The election season can be a time full of stress. Tensions can run high and it can bring out the worst in people regardless of political affiliation. We have three cocktails for you, and some healthy living guides, to make sure that you’re feeling your best and keeping your stress levels low.

Here’s TABLE‘s nonpartisan guide to keeping calm, from the morning you head to the polls to the moment you finally turn off the TV.

When Are the 2026 Midterm Elections?

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters across the country will choose all 435 members of the U.S. House and 35 senators, along with governors, state legislators, judges, and local leaders. Close races can mean long nights of refreshing results, with the suspense taking a toll on sleep, digestion, and mood.

The good news is that a little planning and a few soothing rituals go a long way. 

How Can I Make Election Day Less Stressful?

Start by taking the guesswork out of voting. Confirm your registration, polling place, and hours, and check your state’s rules on mail ballots and ID at vote.gov, which links to every state’s official election office. Decide when you’ll vote and how you’ll get there, and pack water and a snack in case of a line.

Then set boundaries for the evening. Pick one or two trusted news sources, check results at set times instead of refreshing all night, and mute notifications if you need to. Results in close races can take days to call, so remind yourself that you don’t need to know everything by bedtime. A walk outside, a hot bath, a favorite movie, or dinner with people who make you laugh can help, no matter who you’re rooting for.

How Do You Naturally Settle an Upset Stomach?

Stress and the gut are closely connected, so it’s no surprise that anxiety can show up with nausea or cramping. A few simple remedies can bring relief if you’re looking to naturally settle an upset stomach on Election Day:

Ginger: Ginger has been studied for nausea relief. Sip ginger tea with honey and lemon, or try ginger chews or capsules.

Bland foods: Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, saltines, and oatmeal are easy on the stomach. Skip spicy, greasy, very sugary, and citrus-heavy foods for the day.

Hydration: Drink plenty of water and/or an electrolyte drink.

Heat: A heating pad, a warm bath, or a hot cup of tea can relax tense muscles. Use a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

Fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha can support digestion over time.

Peppermint: Peppermint tea can be soothing, but use peppermint oil sparingly.

These remedies are for occasional, mild symptoms. If stomach trouble is severe or doesn’t go away, check in with a doctor.

What Helps You Sleep on Election Night?

Falling asleep after a big night can be tough. Instead of doomscrolling in bed, set a cutoff time for screens and brew a cup of caffeine-free herbal tea. These natural sleep aids for election day anxiety are made of calming herbs, often called nervines, and can help you wind down after a stressful night. Look for chamomile, which is best sipped about 30 minutes before bed, along with lemon balm, valerian, hops, passionflower, and skullcap.

Teas worth trying include The Tea Spot’s Lights Out, Boulder Dushanbe Tea House’s Sleep Deep, and Triple Moon Alchemy’s Good Night Tea Blend. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, ask your doctor before trying herbal supplements or tinctures. 

Which Cocktails Should I Serve on Election Night?

A drink can be a fun part of an election watch party, as long as you sip in moderation, since alcohol can disrupt sleep and upset a nervous stomach. 

The Margin of Error: A forgiving two-ingredient highball of whiskey and elderflower liqueur topped with seltzer.

The Ballot Box: A clear, silky, milk-clarified whiskey sour you can batch days ahead.

The He Said/She Said: One recipe, two colors: red with Campari and blue with blue curaçao. Created for the 2024 Presidential election, this recipe works no matter which way you vote.

Not drinking? Each recipe includes a zero-proof swap, and a glass of sparkling water with a splash of elderflower syrup and lemon is just as festive.

What Can I Serve at an Election Watch Party?

Keep the food easy to graze on so no one is stuck in the kitchen during the big moments. 

Set out our Bourbon Spiced Nuts, an Easy Fruit Dip, and Deviled Eggs with Caviar, or make a slow cooker of Meatballs in Cranberry Gochujang Sauce. 

For something cozy after the polls close, find a favorite in our Mac and Cheese Recipes for a Cozy Kitchen or Stew Recipes to Warm Your Heart This Fall and Winter.

About the Author

Emma Riva is an art writer, author, and curator originally from New York who lives on Pittsburgh’s South Side. She founded Petrichor, a Pittsburgh art magazine, has served as managing editor of UP Magazine, and writes about food, drink, and wellness for TABLE. Read more of her work at TABLE.

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.