By Stephanie O’Brian, Ed. S., LPC

You turn on the news and immediately feel your heart rate quicken. The political division leaves you feeling agitated and anxious. You are annoyed — annoyed that you feel this way — that others do not agree with you on politics, and that you can’t even take in the news anymore without it affecting your mental health.

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be one of the many Americans who struggle with political anxiety. The Stress in America survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2023 revealed that 57% of Americans find the current political climate stressful. An additional 68% feel significantly stressed by the future of the country. Politics and mental health go hand in hand.

How Politics Weighs on Mental Health & Relationships

Whether you identify as a Democrat, Republican, or anything in between, chances are you have been supremely frustrated by politics recently. Election anxiety is a very real condition. This overwhelming anxiety occurs in the time leading up to an election and produces a great deal of stress and tension. According to the Mayo Clinic, the primary cause of election anxiety is the feeling of being out of control.

In addition to feeling irritated and helpless as a result of the political climate, you may also experience discord with your friends, family, or colleagues. Being at odds with those around us is never comfortable. According to VerywellMind.com’s Dr. Elizabeth Scott, “Conflict virtually always takes a heavier toll on us than most other forms of stress.” Why? Because the human body, mind, and spirit naturally want peace and harmony. Though conflict can be a healthy catalyst for reflection, communication, vulnerability, and compromise in a relationship, political division can be exhausting.

When it comes to politics, most people think they are simply right. Your political beliefs are deeply rooted in your faith, family, finances, and life experiences. Politics bring out passion. Politics also matter; decisions are made at the local, state, and federal levels which heavily affect the day-to-day lives of all Americans. So when others disagree with something that may impact your life directly, it can cause tension and feelings of betrayal. This is yet another example of the direct correlation between politics and mental health.

How Politics Weighs on Overall Health & Wellness

A Plos One study pointed out how many areas of life can be affected by politics. Specifically, the research revealed that exposure to politics was detrimental to the physical, emotional, mental, and social health of Americans. A related study also published by Plos One detailed the significant toll politics takes specifically on our physical health. It showed that within the United States, more than tens of millions of people had experienced moderate to severe side effects from politics — including general stress, lack of sleep, physical illness, and even suicidal thoughts.

Politics and stress are undeniably linked. Unfortunately, trying to minimize your stress by avoiding politics is nearly impossible. It has a constant presence on social media and has found its way into public events, conversations at work, the dinner table at home, and the pulpit at church. “Politics is a chronic stressor, saturating popular culture and permeating daily life through social media, various entertainment platforms and a 24-hour news cycle,” writes political science professor and researcher Dr. Kevin B. Smith. Political division and election anxiety pervade every facet of life. The inability to escape it only compounds the stress it produces.

VerywellMind.com details some other ways we can be negatively affected by politics. Some include:

• Relational problems with friends, family, and colleagues
• Issues with school and/or work (i.e., missing work, late assignments, trouble focusing on current tasks)
• Legal problems, including issues with drinking
• Emotional duress (worry, irritability, anxiety, tension)
• Physical symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, stomach irritability, insomnia, headaches, and other ailments

How to Stay in Control When Things Feel Out of Control

Remember that political anxiety only exists because we care about what is happening, and caring is not necessarily bad. When we view something as critically important and others disagree, it can be hurtful and frustrating. However, we must all remember to hold a space for grace regarding politics. All of us have different experiences and perspectives. Normally, we can celebrate these differences as they make life full and richer. Yet, when it comes to politics, the differences truly divide.

So how do you safeguard your sanity while holding to your convictions? You must first determine what is most valuable to you — your individual wellness or the collective fulfillment that comes from seeing your political passions realized. There is no right answer here; you must do what is in your own best interest. Research from the APA has shown that stress experienced from following political news daily can negatively affect your health and well-being, but so can disengaging.

This idea of choosing between your own well-being and what you perceive to be the well-being of others is hard. We are taught to stand up for our convictions, advocate for what’s right and just, and voice our truths. Yet, making sure we do not drain ourselves while doing so is also critically important. So what to do?

Here are some tips the APA offers on how to cope with political stress:

• Stay informed but know your limits
• Find commonalities with others
• Find meaningful ways to get involved in your community
• Seek solace
• Take care of yourself

As you look after yourself, pay attention to your body, your mind, and your emotions. Be mindful of when and where you find political anxiety affecting you. Recognize your triggers and decide in advance what topics or conversations you are willing to engage in and which ones you are not. Communicate your boundaries.

Help for Political Anxiety

There is such a thing as too much stress. If you have already passed the breaking point due to political division and political anxiety, know you are not alone. Feeling overwhelmed — even to the point of suicidal thoughts — due to what is happening in the country does not make you dramatic. You may be one of the millions of Americans who wrestle deeply with everything happening in the world. Here at The Meadows, our trained professionals are ready to help you detox from stress, deal with anxiety, and heal any deep wounds you may have. Let us assist you in returning to a healthy place where you can regain control of your emotions and how much politics affects you. Reach out today to learn more.