Election Season Is Bad for Your Health

Each four years, a peculiar fever takes hold of Nigeria, unrelated to malaria. Initially subtle, it escalates when political campaigns ramp up, with every citizen forming opinions on who should lead by 2027. As a health communication professional, the season intrigues me not due to the politics but the impact it has on ordinary Nigerians - their blood pressure, sleep, and mental health.

This article aims to shed light on the health consequences of election seasons in Nigeria, and what we can do about it. Relying on government to safeguard our peace of mind is, if we're honest, futile. During election seasons, Nigeria experiences increased noise, both physical and digital. Campaign jingles play from loudspeakers on buses as early as seven in the morning.

WhatsApp family groups turn into battlegrounds where siblings, uncles, or schoolmates who haven't communicated in years start arguing over party loyalty. News channels run endless debates where everyone shouts, but no one listens. This leads to chronic low-grade stress. Unlike dramatic emergency stress, it creeps in subtly, causing disturbed sleep, tightened jaws, sudden tempers, and unexplainable headaches.

Alongside this stress lies anxiety over genuine uncertainties. Will fuel prices rise again around election time? Will there be violence in certain states? Will businesses shut down for days due to protests or insecurity? These fears are rooted in past experiences, and while I won't deny their existence, I will emphasize personal responsibility.

You can't control INEC's logistics, politicians' words, or your neighbor's opinions. However, you can control your information consumption. There's a difference between staying informed and constantly being outraged. You don't need to watch three hours of political commentary before breakfast to be a responsible citizen. Choose your sources, verify their accuracy, consume only what you need, and then put down your phone.

Constantly doomscrolling through election content at night negatively impacts your sleep, which is linked to weakened immunity, worsened mood, and poor decision-making at a time when clear thinking is crucial. Also, consider your body during this period. Nigeria's elections disrupt normal routines. Fuel scarcity affects transportation, making it difficult to reach the gym or even walk safely at night.

Long queues at polling units mean spending hours in the sun without water. Political gatherings mean crowded spaces where diseases spread easily. Simple measures can make a big difference. Always carry water when heading out for any election-related activity. Eat before joining a queue instead of relying on food during the wait.

If you have hypertension or diabetes, do not let the election's excitement or stress lead you to skip your medication. Your blood pressure doesn't care about who wins the election; it only cares about whether you took your tablets. Mental health is especially important during these times, and I say this as someone who has witnessed too many Nigerians treating psychological wellbeing like a luxury.

Election uncertainties can genuinely trigger anxiety. It's not weak or foreign to acknowledge this. If you find yourself unable to sleep, constantly irritable, or gripped by dread whenever you open your phone, your body is sending you a crucial message. Seek help, reduce your exposure to inflammatory content, and reconnect with things that stabilize you, whether it's your faith, family, football banter, or simply turning off the television and reading a book.

Lastly, consider how we treat each other during this season. Political disagreements have fractured friendships and torn families apart in Nigeria before. The emotional consequences are real and lasting. You are allowed to have strong political views, but you are also allowed to disagree with your sibling or brother-in-law without severing ties for the next four years.

Preserving relationships during a heated season is one of the most protective things you can do for your long-term mental health, as social connection is one of the strongest predictors of how well people cope with stress. While I am not suggesting that personal responsibility replaces the need for competent leadership, the choices you make about your sleep, information diet, medication, hydration, and relationships between now and 2027 will do more for your overall wellbeing than any single election outcome.