It’s no secret that the stress in the United States has been worsened due to tensions over politics. The American Psychological Association reports several indicators that political divisiveness weighs heavily on our minds. For example, 77% of American adults view the future of the nation as a significant source of stress. Related to this, 73% say they feel stress about the health of our economy, and 69% of adults worry about the upcoming presidential election.
To no one’s surprise, the high focus on politics in news and social media leaves many feeling drained. This suggests that the spotlight on political divisiveness is casting a dark shadow on our mental health. 
Keeping up with news and social media is often used as a way to pass time and relax after a long day, but it can also foster negative feelings. Two types of political fatigue related to news and social media have been identified: Interest- and identity-based fatigue.
Interest-based fatigue happens when we don’t want to hear about politics, but our news sources and social feeds fixate on the topic. It is generating that familiar response of this again?! Another type of exhaustion is identity-based fatigue, and this describes the response from those with strong political leanings. People feel worn out by the continual exposure to politics when they feel compelled to upvote or comment to make their view known.
Both these types of exhaustion increase stress perception, which can make all aspects of our daily lives feel more challenging. With political ads often designed to evoke anger or frustration, it becomes clear that many can benefit from taping into resources that help us shift out of the stress response.
The physical response to stress (regardless of its source) involves higher cortisol levels and a sense of hypervigilance or alertness. With political info everywhere we look, it feels unavoidable to engage. This can cause some to feel trapped in a state of chronic stress. This perception that we have little control over what’s going on can heighten the symptoms of anxiety and depression, but there are practical strategies that can mitigate stress. These practices can help us regain a sense of calm in our lives without avoiding the news all together.
Our thinking patterns are related to how we breathe. And for this reason, intentional breathwork can be one of the most immediate and accessible ways to reduce stress. Slower exhales activate parts of the nervous system that induce a relaxation response. The proven success of this approach helps to explain why it’s part of the Treo resources that our members enjoy. 
Physical activity is a powerful antidote to feeling stressed out. By changing your brain chemistry, a single movement session can provide a refreshing mental break from ongoing stressors, boosting mood. While higher intensity workouts are great for gaining fitness, this reduction in perceived stress holds true even in lower-intensity movement sessions. Physical activity shifts the body out of the stress response afterwards.
Stress arises from diverse sources, from ongoing politics to interpersonal relationships and even in the workplace. To cater to a wide variety of members, we offer resources that help members use holistic approaches. From guided breathwork, progressive relaxation, mindfulness meditation, and movement options such as strength classes, Yoga or movement breaks, all our resources honor the personal preferences of our members. Importantly, they vary in length, so they can fit into any schedule.
Whether your team experiences the overwhelm of national events or simply wants more options for stress management, Treo can provide the practice options at your fingertips that support whole-person wellbeing. Interested in learning more? Let’s get in touch. Email Treo Wellness at info@treowellness.com or schedule a demo today!
As Treo’s Global Wellness Researcher, Karlie uses recent research findings to support healthier daily habits. Karlie earned her doctorate in Neuroscience and Behavior and bachelors in Health and Exercise Science.
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