Moving Through Post-Election Stress and Uncertainty: Finding Resilience in Anxiety Therapy in Oakland
In these uncertain times, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even lost. While all of your feelings are valid, they don’t have to define your reality. As an anxiety therapist in Oakland, I’ve witnessed how deeply the stress, grief, and fear have impacted many of us, especially those who feel directly threatened by an increasingly divisive and hostile political climate. But even amidst these difficult emotions, it’s important to remember that we are incredibly resilient. The strategies and insights I’ve shared here are meant to help you process your feelings, stay grounded, and regain a sense of control over your mental and emotional well-being.
If you find that your emotional health is significantly affecting your daily life or that the strategies we’ve discussed don’t seem to ease the weight you’re carrying, I encourage you to reach out to a therapist. A professional counselor, psychologist or therapist in Oakland can provide you with tailored tools and support to navigate these challenging times.
Navigating Political Conversations with Family and Friends: Tips from an Anxiety Therapist in Oakland
In times of political tension, navigating conversations with family and friends can be especially challenging. It’s easy for a simple disagreement to spiral into a heated exchange, but it’s important to protect your mental health while still engaging with loved ones. One of the most effective strategies is to set thoughtful boundaries around political conversations. Let people know when you need a break from a conversation, or or when you prefer not to discuss certain topics. If you find yourself getting triggered or emotionally overwhelmed, it’s okay to step away, pause, breathe and come back to the conversation later when you’re feeling more grounded, or even let it go completely.
Anxiety Therapist in Oakland's Tips on Preventing Discussions from Escalating During Stressful Times"
Be aware of your emotional triggers.
Before diving into any political debate, checking in with yourself is essential. Are you already feeling drained, frustrated, or anxious? If so, it might be better to put a pause on the conversation until you’re in a place where you can engage with more clarity and less emotional charge. This is an important step in de-escalating and preserving your emotional health.
Remember that we are all more than our political beliefs.
In times of such polarization, it's even more crucial to remember that someone’s political views are just one part of who they are and not their entire identity. It’s easy to get caught in a mindset where we define people solely by their political stance, but that only deepens the divide. You may have strong disagreements on issues like abortion or climate change, but that doesn’t negate the fact that this person is still your family member, your friend, your neighbor, a human being. This is why it’s so important to remind yourself of your shared humanity.
Stay connected when you can.
With polarization and divisiveness at an all-time high, holding on to family and friend connections is vital. However, it's important to assess whether it's safe to engage and if preserving certain relationships is valuable to you. Isolation and loneliness are dangerous to our mental health, so keeping those bonds intact—by respecting differences while focusing on what unites us—can be healing and essential to maintaining your mental well-being.
Get curious
It can be really hard to do this, but if you are able to tap into curiosity about where someone you disagree with may be coming from, you may even discover that you share similar concerns or values with the "other." In the heat of political discourse, it's almost impossible to imagine that someone who sees the world so differently could have similar hopes, fears, and struggles. But approaching these conversations with a stance of curiosity opens up the possibility for connection in surprising ways. Staying open to that possibility can create a space for empathy, reduce the emotional charge, and bring us back to the center where it’s okay to disagree without villainizing one another. I get this might feel extremely difficult to do, but seeking understanding can help shed light on what may feel very difficult to understand.
Why Self-Care Is Essential: An Anxiety Therapist in Oakland’s Perspective
During stressful times, especially after emotionally charged events like an election, it’s crucial to nurture your physical and emotional health. Self-care isn’t just about treating yourself to a bubble bath or a nice cup of tea (though those things are nice and can help). Self-care supports your well-being by giving you the space and tools to reset, so you can show up as your best self in the face of stress and uncertainty. It’s about building resilience, giving yourself permission to take a step back when needed, and replenishing the energy that political and social upheaval can deplete. By intentionally carving out time for self-care, you’re putting your mental health first—giving you the strength to cope with the ups and downs that follow major political events.
To help reduce election-related anxiety and stress, try incorporating these creative, accessible self-care practices into your routine:
Create Art or DIY Projects – Even if you don’t identify as an artist, engaging in creative activities like drawing, painting, or crafting can be deeply soothing. It lets you express your emotions without words and helps you get out of your head.
Cook or Bake Comfort Foods – Cooking can be meditative and rewarding, and making your favorite comfort food or trying out a new recipe can help you reconnect with a sense of joy and nourishment.
Dance It Out – Put on your favorite playlist and let loose! Whether it’s an impromptu dance party in your living room or a solo dance session, moving your body can release pent-up stress and lift your mood.
Tend to Plants or Gardening – Caring for plants, whether it's a small indoor garden or a few potted plants, can be therapeutic. Watching something grow with care can give you a sense of accomplishment and calm.
Read Fiction or Escape into a Story – Sometimes, the best way to cope is to escape. Reading a novel or listening to an audiobook can help transport your mind and provide a much-needed mental break.
