How to Handle Anxiety in Times of Political Uncertainty

As the year 2020 reaches close to its end, most of us are already burned out and exhausted from the chaos happening since the beginning of the pandemic. Numerous wild fires, orange skies, evacuation from homes, racial tensions, physical violence, rising COVID cases, and the upcoming election results certainly cause a lot of people to wonder what the future holds.

Although some businesses are slowly re-opening, the atmosphere is definitely different than before where in-door dining is prohibited and people are required to wear masks. Limited number of people are allowed into stores at once. And depending on where you go, people have very different attitudes about the changes in business operation.

Now this blog is definitely not intended to persuade anyone to take a political stance or does it serve as a guidance on how to convince others about who is more politically correct. While many people feel “doomed” or are frustrated that others share different political views, let’s not forget that there are ways to combat your anxiety about uncertainty.

First of all, be mindful that everyone is entitled to their opinion and despite disagreements, we have to remember that we are not in control of what people think. You may choose to actively listen to others’ perspectives or choose not to participate in any political discussion. Having heated arguments or fights further divide people and never leads to solution.

Allowing others to hold on to their belief and values does not mean that you need to give up yours. Imagine having to convince religious people that there is no God; where does the conversation end up? It further provokes division and distracts people from seeing shared values among those with different religious and spiritual beliefs.

The news can be overwhelming. It is ok to be up to date with current events, but replace some of the news watching time with self care. Having adequate sleep, eating well proportioned meals, and having work life balance is essential for maintaining good mental health. After all, once the TV is off or when you are away from your phone, you are still surrounded by 4 walls and covered by a roof. It is just you and your thoughts, so think about what you would do with that precious time of yours.  

Aside from politics, no one can 100% predict what happens in the future. If we spend majority of our time worrying about the future, we lose focus on what is present. It is an unsettling feeling when you feel that you are not in control of what’s going on in this country, but do know that there are little things you can do to regain some sense of control. Take for instance, you have a choice and right to vote. You might feel like your vote may not have a significant impact when there are a million other voters, but step away from that mindset. You do matter.

Contributing to help others can also help you gain a sense of responsibility and control. There are a lot of people facing financial hardships because of this pandemic. You may help in various ways, such as making donation, getting involved with community organizations to find out how you can help, or maybe just simply being there for a close one to give them emotional support. If you are an essential worker, kudos to you! You are definitely holding all of us together to get through our day to day lives.

Lastly, maintain social support. It is tough not being able to gather for a friend’s birthday celebration or do the social activities you once were able to without restrictions, but this does not mean that you are alone. There are a lot of people feeling the same way you do. If you consistently feel like you are not able to manage your mental health or need guidance on enhancing your wellness, please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support.