Follow us for updates
© 2022 reportr.world
Read the Story →

'It Broke My Heart': How to Cope With Post-Election Stress, Grief

Your feelings are valid.
by Arianne Merez
5 hours ago
In this photo taken on May 9, 2022, supporters of presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo take part in a prayer vigil in the city of Naga, Camarines Sur province, south of Manila, after the final voting results of the presidential election
Photo/s: AFP
Shares

Communications specialist Myra still finds herself randomly tearing up and getting angry whenever she thinks about the results of the 2022 vote even if nearly two weeks have passed. It's frustration, she said, following weeks of attending the Leni-Kiko rallies and painting her social media accounts pink.

The sole kakampink in a family of Marcos supporters, the 25-year-old said the outcome of the election hit her so hard that she had to fake a sick leave from work.

"I can't talk to my family about it because they're all happy about the result and are even gloating about the outcome," Myra, who refused to reveal her full name, told reportr in a message.

"Siguro sasabihin ng iba na OA lang ako pero this election has affected my enthusiasm in life. It broke my heart and it changed the way I view things and the people around me including my family," she added.

Continue reading below ↓

ALSO READ:

When Election Grief Dims Your Fire at Work, What Do You Do?

Today We Grieve, Tomorrow We Fight Again, Leni-Kiko Youth Say

In an election, like in any competition, someone always wins and loses. For those who supported the losing candidate, post-election stress, and feelings of frustration and sadness are normal and are proof that they cared and exerted effort for the cause, said life coach Hasmin Miroy. 

"It's a normal emotion brought about by frustration especially if their candidate did not win and they did not like the results...It also shows that you care for your country because you advocated for something that, in your view, will be for the better," Miroy told reportr in an interview.

People dealing with the fallout of the election results should not rush their coping and know that their feelings of stress, grief, or frustration are all valid according to Miroy.

Continue reading below ↓
Recommended Videos

"Wala naman timeline ang coping. We have different paces and that's okay. Once we start to accept the results and the reality of the situation, doon na mag-start ang pag move forward," she said.

For those who are still stuck in a post-election trance, here are four things you can do to manage post-election stress and move forward:

1. Distance yourself from toxicity.

For months before the May 9 vote, social media was filled with bickering and mudslinging from different political camps and their supporters. The trolling and bickering online is not going to stop anytime soon so it's important to take a breather from it all.

"Yung healing and acceptance tumatagal kasi you keep exposing yourself to negativity. So take a break muna from all the toxicity whether it's comments from another person who feeds you negativity, social media, or the news," Miroy said.

For those who easily get triggered by what they see on social media, Miroy advises a detox to refresh one's senses.

Continue reading below ↓

"If you can, take a social media detox for your mental health especially if your stress triggers are found on social media," she added.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Social Media Detox: When, How, and Why You Should Call a Timeout

2. Focus on yourself.

For months, chances are you've probably been consumed with the campaign period and all the election-related news and activities. Now is the opportunity to take time to focus on yourself.

"Ikaw muna. Focus on yourself and what makes you happy. Try creating projects for yourself. Do something that would make yourself happy no matter how simple it is," Miroy said.

READ: Dear Corporate Slave, Is Your Work All That You Are as a Person?

3. Take a break.

Breaks can come in many forms. For some, a trip or vacation is a way to cope while for those who cannot take time off from work, even small breaks can help ease the stress said Miroy.

Continue reading below ↓

"A break refreshes your mind and your body so you feel reenergized and you can center yourself again," Miroy said.

Breaks are also opportunities to accept the outcome, reflect on your emotions and think of ways on how you want to move forward.

READ: Boss, I'm So Tired. Can I Take a Mental Health Break?

4. Seek support.

Find people who can comfort you and surround yourself with friends who make you feel better. According to mental health service Dear Future Self PH, sharing thoughts with people who have the same views as yours can be comforting.

"Figure out how this loss changed what you think is important as you move forward," Dear Future Self PH said.

There's no instant way of coping with post-election stress and the other emotions that come with the loss. It's important to remember however that while you cannot control everything, you have control over how you respond to different situations.

Continue reading below ↓

"You can only control yourself. You did your part in the election and the rest is beyond you so what you can do now is to focus on things that you can control," Miroy said.

Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.