Many people are feeling emotionally drained this election season, not just overwhelmed, but exhausted on a deeper level. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Even though election day has passed, the conversations, campaigns, and promises still fill our screens and minds. This is not only a pivotal time politically, but also a period where our mental and emotional well-being can feel strained. Politics often centers around highly vulnerable, deeply personal, and emotionally charged issues. Thus, engaging with ongoing political news can create tension within our relationships and within ourselves. It’s common for these moments to bring up anxiety, hopelessness, anger, or grief.
These reactions are valid. Feeling emotionally impacted by political events is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it is a sign that you care about your community, your values, and the world you live in. At the same time, it is important to be intentional about how we engage with the constant stream of information. In our digital world, it is easy to slip into doomscrolling, where we continually consume news or distressing content despite knowing it is negatively affecting our mood and well-being. Without boundaries, the news cycle can feel endless and exhausting.
Learning to notice early warning signs of news burnout and practicing boundaries around political content can help protect your mental health. You are human. You care. And you deserve to stay informed without it costing your emotional stability.
Here are some supportive, realistic strategies to help you stay grounded during and after election season:
- Grounding techniques before, during, or after scrolling (such as orienting to your senses, feet on the floor, noticing your breath, unclenching the muscles, breathing practices, using comforting fidget toys)
- Taking intentional breaks from news or social media, even short ones
- Limiting the time of day you consume news (for example, avoiding late-night scrolling or scrolling first thing in the morning)
- Customizing or muting your feed to reduce graphic or emotionally triggering content
- Reaching out to appropriate community and personal supports you experience overwhelming feelings due to intense or uncomfortable emotions since engaging with media
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, numb, or emotionally provoked by the news cycle, you do not need to navigate that alone. Therapy can provide a space to process what you are feeling, understand your triggers, and create boundaries that support both your values and your mental health.
At Evolve Psychological Services, our clinicians understand how heavy election seasons can feel. Our clinicians support individuals from all backgrounds and across the political spectrum with compassion, sensitivity, and without judgment.
If you’re struggling to find balance in the middle of the noise, you deserve support. We are here to help you reconnect with clarity, emotional stability, and a sense of grounding.
Call or text us today at (973) 891-0793 to schedule an appointment or learn more about how we can support you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out.
