Political Chaos and Information Overload: 8 Ways to Stay Sane

At a time when it feels like there’s no escaping the political chaos, and information overload is crushing us from all angles, things start to feel really exhausting. The constant stream of headlines, crises, and polarized debates can leave you feeling angry, anxious, numb, or all three at once. In a recent survey from the American Psychological Association, 70% of adults cited the nation’s future as the source of significant stress. As civil rights activist Audre Lorde once wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Chaos has been a deliberate tactic employed by the Trump administration since the early days of his second term. The goal is to keep the American public over-stimulated, scared, and burnt out. So it’s precisely during times like these when radical self-care turns into a powerful, quiet form of rebellion. Here are 8 ways to protect your mental health and peace to stay grounded in the storm:

Practice Digital Detox and Mindful Media Consumption

The news is engineered to grab your attention, and often, your fear. Doomscrolling may feel like staying informed, but it can leave you overwhelmed and dysregulated. Instead, choose when and how you engage. Turn off push notifications, unfollow accounts that spike your anxiety, and carve out designated times to stay up to date with the issues that matter to you instead of spending hours on end doom-scrolling. You don’t have to read every headline to be informed, and you’re entitled to your peace.

Embrace Mindfulness and Meditation

When society feels as chaotic as it does, mindfulness can help you return to yourself. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or even mindful walking can help calm the nervous system and provide clarity when you need it most. You don’t have to go on a silent retreat; you just need a few minutes of stillness to breathe, ground yourself, and reconnect. These practices remind you: you’re not just what’s happening to you, you’re someone living through it.

Establish a Consistent Self-Care Routine

Self-care isn’t a reward for productivity or a weekend luxury. It’s a daily necessity, especially during chaotic times. Prioritize the basics: sleep, hydration, movement, and nourishment. These things are foundational to your resilience. When everything feels unpredictable, routines can anchor you and remind your body that you’re safe, helping with anxiety and stress. So, make sure your routines are healthy and serve your needs as best as possible. 

Set Boundaries with People and Information

You don’t have to engage in every debate. You don’t have to know every single thing Trump says or does. You don’t have to respond to every hot take. And you definitely don’t have to tolerate draining conversations that spiral into hopelessness or hostility. Protect your energy. Set limits on political talk, unfollow chaotic feeds, and say “no” when something doesn’t serve your well-being. Boundary-setting isn’t withdrawal or choosing ignorance, it’s a strategy that will keep your mind healthy to engage meaningfully. 

Engage in Creative Hobbies You Can Get Lost in

Your brain needs a break from the headlines from time to time, so it’s important to seek it. Whether it’s painting, cooking, reading fiction, or learning a new skill, hobbies that fully absorb your attention can provide a reset and make you feel capable. Creativity and play help metabolize stress, restore balance, and remind you that life is still full of beauty, even in hard times, so they’re incredibly helpful tools for coping and processing what’s happening around you. 

Reconnect with Your Core Values and True Purpose

In chaos, it’s easy to feel powerless. But grounding yourself in your values can make you feel an essential sense of direction. What matters most to you in this moment? Is it justice, kindness, truth, connection, or all of the above? Whatever your answer may be, find small ways to live those values. Volunteer, advocate, journal, engage with your community, or simply speak up on the issues you care about. You may not be able to fix everything, but you can act in alignment with what you believe and be a part of change in your inner circle, local community, or beyond. 

Lean on Your Support Network

You’re not supposed to carry all of this alone, and many are in the same boat with you. Leaning on your support network is key, so make sure you’re not self-isolating when things get overwhelming. Talk to friends, join community groups, volunteer at organizations you align with, organize events, etc. Mutual support, whatever form it may take, reminds us we’re not alone in our fear, anger, fatigue, or, more importantly, our desire to do something. And don’t reach out just when you’re overwhelmed! Maintain a regular connection with like-minded people to keep you grounded with consistency, not just when something big happens. 

Allow Yourself to Rest and Recover

You don’t have to earn rest with exhaustion. You don’t need a reason to take a break. Remember: rest is repair, and you need to be at the top of your game if you want to be a force for change at whatever level you’re capable of. Whether that’s turning off the news for a day, taking a nap, or spending a quiet night doing absolutely nothing, give yourself permission to pause. Rest makes resistance sustainable.