Newswise — The emotional highs and lows of the adrenaline-fueled presidential election kept voters engaged until the bitter end as they analyzed policies, dissected soundbites at the water cooler and knocked on doors for campaigns. Now that the election roller coaster is over, post-election let-down is likely to set in. While disappointment over a candidate's loss can lead to post-election blues, anyone may feel let-down once the continuous coverage of the race is over.

As voters put time, energy and emotion into a presidential race of historic proportions, the race became all-consuming, and for many, very personal. That's because our political views represent a fundamental part of our identity, according to Miggie Greenberg, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at Saint Louis University.

"Many things, like politics and religion, are primitive parts of who we are that reflect the way we were raised. Often, our politics reflect our world view," Greenberg said. "When our candidate wins, it reinforces what we believe and what we learned from our families.

"Our candidate, who represents the way we see the world, stands in for us, and it feels very personal," Greenberg said. "When our candidate loses, it can feel like people are rejecting us and our values, which can be hurtful."

It's not just those whose candidate lost who find themselves feeling dispirited. Those who have spent recent months engaged in debating issues with friends, following political blogs or campaigning for a candidate may also feel out-of-sorts once the excitement subsides.

So what is the answer to post-election malaise? There are numerous ways to refocus the energy we've been devoting to politics.

"We can use our newly reclaimed time in other types of civic involvement, like volunteering for a cause we believe in, or we can rediscover hobbies that have been placed on the back burner," Greenberg says. "It's also important to reconnect with other people who share our same values, which can be validating.

"And, if all else fails to cheer you up, remember -- the next presidential election is only four short years away."