Although you are you and I am me, I am willing to bet that there are things about the both of us that are the same. Feeling a bit anxious if you watch the evening news? Me too. Tired of all the nastiness in Washington, DC? Me too. Keeping a certain distance from some people or limiting time spent with them because every conversation is steered to disgruntled politics? Me too.
But, I’m also having conversations about various current things – political and non-political –with various people. We’re allowing each other to speak and trying to stick to the issues and not the personalities. I hope that is you, too. It is important that we interact with people who have a mix of different as well as similar views than our own. There are multiple benefits: temporarily shifting our point of view so that we might see something we had not seen before, practicing empathy so that we might understand another person’s concerns (valid or not), making our own selves slightly uncomfortable so that we might think critically upon reflection, helping that/those other person(s) reduce their own anxiety because he/she/they have a healthy experience with someone who is not aligned with their own preferences.
“Preferences.” That’s a funny word to use here. Mmmm, but it really is a fit. Ask a person of a differing opinion what s/he would like to see as an outcome and the odds are that you’re both mostly in agreement on that. Hmmm. Neither one of you is so bad, after all, eh? The difference comes from the preferences. You prefer path B. The person you’re talking to prefers path A. And that mutual friend prefers path C. Yet you’re all seeking the same destination.
So, why are we all anxious? I think we can agree it is politics and the media. They need to grab eyes. They know how to do it.
Living under a government or in a media environment that appears to be actively promoting discrimination, bigotry, and division can be deeply challenging, but there are ways to navigate and resist while maintaining your well-being and integrity. Here are some key strategies:
1. Protect Your Well-Being
- Stay Informed but Avoid Overload – Be aware of what’s happening, but don’t let negativity consume your mental health.
- Build a Support Network – Surround yourself with like-minded people who share your values and offer emotional and practical support. This doesn’t mean people who agree with everything you say. Go back to the first paragraph. Even people who disagree with you want the same things. (We’re not going to discuss exceptions right now.)
- Practice Self-Care – Stress and anger can be exhausting. Engage in activities that restore your energy (exercise, art, nature, etc.).
2. Strengthen Your Community
- Engage Locally – National policies may be harmful, but local communities often have more room for positive change. Support local leaders and organizations that promote inclusion.
- Create Safe Spaces – Whether it’s a small discussion group, an advocacy circle, or an online forum, safe spaces (like Democracy Is Us) can help people stay connected and resilient.
- Support Vulnerable Groups – If you are in a position to help, volunteer or donate to organizations that protect targeted communities.
3. Resist in Practical Ways
- Vote & Encourage Political Participation – Engage in elections at all levels. Even when national leadership is hostile, local and state-level action can be powerful.
- Use Economic Leverage – Avoid supporting businesses and institutions that align with discriminatory policies. Instead, support ethical companies and local businesses committed to inclusivity. On this one, there is one very important word: verify. Verify. Verify! Don’t take someone’s word or some online list’s word that a specific business is acting harmfully. Do your homework before deciding to avoid the business.
- Know Your Rights – If policies threaten freedoms, educate yourself on legal protections and advocacy organizations that can provide support.
4. Communicate Wisely
- Don’t Engage with Hate on Their Terms – Avoid unnecessary confrontations with those who thrive on division. Focus on constructive discussions and actions.
- Educate Through Action – Sometimes, showing empathy and living by example is more powerful than arguing.
- Use Art, Media, & Storytelling – Creativity can be a tool for resistance. Share stories, amplify marginalized voices, and counter false narratives.
5. Prepare for the Long Haul
- Understand Historical Patterns – Many oppressive governments have risen and fallen. Knowing history helps contextualize and strengthen resolve.
- Have Contingency Plans – If oppression escalates, consider legal options, relocation, or strategies for protecting yourself and your loved ones.
- Document & Preserve Truth – Authoritarian regimes often rewrite history. Keep records, share testimonies, and preserve facts.
It is critically important that we put our own physical, mental and emotional health at the top of our list of priorities. It is the only way that we can be present for ourselves and others, from a position of strength and vitality. It is very easy to worry about a multitude of issues, but that is an exercise in futility and anxiety. Instead, focus upon only that which directly impacts you and those you love, personally. For everything else, you can find sources that will keep you updated as needed. You don’t need to be on the front lines for those issues.
Finally, the most important thing you can do is: sleep. Rather than running the same things through your mind over and over again, begin a mindfulness practice to wind down your days and dovetail that with going to sleep for at least seven hours. If it takes you 20 minutes to fall asleep, then account for that and be in bed for 7-½ hours. Several mindfulness practices to choose from are: meditation, breath yoga, prayer, esoteric rituals, stretching. Following up with a comforting shower is a great way to cap off mindfulness (wash away the day) before sleep.
Don’t have time for a shower or prefer morning showers? The easy solution is to use a small bottle or container to which you’ve added a bath blend of salts, herbs, essential oils, etc. and have that steep for a day, then use it within the next three days before bed over your hands, arms and (if not sensitive – practice caution) face and let that gentle scent transport you to a calmer place than where you were prior to the mindfulness practice, which should have already relaxed you. You will find sources for such mixes at various sites online and perhaps in a brick and mortar store that focuses on health and beauty, or one that focuses on new age or esoteric practices, where the products might be categorized as sacred salts.
Too rushed for any of that? Try a cup of herbal tea. And if you don’t have time for tea, then it is time for reflection. Your best friend – the one who will always be there to take care of you – is the person looking back at you in the mirror. Treat that person – yourself – well.
By Joe Castagliola, Democracy Is Us Council Member
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