From Elon Musk to Donald Trump: A Therapist’s Guide to Navigate Political Anxiety in 2025

No matter where you stand politically, there is an undeniable tension these days. Every day there seems to be another moment of outrage. This has left a lot of folks feeling uneasy, to say the least. Between Trump and Elon, there’s a lot going on. So, what do we do? As a therapist, my objective isn’t to influence anyone’s thinking. My hope is to help folks navigate their anxiety. Here are my therapist tips to handle political stress and anxiety.

Validate Your Feelings

It’s okay to be nervous. Uncertainty is unsettling. It is part of life. Its inevitability doesn’t make it easy. Don’t gaslight yourself. You’re allowed to feel fearful and anxious, even if others try to convince you that everything is “fine.” We have a new president and new administration who have enacted many, many changes in a short period of time.

Do a Media Detox

You’ll be shocked by how much your anxiety decreases just by avoiding the news. You don’t have to be out of the loop forever, but consider giving yourself a few weeks off. The media profits off of your anxiety. “Good” news is boring. It doesn’t draw clicks. They fear-monger to get viewers. So let’s be clear: we’re not being fed the objective truth the majority of the time.

Avoid Black & White Thinking

There are good guys and bad guys on both sides (Democrats & conservatives). And there is some bad in the best of us, and some good in the worst of us. Remember not to fall into all-or-nothing thinking and find the shades of gray. Objectively, most of us are actually somewhere in the middle. Sure, there are extremists on both sides (the folks the media loves to highlight), but generally speaking, most of us fall into a generally moderate group.

Remember: Worry is Not Power

Worry is not power. To borrow one of my favorite quotes: “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” It’s human nature to worry. But keep in mind: worry is rarely productive. Worry rests on the myth that we have the power to change outcomes if we ruminate on them.

A helpless Mindset is Contagious.

It will bleed into other areas of your life. You may find yourself feeling demotivated at work, less invested in your future, and so on. Honor your frustration by putting it in its rightful place. Don’t let them, or anyone, poison your mindset by convincing you to give up. You still have power and autonomy. Don’t give your power away. Focus on the things you can control and where you do have agency.

Politics & Protection

Political figures elicit one of the most powerful psychological forces: projection. Consider: what does Trump represent? What reaction does he elicit? Your reaction is useful information. For example: a tyrannical father, toxic men, the bullies at school. You may be confronting some of your own unfinished business. So politicis actually offers you an oportunity for growth.

Don’t Debate

Don’t engage in fighting. Now may not be the time to talk politics—especially with family. You don’t have to debate if it’s triggering—at least for now. Arguments on social media are rarely productive. Instead, you’ll likely work yourself up and find yourself feeling even more frustrated. Don’t try to break the spell. Engage with people who are open-minded and curious. Don’t waste your time if you hit a wall. Your protest can be living your best life. Not letting Trump, or any president, rob you of your joy. Don’t cut them off. If you need to take a break from family for this or any reason, you can go low-contact. But throwing away family over politics? You don’t want to start a war you can’t win.

Find Safety

In times of stress, the first step of trauma healing is always to seek safety. Seek community. Connect with folks who understand you and see your perspective. The most healing thing is to know you’re not alone. The truth is millions of folks share your beliefs and your feelings. So go where the love is. Again, avoid the split. Avoid the knee-jerk reaction to take an extreme position—unless that extreme position is congruent with your genuine belief systems. Get professional help—affirmative help. Work with therapists, coaches, etc., who understand gay men and can affirm your experience.

A Therapist’s Take on Political Anxiety

Again, if you’re looking to take a more activist approach, you absolutely can. All perspectives are welcome. I’m speaking to folks who are looking to find calm in the storm, rather than chase the storm. The most healing thing for all of us is to know we’re in this together. If you’d like to learn more my work, you can contact me for a complementary consultation.