In a local Alaskan paper today the heading is Back at work, Palin vents a bit over campaign criticism. In the post-campaign analyses, there is little doubt that Sarah Palin will command attention for some time. This will add to her personal stress.



November 4 Election Day was a big day for Sarah Palin and just before this time I wrote an article about how she would handle stress if she became Vice-President. I reported on the research of Cary Cooper on stress management and politicians. Within six months politicians were reporting elevated levels of stress.

Stress symptoms included loss of confidence, sleeping problems, drinking and eating too much, feeling constantly under strain and showing increasing lack of motivation.

As we all know, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are president elect and VP elect. So Sarah doesn't have to cope with national level stress. However she does have to deal with her gubernatorial pressures returning as governor of Alaska. It must be a difficult task to adapt to the small state issues after such a heady campaign.

Sarah impressed many people with her energy and enthusiasm as a campaigner. Part of her role was to be a critic of the Democrats, a role that might create additional stress for her in trying to win back a non-partisan form of government in Alaska.

She has to confront many unresolved issues in Alaska on her return. Today's newspaper highlights the different legal interpretations of the Troopergate issue. Other issues raised in her campaign absence, for example, ethics issues, private websites, her husband's role in government, and travel expenses for her children will be explored in the media.

Everyone loves to cut down tall poppies and we will see significant post-campaign criticism that will add to Sarah stress levels and credibility. Her response to unnamed staffers' criticisms of her is already occurring. She indicated that the comment on Africa as a continent was taken out of context. He said that she responded to requests to purchase clothes and said that all she ever asked for was a can of soft drink.

Because so many people were interested in Sarah as president in 2012, she will be the target for some significant interest, criticism, and even scapegoating. Her family support, a strong sense of purpose, her values and even her ambition will provide stress buffers for the days ahead. It is certain that she has the personal strength and resources to manage and relieve any future stress.