I regretfully interrupt your regularly scheduled holiday programming to bring you a timely message.
How to deal with election stress.
To be honest, I didn’t want to go there, and I’ve been actively avoiding the subject.
However, if I truly want to be in service, and I do, I must address this very unpleasant topic.
I realize politics isn’t unpleasant for everyone.
In fact, I used to be a self-described political junkie.
But that all changed for me during the 2016 presidential campaign.
I felt battered and bruised after witnessing the vitriol and hatred that rapidly spread across our country.
I witnessed friends and family cutting loved ones out of their lives over conflicting political views.
The astounding loss of kindness and civility was painful and shocking.
My response was to opt out and begin a journey to discover a new way to stay informed without the drama and stress.
I encourage you to do so as well.
We do not have to contribute to a system that encourages anger, fear, and division.
In fact, we must refuse to do so.
"Political anxiety is a form of stress that emerges from concerns and uncertainties about political events, policies, and leaders. It's a specific type of worry that can manifest in various ways, including heightened anger, fear, or uncertainty. Often, political anxiety is fueled by continuous media coverage, social media discussions, and the seemingly constant barrage of political news. With the rapid pace of today's news cycle, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and out of control, leading to persistent anxiety.
At its core, political anxiety is a response to feeling powerless or threatened by external political forces. Whether it’s about potential policy changes, election outcomes, or international relations, this form of anxiety taps into our deep-seated need for stability and security. When these fundamental needs feel jeopardized, our bodies and minds react, creating a stress response that's hard to ignore.
The key lies in finding a balance that allows you to stay aware without becoming overwhelmed.
From setting healthy boundaries with media consumption to engaging in productive conversations and focusing on personal wellbeing, there are several effective ways to mitigate the impact of political anxiety. How to Handle Election and Political Stress and Anxiety - Headspace"
I have much to say about this, and I will over the next few weeks, but first, let’s address The News.
The news media operates as a profit-driven industry.
The more views it gets, the more money it makes.
And how does it get us to watch?
Fear.
Plain and simple.
The news industry understands how human brains work and unapologetically exploits this knowledge.
When we see, hear, or read something that creates fear in our nervous system, our brains react by paying attention to that possible threat.
We want to know more so we can prepare for danger.
So we watch more, and the cycle continues.
Unfortunately, when we are in fear the rational part of our brain does not function well.
Creativity, clarity, compassion, and problem-solving are unavailable.
We simply revert to fight or flight.
This very intentional strategy of the news media has done terrible damage to individuals and to our society as a whole.
Politics, journalism, and social media are designed to incite conflict.
Please be aware that this is not happening by accident.
News and media executives, as well as politicians, know full well what they are doing.
However, when we also know full well what they are doing, we can reclaim our power and advocate for both personal and global peace.
Take your power back by focusing on what you can control and what you can change.
Here are some things we are in control of:
Be intentional when you seek out information.
Find neutral, credible news sources.
Be aware of the tone. Dramatic and sensational language creates a fight-or-flight reaction in our brains.
For the love of God, please turn off the news notifications. It’s distracting, stress-inducing, and leaves you vulnerable to a business designed to undermine your peace of mind.
Put a time limit on your consumption of the news.
Reading the news can be less intense than watching it.
Avoid consuming it first thing in the morning or right before bed. It can set the tone for your day and leave your mind trying to process fear at night.
Balance the bad news by focusing on something good, positive, and encouraging.
Change always starts from the inside out.
Our internal world creates our external world, individually and collectively.
It’s time to reclaim our power and direct our anger at the institutions that manipulate and steal our peace, instead of turning it against each other over different opinions.
Awareness is the first and most important step.
Have an empowered week.
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