By Amy Meuers, NYLC CEO

Elections often stir strong emotions, intense debate, and heightened stress, making young people who may be new to engaging in civic matters especially susceptible to these pressures. As we approach the end of the 2024 election, it’s vital to create spaces where young people can process their reactions and find constructive ways to manage stress. Drawing on insights from Amen Clinics on post-election stress trauma (PEST), and brain-type research, we can better understand and support our youth’s (and our own) unique responses to the pressures of an election season.

According to Amen Clinics, there are five distinct brain types — balanced, spontaneous, persistent, sensitive, and cautious — which influence how we react to high-stress events, like elections. Recognizing these brain types in ourselves and others can foster greater understanding and empathy.

In group settings like classrooms, youth councils, or afterschool programs, it’s essential to acknowledge that everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Encouraging young people to reflect on their own responses can be a valuable tool for managing stress. For example, individuals with a cautious brain type might feel heightened anxiety and uncertainty, whereas those with a balanced brain type may remain more composed and can serve as calming influences to those around them. This understanding allows us to engage young people in identifying their brain type and responding in a way that feels authentic to them.

By facilitating open conversations about our differences, we can encourage young people to share how they are feeling in a safe, nonpartisan way. Inviting them to ask, “How do I typically respond to stressful situations?” and “How do others around me respond?” promotes awareness, setting the foundation for mutual respect and support. Once we understand that people respond differently to stressful situations, we can focus on building empathy. Asking guiding questions like, “How can we create a respectful environment during stressful times?”or “What do you need to feel supported?” can help youth build a collective understanding and discover how to support each other in constructive ways. Creating ground rules or norms for conversations and encouraging respectful listening are great ways to foster a supportive, nonpartisan atmosphere where everyone feels valued.

Educators can also encourage mindfulness and self-care practices which can be transformative for young people. Teaching them simple techniques — such as taking breaks from social media, setting boundaries with news consumption, or engaging in mindfulness exercises — can help mitigate election stress and promote emotional well-being. Consider facilitating a discussion around self-care strategies by asking, “What are your go-to methods for managing stress?” This type of question allows young people to share ideas and learn from one another. Promoting self-care practices in group settings can also create a shared commitment to mental wellness, building resilience not just for the election cycle but for other high-stress situations.

By fostering empathy, teaching about individual responses, and equipping young people with self-care tools, we’re setting the foundation for healthy and resilient reactions to high-stress events like elections. Whether balanced, cautious, or sensitive, each young person’s unique response adds value to the discussion and can promote a rich, respectful environment for exploring civic engagement and personal growth. Let’s work together to make this election one of learning, compassion, and resilience.

Additional ideas to support youth in processing election stress and building resilience:

• Teach Media Literacy Skills: Help students critically evaluate election information by analyzing news sources for bias and credibility, fact-checking claims and statistics, or discussing the impact of social media echo chambers.
• Incorporate Civic Education into Instruction: Deepen students’ understanding of the democratic process through mock elections or debates, guest speakers from local government or projects researching candidates and ballot measures.
• Promote Stress Management Techniques: Equip students with coping strategies like mindfulness and breathing exercises, journaling prompts for emotional processing or physical activities to release tension.
• Empower Students to Take Positive Action: Provide service-learning opportunities for students to make meaningful change in their communities on issues they care about.
• Provide Individual Support: Be available for one-on-one conversations with students who may be struggling, and connect them with counseling resources if needed.