Politics in 2026 can feel, for lack of a better term, hard. Talking about it, hearing about it, reading about it — it all feels exhausting. Between the polarization of our climate and the stress that comes with things like the economy, war, and gas prices, Americans are suffering from mental health effects and strained relationships. I know it’s uncomfortable, but it’s time to talk about that stress and strain and discuss ways to deal with them.
Assessing the Issue
As we have grown up and our country has changed, we have dealt with an increase in political issues. First, our political parties have become deeply divided, leading to strain among those with differing ideologies, including friends, families, and coworkers. A 2024 survey conducted by the APA found that “around a third of adults (32%) reported the political climate has caused strain between them and their family members.”
Furthermore, Americans are tuning out political news due to the emotional toll it takes. A 2026 Pew Research Center Report titled “Americans’ Complicated Relationship With News” found that “about half of Americans (52%) say they are worn out by the amount of news there is these days.”
All of this has caused anger, stress, and sadness to build up, especially among younger populations. The Youth Mental Health Tracker’s “Politics & Youth Mental Health Report,” conducted among young adults ages 13-24, found that “over 60% report worrying about U.S. politics, including more than half of 13–14-year-olds.” As for adults, the 2024 APA survey found that “more than 7 in 10 adults reported the future of our nation (77%) as a significant source of stress in their lives.”
This data is alarming and directly shows the impact that our political climate is having on all Americans, specifically young adults like us. Whether you suffer from this type of political stress or have related issues, such as struggling to talk about politics with those you love, let’s talk about a few ways to navigate them.
intaking political news in a healthy way
One of the main contributors to political stress is the amount of news that we intake, especially through social media. For those of us who are tapped into the political sphere, we tend to curate our social media feeds to produce content that we want to see. This often includes content that will make us upset or stressed — war-torn families, infographics about new legislation, the list goes on and on.
The problem is that this content stresses us out and doesn’t necessarily make us more informed. As an article from The Conversation (a nonprofit news organization) explains, “content that causes outrage, fear, moral condemnation and conflict is simply more likely to keep users scrolling, clicking, commenting and sharing.” Thus, it’s not surprising that our feeds are fueling our fire.
The solution? Well, I would not recommend cutting off all political content from your apps. However, I would suggest finding a mindful way to consume your news that works for your lifestyle. This may look different for everyone, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Find an independent or unbiased news source — this helps you intake the facts, not the emotions
- Choose a method that works around your lifestyle — if you are always on the go, try a podcast
- Limit your intake — choose one source to listen, watch, or read for 15 minutes a day instead of scrolling
Personally, I listen to the “Up First By NPR” podcast from NPR, which gives you a daily news rundown in just ~13 minutes. It gives me enough context to stay informed without overwhelming me with too much information or partisan perspectives. I highly recommend that everyone find a way to get their daily dose of news without being bombarded with the stressful content we are used to ingesting.
Learning How to Have Civil Conversations
The stress of the news goes beyond our own emotions — they also impact our relationships. As mentioned before, the increasing polarization of our American politics has made it harder to have political conversations with those we care about. This strain causes stress for families, friends, and coworkers who disagree with one another or are scared to share how they feel about current events.
The key to navigating relationship-related stress is learning to have civil conversations with your peers. To do this, you first have to be open-minded. Be willing to consider other people’s opinions instead of shutting them down, which contributes to the issue. Instead, offer an educated rebuttal backed up by facts instead of emotional appeals.
Furthermore, you have to be willing to find common ground. We don’t often agree on everything, and that’s okay. Instead of focusing on what differences you have, it is more constructive to identify what you do agree on and work from there. Noticing your common opinions may help you create a more open conversation.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that your relationship comes first. It may be difficult, but try not to jeopardize a friendship over a difference of opinion if it isn’t fundamental. However, if the relationship feels irreparable, consider seeking professional advice.
Finding What Works For You
All in all, it is best for you to figure out what method of navigating your political stress works for you. The most important part is to identify what it is that is adding to your stress and finding a way to adjust it for your wellbeing. Whether it’s lessening time on social media, or talking through it with a friend, make sure you find out what works for you.
If you still find yourself feeling stressed, lost, or upset, one good way to feel better is to take action that makes you remember your political importance. Calling your representatives or senators is a great way to make your voice heard and potentially reduce your stress by making an impact. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, check out this list of “70 Ways to Make a Difference: Your Guide to Civic Action.”