Political Divide Affecting People's Mental Health
Politically speaking, the United States has never been more divided. Centrists are rare, with 94% of Democrats standing left of the median and 92% of Republicans standing right of the median of the opposing party. With nothing to agree upon, members of both parties are becoming increasingly partisan, and it’s affecting our mental health. Approximately two out of five people say they feel stressed out over politics, and about 10% say politics is affecting their physical health. But the times aren't showing signs of narrowing the divide. In fact, they appear to be worsening by the day.
As politics become increasingly divisive, many are experiencing a mental and physical toll. A new study sheds light on the problem. People are stressed out, angry, too invested and full of regret, none of which bodes well for their mental health. So let's look at what we can do to counteract the worst of it.
The Political Divide As It Stands Today
According to the Harvard Political Review, Americans feel more divided today, politically speaking, than at any other point in our nation’s history, including the very divisive 1960s. People from opposing parties do not trust each other, and they definitely don’t want their children marrying someone of the opposing party. About half of Republicans and one-third of Democrats say they would be somewhat or very unhappy if this were to happen.
Legislators cannot agree on what they want to work on, let alone agree on any policy regarding those matters, so is it any wonder we feel divided? The constant discord in our nation’s capital only serves to fuel the political divide in the country.
How the Divide Is Affecting Mental Health
Politics weigh heavily on the minds of many, and there is no break. The 24-hour news cycle and the constant barrage of information on social media have created a world in which problems are magnified and nobody can escape from it. This unending blast of emotional topics, discord and us-against-them viewpoints can wreak havoc on mental health, leading to depression and anxiety.
Not only that, certain events can serve as triggers for vulnerable individuals. For example, a woman with PTSD revealed in this article that her condition was triggered by President Trump’s attacks on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. People of color, Muslims, LGTBQ individuals and others who are frequently targeted by hate crimes also feel more under attack in the current political climate and experience fear because of this. Others may feel unheard, marginalized, or villainized. And this combination stresses everyone out.
How to Rise Above the Political Fray
Regardless of why politics affects your mental health, there are ways to fix the issue. Take a break from the news and social media cycle. Turn it off for a while and look at the realities around you instead of the distant issues.
Choose not to discuss it anymore. Also, do not feel like you have to address every political comment that goes against your ideology, both online and off. Make politics an off-limits topic. This goes double if you can’t communicate about politics without having a disagreement. If a friend or family member brings up a political topic, let them know that you would prefer not to discuss politics or swiftly change the subject.
If you feel like you need to make a difference politically, volunteer for a positive cause that supports your beliefs. This will eliminate the feeling that you’re helpless and not doing anything to help. After all, spending time online arguing with strangers can hurt your mental health and has no real payoff. Volunteering, on the other hand, is great for mental health and can make a difference in the world without having to discuss the things that divide us.
Help someone with opposing beliefs. That neighbor with the opposing political signs might seem less like a monster if you take them some cookies or help shovel their driveway. Talk about other things and remember how much you have in common instead of how much you don't.
Politics can be divisive, but your mental and physical health is more important. If you are experiencing distress over the current political environment, it may also be beneficial to speak to a therapist about it. Re-humanize people. We may disagree with each other about some ideas, but we're all people and we have more to love than our politics.
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