Presidential election stressing you out? Here's what you can do when you feel overwhelmed.

You've watched the debates. You've followed TV news. You've scanned social media.

This election might feel so stressful, completely overwhelming, as if our country is teetering on the edge of an abyss.

You are not alone in those feelings.

Nikki Stark, a licensed clinical social worker at Thriveworks in Austin, says her clients are expressing a lot of those feelings. "It's very nerve-wracking to a lot of them," she said. "There's a lot of catastrophizing, a lot of black-and-white thinking."

She has been working with clients about reversing that thinking, to find nuances and to reality-check those catastrophic thoughts.

"Anxiety produces more anxiety," she said, making it important not to continue the spiraling thoughts.

Limit how much focus is on the election

Some of the anxiety is fed by the amount of content people are consuming through social media or TV news. You might need to set limits on what is in your newsfeed, said Wendi Kozlowski, clinical director at Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center in Round Rock.

For others, it's the drama of having family members and friends who have different opinions or are too amped up about the election.

You can have meaningful conversations if you can listen to people with different opinions and really hear them, Stark said.

"Don't try to win the argument," she said.

Sometimes, though, there's a feeling of not being heard or of being disrespected by family members. In that case, boundaries are necessary.

"Ask for a politics break," Kozlowski said. Instead, focus on family activities and enjoying each other's company. "Reframe your goals of spending time together."

Take a social media break

This doesn't mean not paying attention. Find sources that are reputable and be intentional about what you consume, Kozlowski said. This is a great way to model media consumption for children.

But "if you find yourself doomscrolling, not being able to turn it off or disconnect," you need to set some boundaries and change the channel or avoid TV and social media.

"This is about protecting your mental well-being," Kozlowski said.

Become active

For some people, doing something with the election can actually help. That could include registering people to vote, helping at the polls, giving people rides to vote and making your own plan to vote.

Reduce the stress

"We are looking for a balanced wellness," Kozlowski said.

When you are feeling that anxiety creep in:

Coping after Election Day

This is where radical acceptance really comes in.

"Accept it for what it is," Stark said. "You can only deal with the cards you have been dealt. ... You can only control what you can control."

If you are continually experiencing these symptoms of depression and anxiety, it's time to get help:

You can start with your primary care provider for a referral or check out which therapists are in your health insurance network. In Travis County, Integral Care's health crisis support line is 512-472-4357, or you can call 988 anywhere to get help.