Following Saturday’s shooting at former President Trump’s rallySocial media has been flooded with content capturing violence and heated opinions about it.
“When we see violence in the real world in front of us or in the media, it can bring up a lot of anxiety, depression and all kinds of emotions,” said Dr. Sarah Simmons, director of Psychological Well-Being at Kaiser Permanente. “People can feel helpless, helpless and hopeless.”
If you’re feeling any of these emotions, Dr. Simmons says you’re not alone.
“We have this tendency to pay attention to what is happening around us for many hours a day. That is why it is important to reduce this tendency so as not to expose ourselves to traumatic events throughout the day,” he said.
Dr. Simmons stressed the importance of balancing information with protecting mental health. At a time when politics can feel polarizing, she says setting boundaries is key.
“It’s really important to stay in touch with family and friends. Even when people have different political views, consider creating some guidelines and some rules about what people can talk about when they’re together,” she said. “If people can’t follow them, be aware of that and don’t be afraid to walk away from that situation.”
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