Election Anxiety? Try These Stress-Coping Secrets From Navy SEALs and Olympic Swimmers Who Perform Under Extreme Pressure.

In our world of wicked, “we-don’t-know-how” challenges, one skill is essential—learning to cope with stress. If you’re like many people I’ve talked to recently, few things are causing as much stress as this election. To help, I contacted one of my most trusted friends and mentors in handling and performing under extreme stress—Dr. John Havlik, affectionately known as “Coach.” So, let’s stop doom-scrolling, turn off the election coverage, and explore a few ways to ease election anxiety and build resilience.?

It’s hard to find many people with accomplishments as impressive as Coach’s. He is a retired Navy SEAL officer with over 31 years of honorable service, a West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame inductee for his achievements as a collegiate swimmer, and co-author of The Leadership Killer: Reclaiming Humility in an Age of Arrogance, a book focusing on humility as the foundation of great leadership. In his recent dissertation, Coach recently compared how elite U.S. special operations service members—think Navy SEALs—cope with deployment stress and how elite U.S. national Olympic team swimmers manage competition stress.

Through his research, Coach identified strategies these two elite groups use to perform under extreme pressure, whether in the pool at the Olympics or on the battlefield. His findings offer practical ways to channel anxious energy into productive action today and in the weeks ahead.

Three Tips (from Navy SEALs and Olympic Swimmers) to Better Cope With Stress

1. Have total and absolute faith in the process. Both elite groups had unwavering trust in their training processes, which significantly reduced their stress as they prepared to perform. For this election, trust in the process and believe that there are dedicated people working tirelessly to protect the integrity of our democracy. At the same time, lean into the stability of your routines and the support of those around you—whether it’s family, friends, or your broader community—to help keep you grounded during uncertain times.
2. Focus only on what you can control. Both elite groups reduced their stress by focusing only on what they could control, rather than worrying about events beyond their influence. Remember, you—alone—do not bear the burden of defending our entire democracy. Instead, focus on actions within your reach: voting, supporting others to vote, taking care of yourself or those around you who may feel especially impacted, and being mindful to share only quality, accurate information about the election—steering clear of misinformation or rage.
3. Utilize healthy and adaptive distractions. Both elite groups used healthy distractions to prevent the stress of upcoming events from overwhelming them, allowing them to perform at their fullest potential. If election stress feels like too much, consider turning off the TV and stepping away from social media. Take time for a positive, grounding activity that shifts your focus—whether it’s a solo walk, a favorite hobby, or connecting with others—to give yourself a mental break from the intensity of the moment.

A Final Thought

Taking control, however small, can help keep us grounded in uncertain times. Reflecting on Coach’s insights is one way to stay anchored and perform well under pressure, even as the world around us feels chaotic and uncertain.

Share Your Coping Tips Below

Do you have tips for staying calm and focused during high-pressure moments? Please share in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.

Looking Ahead

If you’re unfamiliar with Coach’s work, now’s a great time to start. Coach is a sought-after keynote speaker and a trusted global voice on leadership under pressure. His book, The Leadership Killer: Reclaiming Humility in an Age of Arrogance, dives deeper into this subject, and I highly recommend it.

Let’s Connect

Are you facing a wicked, “we-don’t-know-how-to-do-this” challenge? Don’t go it alone. I’m here with strategies and innovative processes I’ll highlight in upcoming articles. Let’s explore the unknown together—message me for more information.