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I don’t know about you, but I've noticed that paying attention to all of the election stuff is stressing me out.
It started by doing research on all of the candidates.
It seems that I've allowed myself to get distracted by the non-stop news, social media, and heated conversations.
I know that the political news people are paid a ton of money because they are masters at hooking you in.
As a result, I feel like I have election anxiety.
I am basically doing this to myself because I'm allowing myself to get distracted.
These distractions are killing my productivity.
How about you?
Tuning in too much to the election news may not only be eating up your time—but it can also severely affect your mental health and overall well-being.
It leads to increased anxiety, disrupted sleep, and even burnout.
The last thing you need at this point is another distraction pulling your focus away from your team or recruiting, especially if it is causing you to be less present and more irritable.
Your team, staff, and family need you to be at your best.
If the election is causing you to be anxious and stressed as well, I want to share with you 10 simple things I’ve started to do to help:
1. Set News Limits with Apps
Use productivity or time-limiting apps like Opal or Freedom to block access to news websites and social media during work hours. These apps can create “no-news zones,” making it harder for you to check in and get out of the habit.
2. Turn Off Notifications
Disable notifications for news apps, Twitter, and any social media platforms that might pull your attention away. This reduces the temptation to click on alerts and start doom-scrolling.
3. Unfollow Political Accounts
Take a break from following political news or commentary accounts on social media. Unfollowing or muting these sources helps curate your feed so it’s filled with content that aligns with your goals as a coach, rather than stress-inducing political drama.
4. Schedule “News Time”
Allocate specific blocks of time (e.g., 10-15 minutes) in your day to check the news, then stick to that schedule. Outside of those windows, commit to staying away from any election updates.
5. Replace the Habit
Swap out your election news scrolling habit with something more productive or relaxing. For example, listen to a podcast about coaching strategies, read a book, or meditate during moments when you’d usually check social media.
6. Create Physical Barriers
Leave your phone in another room during times when you tend to check the news. By physically removing your phone from your presence, you’ll be less tempted to check the news during downtime.
7. Use a Website Blocker
Install a browser extension like StayFocusd or LeechBlock that limits or blocks access to specific websites for designated periods of time. This helps you avoid wandering into news sites without even realizing it.
8. The Streak Strategy: A Super Simple Way to Get Your Time Back
One powerful approach is to create a "streak" of days without election news. Get out a calendar. Give yourself a big red X on the days where you successfully don’t check into all of the negative political news. Start with one day, then build it up. Over time, your streak will grow, and the temptation to “check in” will feel less worth it.
9. Set Accountability for Success
Find someone you respect—a fellow coach or mentor—and make them your accountability partner. Share your goal to limit election news consumption and ask them to check in with you. Much like you don’t want to let your players down, this level of accountability will motivate you to stay committed to the streak.
10. Shift Your Focus Back to What Matters
Ultimately, elections will come and go, but your daily responsibilities—preparing your team, mentoring players, and recruiting—are what truly matter to the success of your career. By focusing on what you can control and stepping away from the news cycle, you’ll be a better coach and leader.
Start your streak today and reclaim your productivity—your team and family need you to be happy, healthy, and they want your full attention! Let me know which ones you try and how they work for you. Email me [email protected] if you want to talk through these strategies.
To your success,
Mandy Green
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