You check the news constantly. You scroll through social media looking for updates. You feel a knot in your stomach every time you think about the political climate. You argue with family members, lose sleep over current events, and feel helpless about the state of the world.
People tell you to just stop watching the news or to accept what you cannot control. But ignoring what is happening feels irresponsible. You care about these issues. You just do not know how to care without drowning in anxiety.
If you have been searching election anxiety, political stress, or therapy for anxiety Colorado, you are recognizing something important. Political stress is real, it affects mental health, and you can engage with the world without destroying your wellbeing.
At Better Lives, Building Tribes, we help people in Colorado manage anxiety related to current events and find ways to stay engaged without burning out. This article explores why political stress happens, how to set healthy boundaries, and how to stay grounded.
Why Political And Current Events Create Anxiety
Political anxiety is not just about disagreeing with policies. It taps into deeper fears:
Threat To Safety And Security
Political decisions affect real lives. Healthcare, civil rights, environmental policies, economic stability. When these feel threatened, your nervous system responds as if you are in danger.
Loss Of Control
You feel powerless to influence outcomes. This helplessness is deeply anxiety provoking.
Moral Distress
When you see injustice or harm happening and feel unable to stop it, it creates moral injury. You feel complicit by inaction.
Social Division
Politics divides families, friendships, and communities. You might feel isolated or in conflict with people you love.
Constant Information Overload
News cycles are relentless. Social media amplifies outrage. You are exposed to more information than your brain can process.
Signs Political Stress Is Affecting Your Mental Health
Caring about the world is not the problem. The problem is when that care becomes all consuming. Signs political stress is affecting you:
- Checking news or social media compulsively throughout the day.
- Difficulty sleeping or intrusive thoughts about current events.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, or doom scrolling.
- Increased conflict in relationships about politics.
- Physical symptoms like tension, headaches, or stomach issues.
- Withdrawing from activities you used to enjoy.
- Difficulty focusing on work or daily tasks.
If several of these apply, it is time to make changes.
How To Set Boundaries Around News And Social Media
Staying informed does not require constant exposure. Here is how to set healthier boundaries:
Limit News Consumption
Decide when and how often you will check news. Maybe it is once in the morning and once in the evening. Set a timer so you do not get sucked in.
Curate Your Feed
Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger anxiety or outrage. Follow sources that inform without sensationalizing.
Turn Off Notifications
Breaking news alerts keep you in a state of hypervigilance. Turn them off. The world will not end if you do not know something immediately.
Designate News Free Times
No news during meals, before bed, or first thing in the morning. Protect your peace during these times.
Avoid Doomscrolling
If you find yourself endlessly scrolling through bad news, set a hard stop. Use an app that limits your time on certain platforms.
How To Stay Engaged Without Burning Out
Disengaging completely is not the answer for many people. Here is how to stay involved in healthy ways:
Focus On What You Can Control
You cannot control election outcomes or policy decisions. You can control your own actions. Volunteer, donate, vote, have conversations. Focus on your sphere of influence.
Take Action Instead Of Just Consuming
Action reduces feelings of helplessness. If an issue matters to you, do something about it instead of just reading about it.
Connect With Like Minded People
Find community with people who share your values. Collective action feels less overwhelming than individual anxiety.
Balance Awareness With Self Care
You can care deeply and also take breaks. Rest is not apathy. It is how you sustain long term engagement.
Limit Political Conversations With People Who Drain You
You do not have to debate politics with everyone. It is okay to set boundaries with people who are not open to genuine conversation.
How To Manage Conflict With Loved Ones About Politics
Political differences are straining relationships across the country. Here is how to navigate them:
Decide What Is Worth Fighting For
Not every political disagreement needs to be addressed. Ask yourself “Is this conversation productive? Is this relationship worth preserving?”
Set Boundaries
It is okay to say “I do not want to talk about politics with you.” You do not owe anyone a debate.
Focus On Values, Not Politics
If you want to maintain the relationship, find common ground in shared values. People often want similar things (safety, security, fairness) but disagree on how to achieve them.
Know When To Walk Away
Some relationships are not sustainable when values are fundamentally opposed. It is okay to distance yourself from people whose beliefs harm you or others.
How To Process Grief And Fear About The Future
Political anxiety often involves grief and fear about what might happen. Here is how to process those emotions:
Name The Feelings
Are you feeling fear? Grief? Anger? Helplessness? Naming emotions makes them more manageable.
Allow Yourself To Feel
Do not suppress or minimize your feelings. If you are scared or sad, that is valid. Let yourself feel it.
Balance Catastrophizing With Reality
Anxiety makes you imagine worst case scenarios. Ask yourself “What is actually happening right now? What is within my control?”
Connect With Others Who Understand
Talking to people who share your concerns validates your feelings and reduces isolation.
How Therapy Helps With Political Stress
Therapy provides tools to manage anxiety and stay grounded during uncertain times. At Better Lives, Building Tribes, therapy for political stress might include:
Managing Anxiety
We teach you tools to regulate your nervous system when anxiety spikes. This might include breathwork, grounding techniques, or cognitive strategies.
Setting Boundaries
We help you figure out what boundaries you need around news, social media, and relationships to protect your mental health.
Processing Grief And Fear
We create space for you to talk about what you are feeling without judgment or dismissal.
Finding Meaningful Action
We help you identify ways to engage that feel meaningful without overwhelming you.
Navigating Relationship Conflict
We help you decide how to handle political differences in relationships and set boundaries that protect both the relationship and your wellbeing.
We offer virtual therapy for adults across Colorado, so you can access support from home during stressful times.
What Healthy Engagement Looks Like
Healthy political engagement does not mean constant anxiety. It means:
- You can stay informed without compulsive news checking.
- You take action when possible without feeling paralyzed by what you cannot control.
- You can take breaks without guilt.
- You maintain relationships that matter even when you disagree.
- You can hold hope and fear at the same time.
How Better Lives, Building Tribes Supports Political Stress
At Better Lives, Building Tribes, we understand that caring about the world can be overwhelming. We help you find ways to stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health.
Our approach is:
- Nonjudgmental: We do not minimize your concerns or tell you to just stop caring.
- Practical: We provide concrete tools for managing anxiety and setting boundaries.
- Compassionate: We hold space for fear, grief, and uncertainty.
- Empowering: We help you find ways to act that feel meaningful.
Next Steps: Managing Political Stress In Colorado
If political anxiety is affecting your mental health, therapy can help. You do not have to choose between caring and being okay.
To start therapy for anxiety and political stress with Better Lives, Building Tribes:
- Visit betterlivesbuildingtribes.com/ to learn more about our services.
- Schedule a session with Dr. Meaghan Rice or another therapist on our team through the booking link on our site.
- Reach out via our contact form to ask questions or find out if we are a good fit for what you are experiencing.
You can stay engaged with the world and also take care of yourself. With support, you can find that balance. We would be honored to help.
