You’re not alone in feeling politically stressed! In fact, the political climate has been high-stress for quite a while, and it will continue to do so. It's just part of the process. With so many issues at play, it's hard to know what's real and what's not. It's hard to know who to trust.
Uncertain political times can leave people confused, scared, angry, and feeling unsure about the future. However, don't let the ever-changing political climate get you down! You can take charge of your well-being, deal with your feelings, and give yourself the best chance to thrive in the midst of change. Here are five ways you successfully manage being politically stressed:
1. Find Out How Much Time You Spend Engaging with Political Content
The amount of time you spend on political content depends on your level of political stress. Naturally, people who are politically stressed will feel the need to spend more time engaging with political content. This can lead to a vicious cycle, where the more time you spend, the more stressed you get. The less time you spend, the less stressed you get.
Start by asking how much time you spend engaging with political content? You may feel like you're doing it all the time, but it’s helpful to capture this information. Don’t forget to include all of your online activity, as well as your time watching and listening to the news, talking about politics with friends and family, and attending political events. Don’t forget to include time spent reading an article that may have political content. If you read an article about a politician, it may contain political content.
2. Take a Digital Detox
How often do you check your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts? Many people can't go 10 minutes without stopping to check their social media or e-mail. We tend to over-consume media, which causes us to become stressed. When you are checking the news or social media, you are simply bringing more stress into your life. This is why it is so important to take a digital detox.
A digital detox means taking a break from all digital media. That means no reading or watching the news online and no checking your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. You can still go on the computer to read or do work, but don't do it for pleasure. Digital detoxes can be very refreshing.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Take a few moments to slow down, stop multitasking, and take a few mindful breaths. Mindfulness is the act of focusing your full attention on the present moment, while resisting the urge to multi-task. Mindfulness will help you stay present and focused, without living in or obsessing about the past or future. Mindfulness exercises can reduce stress and help you be more present and focused.
4. Engage in Healthy Communication
When communicating with others, be mindful of how you communicate. Make sure that you don't get caught up in a conversation with someone who is emotionally needy or is negative. If you are attacking someone, turn it into a conversation about how you feel. You can even detach yourself from your political stress by making a joke. Although the topic may not be a laughing matter, the stress relief will certainly make you feel better. Also, listening to others helps you feel more connected, and it can help you manage your stress.
5. Learn to Step Away from Conversations
Now, try as you may, it is sometimes difficult to stop talking about politics. Even if you are successful in keeping the conversation on a light note, it may not always be possible to avoid talking politics. When you feel yourself getting stressed out, it is best to say something like, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to run. Have a nice day!"
The political climate can be stressful, especially when it feels like you are part of the problem. However, the more you learn to manage your stress, the more positive you will feel. By learning to manage your stress, you will give yourself the best chance to thrive in the midst of change.
Conclusion
If you’re stressed from politics, it’s not your fault, and it’s not in your head. It’s real. It’s a real source of stress in our daily lives. Though politics may seem like it is getting worse, and it’s hard to know how we got here, it’s never been easier to learn how to manage your stress.
If you're experiencing politically induced stress or other forms of stress, take a moment to assess your situation and ask for help. Hope Seed Support Center is here to provide counseling for addiction, depression, stress, and anxiety. No matter what your need or circumstance is, you can trust us to provide hope-centered counseling so you can live a healthier and stress-free life. Give us a call today to begin your journey to a better you.
