5 Ways to Gain Perspective When Politics and Protests Trigger Your Anxiety
Pandemic, protests, police, and politics — welcome to 2020. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you probably feel both energized and confused at the same time. There’s so much to learn, to think about… so much that needs to be done. But this does not mean all of us can immediately jump up and get started.
Some folks may have pre-existing physical health conditions that limit their options in a time of disease outbreak. Other people could be severely impacted by the economic downturn and have no choice but to prioritize their financial stability over everything else. There are many mitigating factors to consider — including anxiety.
Anxiety and 2020
We live in extraordinary times. Feeling anxious is to be expected. But when those moments of anxiety become a debilitating trend, you may be dealing with a diagnosable condition, e.g.
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- PTSD
- OCD
- Particular phobias
Suddenly being thrust into the maelstrom that is 2020 could trigger an existing disorder or provoke an entirely new one. The schisms and divisions we face today have the power to inspire a desire to withdraw which, in turn, may make us feel guilty that we’re not part of the solution.
For starters, you can take these self-help steps to gain perspective. In addition, there’s never been a better time to look into professional guidance (see below).
5 Ways to Gain Perspective When Politics and Protests Trigger Your Anxiety
1. Take Regular Digital Breaks
Your news feed is consciously designed to keep you scrolling. It presents only one of many, many perspectives on current events. Therefore, in the name of decreasing anxiety, it is essential to schedule in some non-device time on a regular basis. Stop living in a time of crisis and live in the moment.
2. Progress is a Marathon
If you cannot participate as much as wish to now, remember that all social change takes time. A lot of time. Do your best now and, as you become more adept at managing your anxiety disorder, your best will evolve.
3. There is So Much Work — Big and Small — to Be Done
It’s easy to get caught up in life as a competition. But again, whenever you stand in terms of ideology, there is lots of work to be. Big, small, and in-between — it all matters. Allow yourself to realistically assess what is within your means.
4. Self-Care is Revolutionary
Struggling to create a better world begins with self-care. Your habits and patterns pertaining to sleep, eating, activity, and stress management are your anxiety-reducing foundation.
5. Focus on What is Within Your Control
When you take one of your regular tech breaks, give yourself a clear picture of what’s going on and how you can fit in. A downfall of protest movements and political strategies is that is tempting to skip the fundamental steps.
Acknowledge that you can only impact what is in your control. Therefore, this is where your focus must be. By maintaining this perspective, you become more effective. Also, you soothe an anxious tendency to spread yourself too thin, worry reproductively, and react rashly.
This is an Ideal Time to Ask For Help
We live in extraordinary times. This calls for extraordinary measures. You may have thought about counseling in your life but saw it as something other people needed. Sure, life could get tricky but you’d figure it out on your own. But now, in a time of virtually unprecedented crisis, it makes sense to ask for help.
Regular therapy sessions are a safe space for addressing your anxiety — in general, and in context with what’s going on. Being this is 2020, sessions are available in both an in-person or video chat setting.
Please read more about anxiety counseling and contact me today to find out more about teletherapy and how effective it can be in managing your anxiety and the times in which we live.