Political change can be difficult, but there are still things that are in our control! One thing we can control is our wellbeing, so right now, let’s focus on it.
1. Notice how much time you spend engaging with political content both online and in-person.
While it is very important to remain aware of political affairs, overloading yourself with news is not healthy or effective. Being aware of how much time you spend reading online news is especially integral to taking care of your mental health. Social media accounts often rely on a shock factor to spread their message to a large audience in a short amount of time. This shock factor, through worry-laced headlines and jarring images, can often negatively impact mental health. It may be beneficial to switch your primary news source from social media to a more neutral news source, and you should be aware of what types of news sources you are sharing with others. Organizations such as NPR produce podcasts that present you the news you need in a short amount of time, relying on soothing voices rather than a harmful shock factor.
2. If you are stressed about current political events, be careful about bringing them up with individuals with whom you have not previously discussed politics.
While it is beneficial to hear from multiple perspectives about an issue, political discussions do not always cultivate understanding and compromise during strenuous times. Stress can hinder the benefits of political discussions by setting them aflame, and sticking to more neutral topics like music and sports can help ease mental and emotional tension. It might be more constructive to wait until your emotions cool before discussing politics with a new person.
3. Acknowledge your feelings and their causes.
I wanted to publish this article after the election because political uncertainty will likely not end with electing a candidate. You may be experiencing residual stress and worry, and there will likely be more political decisions that will cause these emotions in the future . Considering this fact, it is okay for us to still be grappling with difficult feelings even after the election. Taking time to understand and accept your emotions (and their root causes) will enable you to take the most beneficial action.
It is also important to identify non-political feelings and their causes. Just because political uncertainty permeates the American air doesn’t mean we don’t have personal issues to grapple with. We must also accept these issues and identify the stress they cause; doing so will allow us to move forward towards healing.
4. Take action!
Whether through self care or community engagement, taking action will help you address feelings of stress and worry. Things you can do include: taking a walk in nature, writing down what you are grateful for, focusing on what is and is not in your control, volunteering in your community, writing down or talking about your feelings, and spending time with friends.
