Feeling the election fatigue already?
We feel you – even though the federal election is still weeks away you definitely aren’t alone if you’re over it already. Particularly given we’ve only just had a state election, we’ve had an intense few months of politics and it can be really difficult to switch off or look away with so much going on.
1. Identify the issues most important to you this election.
If there’s one thing we can always expect from election campaigns it’s noise, and a lot of it. One way to cut through it is to focus on the issues important to you and where parties and candidates stand on them – then you can start from their policies, usually available on their websites, rather than relying on campaign trail press conferences to tell you what you want to know.
The ABC’s Vote Compass is a great way to find out how you align with parties as a whole too.
2. Take a break from doom-scrolling.
Election season is prime time for scrolling social media and looking up to realise it’s dark outside. Avoiding doom-scrolling isn’t easy, but making sure you’re taking breaks from socials and media outlets is a great start.
We love this Doomscrolling Reminder Bot that tells you to drink water, stretch and eat something.
3. Try to switch up how you get your political info.
Reading articles burning you out? There’s nothing wrong with switching to Tik Tok or following news on Twitter for much shorter form content. A change in source might also diversifies the viewpoints and perspectives you’re looking at, which is an added bonus.
4. Maintain a routine.
While tempting, those highlights from Q&A will still be there tomorrow. Make sure you prioritise staying fed, hydrated and well rested. It’s also a hell of a lot easier to cope with campaigning and election coverage when you’ve gotten enough sleep!
5. Don’t go it alone.
Elections make for high-stress periods, and regardless of if you know exactly who you’re voting for or are undecided the campaigning can be brutal. This is extra important for those of us who are part of marginalised groups, watching discourse and debate about your rights and identity can be pretty horrifying. Connect with your loved ones, chances are you’re thinking about the same or similar issues.
6. Don’t let the polls freak you out.
We have a post on what polls are and when they’re important which you can read here. We’re in for weeks of commentary on polls, but make sure you read beyond the headline and look for the numbers.
7. Opt for entertainment on platforms that don’t host political ads.
Unlike YouTube and traditional TV, most streaming services don’t run the risk of a Clive Palmer jump scare. Regardless of who you vote for, we can all use a break from ads that end with ‘authorised by’. Binge watching is also a great distraction from politics.
8. Go for a walk
It had to be on here somewhere, but a silly little walk for your silly little mental health can’t be underestimated. Fresh air, exercise and a change of scenery are a winning combination for election stress. Bonus points if you’ve got a pet to join you.
9. Work out when you’re going to vote.
Election day is 21 May, but early voting will start on 9 May. Check your calendar and your roster ahead of time, if you’re unable to get to a polling booth on election day you’ll need to vote early. Sort this earlier rather than later to avoid scrambling to work out when you can sneak out of work to vote on the 21st.
Remember that voting in this election is compulsory and not doing so will result in a fine.
Find a polling booth here.
10. Think about what you’re going to do on election night.
For some of us, not watching election night coverage isn’t an option, but whether that’s you or not it’s a good idea to think about what your election night will look like. Turning off news notifications and avoiding socials might be more your vibe, or maybe you have a designated pal who’s going to keep the group chat updated, you’ll know what’s best for you! Remember, there’s no guarantee that we’ll have an outcome when the night is over, so even if you’re tuning in, we might not know.