Watch Comforting TV Shows or Movies – Find a TV show or movie that gives you a sense of nostalgia or comfort. Sometimes, a lighthearted comedy or favorite childhood film is just what you need to reset emotionally.
Prioritize Laughter. Laughter is a powerful tool for reducing stress. Watch comedies or find stand-up comedy specials that make you laugh out loud. Sometimes a good laugh is the best medicine.
Unplug and Take a Tech Detox – Schedule some time every week where you completely unplug from all screens—no social media, no emails, just a break to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
Get Lost in a Puzzle or Word Game – Engaging in a puzzle or word game can be a great way to take your mind off election stress. The focused concentration required helps to break the cycle of anxious thinking and promotes a sense of accomplishment, providing both cognitive stimulation and emotional relief.
Take a Sensory Bath or Immerse Yourself in Water – Find a pool or beach where you can swim or reinvigorate in cold water, immerse yourself in warm water or do both! Make your bath special by adding essential oils, calming music, and perhaps a book or journal.
Snuggle with Your Pets or Spend Time with Animals – Curling up with your pet or simply spending time with animals can reduce stress and boost your mood as you well know if you have pets in your life! Petting or being close to animals releases oxytocin, helping you feel calm and supported. If you don’t have a pet, make friends with a neighbor or visit a friend who has animals for some quality time.
What would work for you? Make a list of self-care ideas that are easily accessible to you and don’t require much planning ahead of time and post it somewhere like your fridge to have on hand when you are feeling your anxiety rising. You’ll notice some of the above suggestions are small but can be very restorative and self-care practices can help you find your way back to emotional equilibrium during difficult times.
The Pillars of Health: Nurturing Your Body, Mind, and Spirit in Anxiety Therapy in Oakland
Taking care of yourself means looking at the whole picture—physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual nourishment. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, these pillars of health can support you in ways that extend beyond just “feeling good”—they can help you feel whole again. By maintaining a balance between food, exercise, sleep, and spirituality, you’re laying the foundation for resilience and emotional strength. Each pillar feeds into the others, creating a holistic approach to healing that allows you to manage stress and maintain your sense of self.
Nourish Your Body with Food – Eating well can directly impact how you feel emotionally. Consider cooking meals that nourish both your body and your soul, like a warm bowl of soup or a comforting salad. When we eat foods that support our energy levels and overall health, we also support our mood. Prioritize meals rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins that fuel your body with nutrients. Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas, and allow yourself to enjoy food without guilt.
Exercise as a Stress Reliever – Physical activity doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym for hours on end. It can be as simple as going for a walk in nature, doing yoga at home, or dancing to your favorite playlist. Exercise increases endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators, and helps you process stress and tension. Regular movement keeps your body energized and helps release negative emotions in a productive way. It also helps you sleep better.
The Power of Sleep – Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. In times of stress, we often sacrifice rest, but sleep is the foundation of mental clarity and emotional stability. A consistent sleep schedule is key. If you’re struggling with sleep due to anxiety, create a calming bedtime routine—dim the lights, avoid screens, and consider reading or journaling to quiet your mind before sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Nurture Your Spirit – Whether you find peace through religion, spirituality, or connecting with nature, nurturing your spirit is essential during turbulent times and helps you reconnect with what truly matters to you. Taking moments to reflect, practice gratitude, or meditate can help you tap into a sense of calm and connection that transcends the day-to-day stress. If you don’t have a regular spiritual practice, simply spending time in nature or finding quiet moments for contemplation can help restore your sense of peace. And, engaging in meaningful work or activities that align with your values can be a powerful way to feel connected to something bigger than yourself, providing you with the stability and grounding you need to navigate stressful times.
By focusing on these four pillars—food, exercise, sleep, and spirituality—you’ll build a more balanced, resilient foundation that supports both your mental and physical well-being. When you nourish yourself in these ways, you strengthen your ability to cope with stress, remain centered, and stay grounded, no matter what comes your way.
Find Your Resilience with Anxiety Therapy in Oakland
If you are feeling overwhelmed by election stress and struggling to manage your emotions, anxiety therapy in Oakland can help you find your resilience. Reach out today to gain support and tools to navigate the emotional challenges of this season with greater ease and balance."
If you are feeling weighed down by post-election stress and uncertainty, you don’t have to face it alone. As an experienced anxiety therapist in Oakland, I offer personalized support and can help you with strategies to regain your resilience, find emotional balance, and navigate these challenging times with greater ease. Contact me for a free 15 minute consultation to lift the weight of your anxiety and restore your equilibrium.
Author Bio:
Lara Clayman is an anxiety therapist in Oakland who specializes in working with anxiety, counseling multiracial and second-generation adults and trauma.
Contact her for a free 15-minute consultation to find relief from the grip of anxiety and begin to feel like yourself again.
Anxiety Therapist Oakland
