What is political stress? Political stress is emotional and mental strain caused by sociopolitical issues, such as elections, laws, or systemic injustice. It can feel like burnout, fear, anger, or helplessness—especially when your identity is directly impacted.
Why it hits marginalized communities harder: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities often carry intergenerational trauma and face the ongoing stress of being dehumanized or targeted by policy. This compounds everyday stress and can lead to emotional fatigue.
Impact on mental health:
- Sleep issues
- Hypervigilance or hopelessness
- Rage or numbness
- Disconnection from joy or creativity
Finding boundaries:
- Curate your news and social feeds
- Schedule intentional time offline
- Find community spaces that validate your experience
- Engage in activism only when resourced
Therapy as a space to process: Therapy can help you grieve, express anger, and find ways to care for your mental health in a world that can feel unsafe. It’s a place to be heard, seen, and re-grounded.
