The present political
climate in America has caused you some excess anxiety or tension if you’re like most humans. Thus, recent research
shows that the majority of Americans are stressed
about the future of the nation and even relationships with loved ones
are feeling
the strain.
Apparently, Michelle
Obama offers some guidance on how to deal with it all; and
her advice is pretty spot on.
The former first lady spoke at the Bushnell Center for the Performing
Arts in Hartford, Connecticut, this week, where she offered some suggestions on
how to survive chaotic times, the Hartford Courant reports. “Focus on what you can control,’’ Obama advised the
audience. “Be a good person every day. Vote. Read. Treat one another kindly.
Follow the law. Don’t tweet nasty stuff.”
Pretty sage wisdom, right? But does it actually work? Alright! With an examination of stress research and on a chat by HuffPost with a mental health expert about
Obama’s tips, below is a breakdown on their effectiveness when it comes to
dealing with tough times:
“Focus on what you can
control.”
Current events can feel incredibly overwhelming, according to Dan
Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education and chair of the
American Psychotherapy Association. Looking at everything that is out of
your hands can cause anxiety.
Focusing on what you can do helps, Reidenberg told HuffPost. That
includes limiting your exposure to the news cycle and participating in
activities that bring you joy.
Filtering out the unhappy, angry, chaotic, stressful, dark headlines and
maintaining a healthy balance between the challenges and the good things “will
allow you to feel in control of your life rather than feeling life are
controlling you,” he said.
“Be a good person every
day.”
This has long been go-to advice when it comes to improving mental health.
It applies to how you deal with yourself as well as how you behave toward
others.
Being good to yourself and to others “will increase your self-worth,
self-esteem, self-confidence and your sense of pride,” Reidenberg said.
“Vote.”
Therapists say their clients are reporting feeling helpless more often since the election. An
antidote to that? Taking action. Voting in elections and getting involved on issues
that are important to you are tangible
ways to ease politically related stress, according to the American
Psychological Association.
“Read.”
Reading about what’s going on in the world and staying updated can help
you feel in touch. It’s a method even some experts use to ease their own stress
over politics.
“My
personal approach is to stay immersed in the news cycle, hoping for some
shred of encouragement or at least consolation from hearing my views shared by
others,” Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor of psychological and brain
sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, previously told HuffPost.
But if following the news is causing you to feel uneasy, other kinds of
reading can help with that. A study published in 2009 found that getting lost
in a good book can
be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, sometimes even better
than listening to music or enjoying a cup of tea.
“Treat one another
kindly.”
Research shows that being kind to another person not only improves that
person’s mood; it can boost your happiness levels too. Looking for ways to
spread a little kindness? Try
one of these.
“Follow the law.”
This one seems pretty obvious, no? Laws are needed for a well-functioning
society. But Reidenberg said it’s worth keeping in mind for your mental health
as well. Having a set of rules to follow can help enhance your feelings of
control.
“Don’t tweet nasty
stuff.”
This is perhaps one of the most vital rules to follow today.
“Sharing of negative thoughts and feelings isn’t helpful to anyone,”
Reidenberg said. “By speaking poorly of others you aren’t helping anyone, and
you are contributing to the angst so many people are feeling right now. And
when there is a lot of this coming from every direction, the ugliness can
contribute to anxiety and stress.”
Obama also added one final piece of wisdom, which she said is worth
heeding no matter who is president.
“The impact of all of us in our everyday lives is greater than anything ... that can come from the White House,” she
said.
No comments:
Post a Comment