By Bill Hull, Director of Marketing, Atherton
Wow! Have things changed? Not that long ago, the meaning of the phrase “to speak politically” meant to put things in a way that would offend the least number of people. Nowadays we are bombarded by strident, divisive political voices everywhere. No matter which side you take in these political notions, we can all agree that the stress level of the country has risen, due in no small measure to the politics of our time. Seniors typically don’t stress out as much as younger folks. Perhaps their life experiences allow them the space to accept the stoicism of Mark Twain when he said, “I’m an old man and I’ve had many troubles, most of which never happened.” But research is reporting that this topic is particularly stressful for older Americans. In a recent Harris poll, close to 6 out of 10 people over 71-years-old said they were stressed by the last Presidential election. In February 2017, an annual survey by the American Psychological Association found that 57 percent of Americans — Democrats and Republicans alike — said they considered the nation’s political climate a significant source of stress. ” The reasons for this rise in our collective stress level vary widely; but the dangers to our health are real. Seniors who are stressed about the political climate complain about trouble sleeping, stomachaches, migraines, and jaw pain.
So what can seniors do to protect themselves from the effects of too much political stress? There are as many suggestions as there are experts; but we can group this advice around 5 positive ideas remembered easily with the word C-H-I-L-L.
C: Create “Political-free Zones”
Take an active approach in managing your stress. Avoid discussions about politics if you think they have the potential to escalate to conflict. Politics is dominating nearly everything we hear and see, so there must be times, events, and circumstances where political subjects are out of bounds. In previous eras, this was understood. The unsaid rules of civility, decorum and etiquette eliminated the need to create these boundaries. Now, however, it’s wise to be proactive in establishing boundaries for political discussions. Maybe that means shutting off your news feed in the evening or giving yourself permission to call for a change in the subject. Stay connected but not obsessed. This can be hard to do when the causes are important to us. Engaging in soothing activities, such as meditation, prayer, or relaxation exercises can help you lower the stress level.
H: Highlight the Positives
Hyped-up hypotheticals abound in our current political climate. Stress and anxiety about what might happen is useless. Think about positive, practical ways to make a difference in issues you care about. Consider volunteering in your community, advocating for an issue you support or joining a local group. If you look for them, there are many places where you can have a big and welcomed impact. Those relationships around a shared cause will do a lot to mitigate the stress. Focus on your own personal values, and not just those that are espoused or implied in the media. Use your own convictions to guide your thoughts and behaviors. Look for ways to improve today for yourself, your family, your friends, and neighbors. That’s what being a good citizen is all about and that keeps the focus away from all that we don’t control.
I: Identify your HOT BUTTONS
How much time you spend reading, listening, watching, and engaging in political rhetoric? Are you watching the news all day long? Or scouring the internet for every breaking story? For most of us, spending more than a couple hours a day immersed in politics can seriously alter your perspective on life. Stop and pay attention to how and when you’re engaging in politics. Analyzing your habits can help you pinpoint your primary source of stress and develop a plan to ease it.Anger and fear are the most common emotions that we encounter when dealing with political debate. People may feel anger over what is broken in our government, a policy or program that turned out to be a negative experience, or what they believe needs to be fixed. Anger and fear are negative emotions. Letting go of political stress is similar to how positive people handle any kind of stress: they choose optimism. We all can choose how to respond in a stressful environment and how we will communicate to others. You don’t have to let others make you crazy.
L: Limit the Loud Voices
Consider how much news you take in and how that information is affecting you. Though it can be hard to turn down the volume, it’s healthy ― vital, even ―to take breaks from being plugged into the constant cacophony. We live in a 24-hour news cycle where every moment brings a new spin, opinion, tweet, or quote. Each change is heralded as a late breaking emergency. That’s why it’s important to control your media consumption. Read or watch enough to stay informed. Then take some time for yourself, go for a walk, or spend time with friends and family doing things that you enjoy, without talking politics. Be sure to get your information from multiple outlets. Switch up your current routine: tune in to a different news channel occasionally, read multiple publications, and don’t believe everything on the internet or anywhere else.Responding to a Facebook post or tweet does little good, other than to vent your feelings; and it can lead to nasty, anonymous arguments that are fueled by misinformation and name calling. If you want to share an article or give a comment, be sure that it contributes to the causes that matter to you; and don’t get snagged by the haters.
L: Look for Common Ground
In the words of Albert Einstein: “everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don’t.” We meet people every day whose beliefs differ from our own. At the same time, we are all much more alike than we are different. When political differences arise, try to identify commonalities within your different views. Listen with an open mind to the other person’s story. You can validate their feelings without agreeing with their conclusions. This is the lost art of civil discourse. Make a vow to yourself to pursue this even if others do not. It’s fine to be passionate about your beliefs, but if you find it difficult to discuss political issues without anger, name-calling, or judgement, then it may be best to disengage from the conversation. Keep reminding yourself that our country is the greatest in history and our American spirit can get us all past the daily drama if we look for all that binds us together. One thing we all surely share: We all feel the stress of these days; so let’s help one another CHILL.
Recent Comments