Key Takeaways:

  • 70% of Americans feel at least some stress or anxiety about the upcoming midterms, including 43% who report a moderate or significant amount.
  • 55% of Gen Z feel moderate or significant stress, the highest of any generation.
  • 32% of respondents have a plan to protect their mental health on election night.
  • 47% of full-time employees would take a mental health day after Election Day if they could.
  • 26% of respondents have used an AI chatbot to talk through election or political stress, rising to 41% of Gen Z respondents.

New consumer research from LifeStance Health finds that 70% of Americans are feeling at least some stress or anxiety about the upcoming U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3, yet many aren’t prepared to manage it. Fewer than 1 in 3 (32%) have a plan to protect their mental health on election night, and another 27% say they don’t have one but think they should.

Younger Americans feel election stress most, but they're also planning ahead

More than half of Gen Z (55%) and 48% of millennials report moderate or significant stress about the midterms. Gen Z is also the most proactive: 42% have a plan to protect their mental health on election night, and 38% say election stress has made them more likely to seek professional mental health support.

Election anxiety goes beyond Election Day

When asked about the current political climate, 42% said they feel anxious or stressed about the future and 1 in 4 (25%) reported feeling hopelessness or a sense of “doom.” These concerns are also coming up in therapy. Among people discussing politics with a clinician, 37% talk about anxiety about the future and 18% talk about feelings of helplessness or lack of control.

Many would rather do the dishes than discuss politics this holiday season

As the holidays approach, 37% of Americans are dreading political conversations at family gatherings, and many would gladly take on another task to avoid them: 31% would rather wash all the dishes and 27% would rather sit through the same family story for the 100th time.

Election anxiety is weighing on the workforce

More than half (51%) of full-time employees report moderate or significant anxiety or stress about the midterms, and nearly half (47%) say they would probably or definitely take a mental health day after Election Day if they could.

Some are turning to AI to talk through election anxiety

About 1 in 4 (26%) respondents have used an AI chatbot to talk through stress or anxiety about politics or the election, and another 15% would consider it. AI use rises among younger adults: 41% of Gen Z have turned to AI for election-related support, compared with 6% of baby boomers.

Political stress may not end when the polls close. With post-election uncertainty and political conversations at holiday gatherings ahead, many Americans may feel it for weeks to come. And while some are turning to AI chatbots for support, they’re no substitute for care provided by a licensed mental health clinician who can provide nuanced, compassionate and evidence-based care.

LifeStance clinicians provide trusted, personalized care in-person and online, helping people build coping strategies that last well beyond Election Day. If you or someone you know is experiencing election anxiety or would like to address other mental health concerns related to political elections, find a LifeStance therapist near you to book an appointment. Also, read a therapist’s take on practical ways to manage election stress.

Methodology: The data is based on a survey conducted online by Dynata on behalf of LifeStance Health in October 2026. The survey analyzed responses from 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

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Authored By 

LifeStance Health

LifeStance is a mental healthcare company focused on providing evidence-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults.