As the country heads to the polls today, the uncertainty around the General Election will generate feelings of anxiety for many people, says our member Lesley Ludlow.
Millions of people are casting their votes in the third election in less than five years, following those in 2015 and 2017.
Polling stations in 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland opened at 7am and will close at 10pm.
Counting will begin straight away, with most of the results due to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning.
Uncertainty
Lesley, Chair of our Private Practice Division, said for many people uncertainty, lack of control and the prospect of change will play on their emotions, regardless of how they vote.
She said: 鈥淭his election is different because people are divided 鈥� it鈥檚 a unique situation that the leaders of the two main political parties create a lot of reaction either way 鈥� and that can be unsettling.
鈥淭he uncertainty of what鈥檚 going to happen will bring up anxiety, particularly for people who need to know where they are heading and what they are going into.鈥�
Lesley said there are steps you can take to reduce the stress and anxiety around a General Election.
Anxious
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that you vote but after that the result is out of your control,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l be wasting a lot of energy trying to control something that is unobtainable.
鈥淚f you know that you are anxious, particularly around change and uncertainty then distance yourself from the situation and do something different to distract yourself.
鈥淚t鈥檚 recognising there is not much you can do, whichever way the vote has gone, but you can focus on keeping yourself balanced.
鈥淏e aware of your emotions and recognise what鈥檚 coming up, but don鈥檛 allow them to control how you respond.聽
鈥淚t's聽about self-care and doing something that will help you feel relaxed and less stressed.聽 It鈥檚 about looking after yourself.鈥�
If you want to find a counsellor or psychotherapist who can help you with anxiety, visit our聽Therapist directory.