Are you feeling stressed or anxious about the pending election results? You are not alone.This election season -- and 2020 in general -- has brought on an unusual amount of stress and anxiety to everyone. No one is immune from the waiting game of the presidential race."We tend to fear or get anxious about things that: No. 1, we can't control, and No. 2, that don't have an end in sight," UC Davis clinical professor Dr. Angela Drake said. "And that's kind of what we are dealing with in a nutshell." Drake suggests a variety of different tactics for people to cope with the looming election results.1) Take time for youFirst, she suggests limiting the amount of election TV time you are allowing yourself. "When we're anxious, we are releasing all kinds of stress hormones that aren't good for us," Drake said. "I literally have folks who stay up and watch CNN all night long, especially on the night of an election. That is flooding our bodies with stress hormones." Drake said one way to take care of your physical and and mental is by doing something to distract you. She suggests people "go out in the garden, go rake leaves" to keep your mind occupied for a bit."The goal is to really not even think about the election, not even think about the pandemic," Drake said. "It might only be 10 minutes, but it gives you a break and allows your body to down regulate a bit and reduce the level of stress hormones."2) Mentally prepare for challengesDrake also suggests people anticipate that the election is going to be a challenge -- whether it be some problems with the counts and/or some lawsuits."The idea is that it kind of helps you mentally prepare for that," Drake said. "If it doesn't, and somebody concedes, we go on smoothly -- it's a relief."3) Too much or too little informationDrake also recommends people understand how they deal with information. She suggests people who thrive off information to do their research on potential challenges that might arise with the election. For people who get more anxious with more information, she urges them to unplug."There is really little we can do to control what's going to happen," Drake said.No matter how you deal with information, Drake suggests people find ways to cope with the stress and anxiety they are feeling. It could be through therapy, self-help books, mediation and social support groups."The best thing you can do is be kind to yourself, be kind to other people and really, really make sure that you take care of yourself," Drake said.

Are you feeling stressed or anxious about the pending election results? You are not alone.

This election season -- and 2020 in general -- has brought on an unusual amount of stress and anxiety to everyone. No one is immune from the waiting game of the presidential race.

"We tend to fear or get anxious about things that: No. 1, we can't control, and No. 2, that don't have an end in sight," UC Davis clinical professor Dr. Angela Drake said. "And that's kind of what we are dealing with in a nutshell."

Drake suggests a variety of different tactics for people to cope with the looming election results.

First, she suggests limiting the amount of election TV time you are allowing yourself.

"When we're anxious, we are releasing all kinds of stress hormones that aren't good for us," Drake said. "I literally have folks who stay up and watch CNN all night long, especially on the night of an election. That is flooding our bodies with stress hormones."

Drake said one way to take care of your physical and and mental is by doing something to distract you. She suggests people "go out in the garden, go rake leaves" to keep your mind occupied for a bit.

"The goal is to really not even think about the election, not even think about the pandemic," Drake said. "It might only be 10 minutes, but it gives you a break and allows your body to down regulate a bit and reduce the level of stress hormones."

Drake also suggests people anticipate that the election is going to be a challenge -- whether it be some problems with the counts and/or some lawsuits.

"The idea is that it kind of helps you mentally prepare for that," Drake said. "If it doesn't, and somebody concedes, we go on smoothly -- it's a relief."

Drake also recommends people understand how they deal with information. She suggests people who thrive off information to do their research on potential challenges that might arise with the election. For people who get more anxious with more information, she urges them to unplug.

"There is really little we can do to control what's going to happen," Drake said.

No matter how you deal with information, Drake suggests people find ways to cope with the stress and anxiety they are feeling. It could be through therapy, self-help books, mediation and social support groups.

"The best thing you can do is be kind to yourself, be kind to other people and really, really make sure that you take care of yourself," Drake said.

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Feeling stressed? 3 ways to cope with election results - KCRA Sacramento