Impact of Socio-Political Unrest on Mental Health
Have you been feeling anxious amidst the current socio-political unrest?
You are not alone. In my psychotherapy practice, many people in the last few weeks have opened up about how anxious and overwhelmed they are feeling with the country’s socio-political scenario.
Socio-Political unrest can be challenging and distressing, no matter what your stance and where on the spectrum your beliefs are. I notice that the unrest outside combines with our own internal fears, and can become really magnified.
Social Media addiction and sleeplessness
There are many clients who have spoken about not being able to sleep well since they are constantly consuming information regarding the latest developments. In the age of social media, every second one could be reading, watching or somehow consuming new information.
The algorithms of social media work in a way that they ensure you get to see what you want to see. It is a great way of feeling validated, something that tells you that ‘what you are thinking is right’, and gives you a hit of the hormone Dopamine every time you feel that way. It becomes as addictive pattern therefore, since dopamine is the ‘feel good’ hormone – but it is actually impacting your well being negatively in more ways than one. It can lead to you not being able to concentrate, not being able to sleep well, feel constantly worried, feel over stimulated, and constantly being on social media.
It’s a vicious cycle. We look at social media for validation, to confirm our beliefs when we are feeling stressed in order to momentarily feel better, but it leads to a further increase in that stress.
Overwhelm and Anxiety
Besides impacting sleep and addiction to social media, overwhelm amidst socio-political unrest can also involve:
- Helplessness
- Rage
- Increased Anxiety
- Headaches
- Inability to concentrate – at work or otherwise
- Increased relationship conflicts, especially with those with a different opinion
- Activist guilt
Activist guilt
Let me briefly explain what activist guilt means. No matter what or how much you are doing, it is a guilt that constantly tells you that what you are doing is never enough and that you should be doing more. This guilt is driving people to be engaged on social media constantly, consuming more and more information since it adds to a feeling of ‘doing’ something or engaging in something every waking hour of their lives. In reality, this information overload and constant consumption creates more stress and overwhelm since it leads to the vicious cycle explained under the social media addiction subheading above.
It’s important to protect your community and country, but it is also important to protect yourself from exhaustion and breakdown. When you help yourself and feel mentally as well as physically healthy, you will be able to help the community better. Activist guilt is real, and reminders of self care become even more important therefore.
Self care in a Socio politically charged time
What could you do to help yourself if you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed amidst socio-political unrest? Here are some things that could help.
- Take digital breaks. Staying informed is not equal to consuming information every minute.
- Disengage from social media and political news at least an hour before sleeping. It impacts sleep terribly.
- Be gentle with yourself if on some days you feel like disconnecting and disengaging.
- Acknowledge and accept your feelings around this, even if they are mixed.
- Engage in small acts of kindness. See if you can do little things in line with the beliefs you hold, as opposed to engaging too much only on social media.
- Take time out for your hobbies, go take a walk, get a massage, do anything that helps you feel a bit relaxed.
- Take pauses and rest. Help your body relax.
- Process your thoughts and feelings around this in a safe space. Find your tribe, people who can listen with compassion.
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