brighter future? Or does it resemble more of a dramatic "reality" TV show, where we're all stranded on an island, bat- tling for survival and dealing with relentless challenges? If you're feeling a sense of dread as the election approaches, you're not alone. The barrage of attack ads, fiery soundbites and relentless punditry can take a toll on our well-being. Stud- ies show that presidential elections can negatively affect both our physical and mental health. According to a 2020 survey by the American Psycho- logical Association, 68% of Americans cited the presidential election as a significant source of stress—an increase from the 2016 election. In fact, anxiety levels around the 2020 election were even higher than during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic! This surge in anxiety is under- standable, as media outlets often use fear to grab our attention, stirring up anger and stress, which can have harmful effects on our health. We are beginning to recognize that much of what passes as "news" is designed to keep us hooked—and upset—to boost ratings and revenue. So, how do we step back from this overwhelming situation? First, it's important to gain per- spective. Our country has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including a civil war that nearly tore the nation apart. Yet, we emerged stronger on the other side. As General James Mattis remarked in a 2017 interview: "Especially if you study history, you realize that our country has been through worse, and here's how they've found their way through that. Here's what leaders did, here's what educa- tors did, here's what business people OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC As Catholic Christians, our hope and faith rest in the triune God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit— not in human leaders or governments."

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