Coping with Post-Election Stress: Staying Centered and Connected
As the dust settles after another contentious election, many are feeling deeply uneasy. Concerns about what the future holds are causing anxiety, and some feel genuinely unsure about potential changes and what may come next. In the therapy world, we’re hearing heightened worries and a sense of vulnerability that’s hard to shake.
Why I’m Here to Talk About This
As a therapist, I’ve worked with people from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and beliefs. I see how external pressures weigh on us internally.
When I talk about finding calm and ease, it’s not about ignoring real concerns. It’s about helping your body and mind stay grounded so you can face challenges with clarity and resilience.
In my practice, I help people navigate feelings of fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty. By tuning into your body’s responses and learning ways to regulate your nervous system, you can feel more balanced and in control—no matter what’s happening around you.
If you’re struggling with post-election anxiety, relational stress, or feelings of isolation, know that there are tools to help you reconnect with a sense of calm and centeredness.
Fears of Policy Changes, Bigotry, and Polarization
For those concerned about potential policy changes or displays of bigotry, it’s natural to feel fear or uncertainty. Statements from campaigns or encountering offensive comments can feel overwhelming—almost like hatred is everywhere, amplifying the sense that it's more prevalent.
Though no new policies are yet in place, staying emotionally regulated can help when it feels like change is already happening. When dysregulated, our minds often assume the worst, making feared outcomes feel imminent. Staying grounded allows for clearer thinking and more productive action that aligns with our values.
Confusion and Strong Feelings
In this polarized climate, a lot of people feel confused or frustrated about why so many voted for a candidate with major character concerns and questions about his leadership. This can lead to worries about the character or assumptions about the intelligence of those who supported him.
On the other hand, you may have prioritized other issues when voting and feel confused, hurt, or frustrated when others question your character or intelligence based on that choice.
Finding Perspective and a Broader View
When we’re constantly surrounded by media or social circles that reinforce polarized narratives, it’s easy to become hyper-focused on our concerns and miss the broader view.
It can be even more challenging when we encounter messages that discourage conversation, encourage viewing those who think differently with fear or disdain, or urge us to distrust others’ motives.
But when we feel a bit more secure, we can start to see a fuller picture of what’s happening around us, noticing that there are positive aspects of life alongside these worries.
Spending time in face-to-face conversations with others can help. We often find that people’s views are more nuanced than they appear online, and if they’re not, we might gain more insight into where those views come from.
Each human we come across is complex—just like us and those close to us whom we feel we understand. Real-life relationships often go beyond a single belief or vote, and getting to know someone’s layers may make it easier to appreciate them beyond a single stance or label.
Connecting Beyond the Tension
It can also help to step out of the tension altogether and connect with the natural world. Nature’s rhythms—like the changing seasons, weather patterns, and steady cycle of day into night—remind us that life keeps moving and changing.
As you step outside, take a moment to notice the feeling of fresh air on your face, the texture of a tree, or the sound of birds. These small regulating practices can help you feel rooted in something beyond today’s concerns, even just for a moment.
Navigating Relationships Across Divisions
In today’s polarized climate, it’s challenging for many who don’t fully align with either political “camp.” With voices on the far right and far left dominating, it’s easy to feel isolated, silenced, or pressured to conform.
Seeing friends or family post harsh generalizations about values you identify with, or hearing media figures make sweeping statements, can lead to confusion, hurt, and even anger.
This polarization is straining relationships and impacting mental health for people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Many feel anxious about sharing their views, worrying that loved ones may distance themselves or that social media will “pile on.” Often, people stay silent or hide parts of themselves, feeling isolated or misjudged.
For some, it can feel as if there’s little room for different perspectives, and expressing a viewpoint—even one that feels reasonable or personal—might be met with misunderstanding or disapproval.
For others, it’s not just about expressing views; it’s also about a deeper fear of how others might react if all their beliefs were known. Will friends or family withdraw? Will colleagues lose respect? This is a valid concern, reflecting the genuine fear of being misjudged and the pressure to conform in order to keep connections intact.
Cultivating Curiosity and Understanding
Feeling calm and centered helps us tap into curiosity. When we can find that sense of stability, curiosity can help us gain insights about those around us and see things from a perspective closer to reality.
We may find that their beliefs aren’t quite what we assumed, or that our initial reactions softened with a bit of curiosity.
How Feeling Unsafe Affects Clear Thinking
Our amygdala—the brain’s “threat detector”—activates our fight, flight, or freeze response when we perceive danger. In times of political and social tension, even family or friends can feel like threats if they hold opposing views.
This doesn’t mean they’re physically dangerous, but our lower brain structures may interpret the emotional discomfort as a real threat, especially when there’s fear of possible changes that could affect our well-being or safety.
Clear Thinking Takes Regulation
When the amygdala is firing, we lose some of our ability to think clearly and logically. The body’s focus shifts to survival, which makes it harder to have meaningful conversations, see things from another perspective, or make decisions that actually feel good in the long run. This can affect our relationships and impact how we respond to what’s next, often leading to choices we may question later.
Our nervous systems respond to both real and perceived threats based on personal experiences, biology, and current stressors. Regulating these responses can help us feel more grounded, take a clearer look at what’s happening, and choose actions that feel aligned and productive.
Finding ways to work with these responses isn’t just about managing immediate reactions—it’s about supporting ourselves in ways that let us respond in line with who we want to be and what we want to do.
Ways to Regulate and Find Calm
Grounding Exercises: Connect with your physical surroundings. Feel the support of your chair or the sensation of your feet on the ground. These simple actions help bring your nervous system back to the present.
Resourcing: If possible, go to a calming place or engage in an activity that brings peace or a sense of empowerment. Visualize a memory, place, or person that brings comfort or strength. If calm isn’t what you need, lifting heavy objects, going for a run, or doing something that allows your body to expend energy can also be helpful.
Limit Media and Social Media Consumption: Social media and news can spiral us into worry or anger. Limiting time on screens, setting boundaries, or seeking balanced perspectives can help protect your nervous system from unnecessary stress.
Other Movement: Moving intuitively can be highly beneficial. Wiggle, bounce, stretch, do yoga, or engage in any movement that feels natural to help the body release tension.
Meeting Basic Needs: Make sure you’re eating well, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and finding time to rest and move. Tuning into your body’s needs can provide a foundation of stability.
Navigating these intense emotions and divisions isn’t easy, but you’re not alone. I hope these techniques offer a bit of calm, grounding, and perspective, helping you feel more balanced and supported, even as we face these challenges together.
Finding balance in uncertain times is not about ignoring real concerns. It’s about creating a sense of regulation, groundedness, and resilience that allows you to respond thoughtfully—no matter where you stand or how you feel post-election.