How We Can Cope With Political Stress
Mental Health
The U.S. is in unprecedented times. Reading or watching the news is stressful these days. So much information comes at us every day and we can quickly become overwhelmed.
Political stress was one of the top stressors in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2024 Stress In American survey. Most adults surveyed (77 percent) said the country’s future was a “significant source” of stress. The presidential election in 2024 caused “significant stress” for 69 percent of adults. In 2016, it was only 52 percent.
Political stress, like all stressors, shows up in the body. Psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Riba and a member of the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center list signs of political stress:
A higher blood pressure than usual
Weight gain or loss
Anxious or worried feelings
Drastic mood changes
Sleep struggles
Increased use of substances (caffeine, sugar, alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, other)
“Given this political climate, I hear from patients who even say they're changing plans to avoid meeting with friends or family members who have differing views,” said Michelle Riba, M.D., M.S., psychiatrist and member of the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center.
4 Ways To Cope With Political Stress
We can strike a balance between staying informed and overwhelming ourselves. There are healthy ways to process triggers. Here are X ways we can cope:
Reduce the news you read or watch. We live in a world of 24/7 notifications and news. It’s okay to put down that phone or tablet. Put do not disturb on for at least an hour a day.
Read the news more than you watch it. If you get most of your news from television, read more news articles and turn the TV off. Reading gives you more control and helps you retain what you are learning. Studies find that watching the news causes more stress and anxiety than reading it.
Know what you can control. You can’t control what is happening with national politics. However, you can control your attention. Focus on activities you enjoy, your loved ones, and good self-care.
Reduce the time you spend on social media. Our social media feeds are filled with political content. It can become daunting and overwhelming.
Staying Engaged Without Becoming Overwhelmed
You are likely a trauma survivor if you subscribe to The Possible Path. While it is important to stay engaged politically, do not let yourself become stressed out. You already cope with the aftereffects of trauma and healing is tough. Decide what issues matter to you, and what actions you will take. Then, tune out the other issues.