Battling Political Fatigue
Two phone strategies that work for me
Has the news sucked the very life out of you? Do you find yourself scrolling on social media, desperate for any signs of radiant hope for the current state of our country, here in the United States? You may suffer from political fatigue! Like many of you, I feel the same way.
Since January, political information has inundated the United States. Every week, new executive orders soar from the oval office. US citizens who laud the actions of the commander-in-chief embrace the reshaping of the country. However, for those opposing this rapid fire of policies wake up every morning weighed down by anxiety. The stress of politics, coupled with our daily work schedules, forces us in a constant loop of fatigue. This has been my experience recently. Let me share two strategies that may help you cope with what is happening.
Social Media
First, try to limit your time on social media. Remember, developers created the app to keep you on it. Pumping your brain with dopamine to keep you wanting more. If you can program your phone to limit your time on social media, it will help stabilize your mental health.
- For iPhone users: Simply go to [setting] > [screen time] > [app limits]. From there you can custom which apps you want to limit yourself to and how long. Once you turn on the setting, you can enjoy social media and watch the limit cut you off (it will warn you when you have five minutes left).
- For Android users: You can find similar setting under the digital wellbeing and parental controls. I am including a link here for you: digital well-being.
Controlling screen time may help become more productive limiting your time on social media apps. Of course, you can always bypass the control setting, or even turn it off, but taking the time to do so requires extra steps. The brief second to contemplate may help you make a rational decision for your own mental health.
Limit your News Intake
Political junkies, like myself, continually bury our noses in the news. With the present regime in office, determining a reliable media outlet has become a problem. I would recommend turning to either international new outlets to gain an outside perspective on the events happening in our country, or research and find an independent outlet to sip in the news. Corporate media stations presently lean either right or left, depending on their funding. Similar to social media, limit yourself to a few articles and move on with your life.
How to Spark Joy
Ultimately, we muddle through joyless days because of the fatigue we have injected ourselves with. Reclaim your time and re-spark your joy. Put down your phone and revisit some of your old hobbies. I recently learned the design of information overflow is to keep people overwhelmed and tired. To push people to the point of apathy and stop us from resisting. We must not lose who we are and that which makes us happy. If you need to, take a break from politics (whether it is a day or a week), go hiking. Reconnect with nature. Hang out with friends and enjoy the moment together. Join a sports group and fill your dopamine with activities to re-energize yourself.
The United States continues to change every day with Trump 2.0. If you have read Project 2025, you are aware of the end goal. US citizens opposing the outcome must continue to stand up for our country and protect each other and the future of our children. One form of protest is self-care and stabilizing your mental health. Without a strong mind and physical body, we surrender to hopelessness. Let these suggests help you find balance in your life. Remember, you are not alone. There are millions of others standing alongside you.
Share in the comment any other suggestions you have, or tried, to keep your energy and spirits up.
About the Creator
Iris Harris
An aspiring novelist. I enjoy writing ghost, horror, and drama. Occassionally, I dabble with some essays. You can find more of my work with the link below:
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Comments (9)
I liked the content you wrote. Just like we subscribed to your channel, can you also subscribe to my channel?
Definitely read / watch international news outlets - makes you feel like you’re not going completely crazy. Another great article Iris.
I feel you on the political fatigue. It's been crazy lately with all the executive orders flying out of the oval office. I've been trying to limit my news intake, but it's tough when you're used to staying on top of things. I like the idea of setting limits on social media too. I'm an iPhone user, so I'll definitely check out that setting. It makes sense that the apps are designed to keep us hooked. We need to take control of our time and mental health. Do you think it's better to limit news intake by only checking it at certain times of the day, or just cutting back on the amount of news sources we follow? I'm curious to hear what works for others. Maybe we can all share some tips and find a better balance.
Great advice, news can often be depressing at the best of times. Personally, I tend not to follow politics on social media and very seldom comment because whatever you say, it will create a backlash and add to the noise. Congrats on the TS
This article is such a timely and compassionate piece—it acknowledges the very real emotional toll politics can take, without dismissing the importance of staying informed and engaged. I especially appreciated the balance you struck between awareness and wellness. Your practical tips for limiting social media and news intake are empowering without being preachy, and your reminder that self-care is a form of resistance is incredibly impactful. The personal tone makes it feel like a conversation with a thoughtful friend who's been in the trenches too. Thank you for writing something so grounded, empathetic, and actionable.
I am mentally and physically exhausted! Congratulations on your top story!
Nice
Iris, I'm not American and it worries me. I can't imagine what it must be like for you. There is hope, Iris. There is always hope. And there are always Irises. And Ricks. And Rachels.
Well written Iris. I am not one bit happy with what is going on in the U.S. right now. But, I am a rebel, and activist, and a protester. I will keep on until our voices are heard. I never tire of fighting for good, for equality, for sensible economics that favors not only the rich but also the middle class and poor. But you are right we do need to take care of ourselves both physical health and mental health. It’s imperative if we are going to move on in our daily lives. Thank you again for writing this excellent piece.