Nearly 70% of Americans report stress over 2026 midterms

More than two-thirds of U.S. adults say the upcoming 2026 midterm elections are causing them stress or anxiety. A LifeStance Health online survey conducted in October found that 70% of Americans reported feeling this way as the election date approached. This figure is consistent with previous data, as the American Psychological Association reported that 69% of U.S. adults identified the 2024 presidential election as a major source of stress.

Health researchers have documented a link between election timing and cardiac health. A 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open found higher rates of acute cardiovascular disease hospitalizations in the five days following the 2020 presidential election compared to the two weeks prior. That election took four days to call, a delay that likely contributed to the prolonged period of uncertainty. Similar patterns emerged after the 2016 election, with studies in 2020 and 2021 showing spikes in acute cardiovascular conditions and cardiac arrhythmias in the days following the vote.

While these studies show associations rather than direct causation, experts note that the physical effects of stress are real. Dr. Megan Kamath, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at UCLA, advised voters to plan their news intake in advance. She said, "Decide in advance how much news you want to consume and make a plan to prioritize regular meals, movement, sleep and activities you enjoy." Kamath noted that voting and identifying civic actions can help people maintain a sense of agency.

Lindsey Rosman, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University, emphasized the importance of expecting delays in counting votes. "Close races often take days to count," Rosman said. "That’s normal, and knowing it ahead of time makes the uncertainty easier to sit with." He recommended turning off nonessential news notifications and checking for updates only at planned intervals to prevent the stress response from remaining active throughout the day.

Psychologists suggest that physical activity and social connection can mitigate anxiety. Ashley Huggins, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, stated that exercise, spending time with loved ones, or cooking can help manage stress. Chris Chanyasulkit, a public health expert, offered a practical comparison: "A walk beats a third hour of scrolling." Huggins added that guided breathing or progressive muscle relaxation exercises can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, signaling to the body that it is in a state of relaxation.

Experts also warned against relying on alcohol, nicotine, or extra caffeine to cope with election nerves. They suggested maintaining normal sleep routines, as results will be available the next morning regardless of when a person checks. Rosman advised patients to put screens away an hour before bed to avoid keeping the stress response switched on overnight.

Misinformation poses another risk during high-stress election periods. Experts noted that individuals in a heightened state of anxiety may be more likely to believe incorrect claims, particularly those alleging voting problems. Huggins suggested that if a claim triggers a strong emotional reaction, whether it is anger or relief, it is a red flag that the information may not be accurate.

The 2026 midterms will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Health professionals across the country are encouraging voters to set boundaries around information consumption to protect their physical well-being during the counting process.