Coping with the Political Climate – A Therapist’s Perspective
As a therapist, one of the most common concerns I hear lately isn’t about personal relationships, work stress, or even anxiety in the traditional sense—it’s about politics. The current political climate, regardless of your ideology, has become a persistent source of emotional and psychological strain. People feel divided, disheartened, angry, and sometimes even hopeless. Many clients enter my office carrying the emotional weight of political turmoil, and they often ask: How am I supposed to stay mentally healthy in a world like this?
Here’s the good news: there are ways to care for yourself and stay grounded—even when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control.
Name What You’re Feeling
First, acknowledge what’s going on emotionally. Are you anxious? Angry? Numb? Overwhelmed? Emotional awareness is a powerful tool. If you suppress or ignore what you’re feeling, it tends to grow louder. Give yourself permission to name the emotions—without judgment.
Our political system and media cycle are designed to keep us engaged and reactive. But our nervous systems aren’t built for a 24/7 drip of conflict and crisis. Simply saying, “I feel powerless,” or “I feel heartbroken,” can be the first step in regaining control.
Limit News Consumption Without Going Numb
You don’t have to shut out the world completely, but you also don’t need to immerse yourself in every breaking headline. One strategy I recommend is intentional consumption: set boundaries around when and how you take in the news. For example, designate a 20-minute window once or twice a day to check reliable sources, and then step away.
Doomscrolling doesn’t make us more informed—it makes us more anxious. Staying informed should empower you, not paralyze you.
Reconnect with Your Values
Politics is personal because it touches our values—what we care about most. That’s why political tension feels so painful; it’s not just a difference of opinion, it feels like a challenge to who we are.
Use this as an opportunity to get clear on your values. What matters most to you? Compassion? Justice? Freedom? Community? Once you’ve identified those values, ask yourself: How can I live these out in my daily life, regardless of what’s happening politically?
You might not be able to fix Washington, but you can volunteer at a local shelter, donate to a cause, or show up for someone in need. That’s real power.
Hold Space for Discomfort—Yours and Others’ and Don’t Go It Alone
This is a tough one, but crucial. We are living in a time of intense polarization. Conversations with friends, family, and colleagues can feel like walking through a minefield.
Instead of trying to convince or avoid, consider listening. That doesn’t mean tolerating harmful views, but it does mean approaching difficult conversations with curiosity over combativeness when possible.
And when the emotional load becomes too heavy, give yourself permission to step away. You’re not obligated to engage in every debate. Self-preservation is not the same as apathy.
Isolation magnifies distress. You’re not the only one struggling with the anxiety and emotional weight of the political climate. Talk to people you trust. Join a support group. Consider therapy. Mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity, especially when the world feels chaotic.
When things feel out of control, connection becomes our lifeline. Remember that healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in community.
As a therapist, I often remind clients that emotional resilience isn’t about becoming invulnerable—it’s about learning how to stay present and grounded, even when the world is messy. The political climate may not change overnight, but how you respond to it—how you care for yourself and others—can make a powerful difference.
Let’s not lose sight of our agency, our compassion, and our capacity to create change, one small act at a time. Seek out a therapist for anxiety therapy if you feel like your mental health is suffering.