Navigating the Aftermath

No matter how the recent U.S. election turned out, many of us are feeling the effects. Whether we’re celebrating, anxious, or even frustrated by the results, the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the outcome of an election can trigger significant stress. And when stress levels rise, your gut can take the brunt of it.

The connection between your gut and brain is deep—and when stress is high, especially after an election that may have caused tension, division, or emotional upheaval, your gut responds. It’s easy to underestimate how much political events, especially the aftermath of an election, can impact your digestive system, mood, and overall sense of well-being.

In this post, we’ll dive into how the aftermath of the election—whatever the outcome—can cause stress that impacts our gut health, and we’ll explore ways you can support yourself during these uncertain times.

The Gut-Brain Connection: Stress and Its Impact After the Election

Your gut is often referred to as your “second brain”—and for good reason. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system, meaning that when you experience emotional distress, like anxiety, anger, or excitement that often follows a contentious election outcome, your gut is one of the first places to react.

When we’re under stress, our body releases cortisol (the stress hormone), which can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut. This can lead to digestive issues, immune dysfunction, and even mood swings. So, if the election results have left you feeling off balance, it’s not just emotional—it’s physical too.

How Election-Related Stress Affects Your Gut

1. Digestive Upsets Perhaps you’ve noticed bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or even nausea since the election outcome. These are all common stress-related symptoms. Stress can interfere with how your digestive system functions, either speeding up or slowing down the digestive process. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, your gut may respond by acting up. The emotional turmoil from the election could easily translate into gut issues.
2. Mental and Emotional Strain Stress from political events is not only physical—it deeply affects mental health as well. When we’re stressed, particularly from uncertainty, disagreement, or disappointment in the outcome of the election, our body struggles to produce and regulate serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. Since much of our serotonin is produced in the gut, a stressed gut can contribute to feelings of anxiety, irritability, and depression. The emotional effects of the election can feel even heavier if your gut health is already compromised.
3. Weakened Immune Function With the gut being home to much of your immune system, election-related stress can compromise your body’s ability to defend itself from illness. The physical effects of stress can weaken the immune response, making it harder for your body to fight off infections or recover from the strain of stress itself. This is especially concerning when many of us are already coping with the stress of a global pandemic.

Why Gut Health is Critical Right Now

In times of political uncertainty and emotional strain, taking care of your gut is more important than ever. When our gut is out of balance, it can make us feel worse physically and emotionally, which compounds the challenges of navigating a post-election world. By restoring balance to your gut, you can strengthen your emotional resilience, improve digestion, boost immunity, and feel more centered amidst the chaos.

Tips for Supporting Your Gut and Managing Election Stress

So, what can you do right now to help manage the stress from the election and restore balance to your gut? Here are a few actionable tips to support your gut health and your mental well-being:

1. Mindful Eating: Slow Down and Tune In It’s easy to eat on the go or use food to soothe stress after a major election. But when you’re feeling emotionally charged, try practicing mindful eating. Sit down for meals, chew your food slowly, and pay attention to how it makes you feel. This can help with digestion and allow you to stay more present, even if your mind is racing with thoughts about the election outcome.
2. Include Gut-Healing Foods Probiotics (found in foods like yogurt, apple cider vinegar, pickled beets, buttermilk, and kefir) are great for replenishing the healthy bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics (found in garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, apples, cocoa and bananas) help feed these good bacteria, so they can thrive. Adding more of these gut-friendly foods to your diet can help counteract the effects of stress and support a healthier microbiome.
3. Reduce Stress with Breathing and Meditation It’s easy to feel anxious or restless after a tense election. Incorporating stress-reducing practices like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help bring your nervous system back into balance. Just five minutes of focused breathing can help lower cortisol levels and improve both gut and emotional health. How do you calm yourself after stressful news? Share your favorite stress-relief techniques in the comments below!
4. Exercise to Release Tension Physical movement is one of the best ways to manage stress. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a quick workout, or a calming yoga session, moving your body helps release built-up tension, regulate digestion, and improve mood. Exercise is a natural antidote to the emotional rollercoaster that often follows an election. What’s your favorite way to get moving when you’re feeling stressed?
5. Prioritize Restful Sleep Stress and political unrest can often interfere with sleep. But quality sleep is essential for both emotional and gut health. Make it a priority to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night and create a calming bedtime routine to help you wind down. This will help regulate your mood and restore balance to your gut. How do you make sure you get restful sleep during stressful times?
6. Stay Hydrated and Calm Your Digestive System Staying hydrated supports digestion, helps prevent bloating, and assists in detoxification. If you’re feeling stressed after the election, try sipping on calming herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint. These can soothe your gut and help calm your mind. What’s your go-to drink when you’re looking for comfort during stressful moments?
7. Seek Support from Others If the outcome of the election has left you feeling down or disconnected, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist. Sometimes, simply talking about your feelings can help you process and cope with stress. Whether you’re feeling elated or deflated, connecting with others can provide support, comfort, and perspective.

Join the Conversation: How Are You Coping After the Election?

The emotional aftermath of the election can affect us all in different ways. Some of us may feel relief, while others may feel frustrated, anxious, or even angry. Whatever you’re feeling right now, you’re not alone. The stress of the election outcome, and the tension in the air, is real—and it’s affecting our gut health too.

I’d love to hear from you: How have you been managing your stress in the wake of the election results? What practices or strategies have helped you take care of your gut and your emotional health during these uncertain times? Drop a comment below and let’s support each other in this journey.

Together, we can navigate the aftermath of this election with compassion for ourselves and each other.