Today’s 50-minute session was at the office, and the client came in looking really tense. They jumped right in, saying how anxious they’ve been feeling about the upcoming election. They said quote 'I can’t stop thinking about it, and it’s making me physically sick' unquote. They talked about how every time they turn on the news or look at social media, it just ramps up their anxiety, but they can’t seem to stop checking because they feel like they need to stay informed. They said it’s even affecting their sleep—waking up in the middle of the night worrying about what’s going to happen.
We talked about how overwhelming the political climate can be, especially with all the uncertainty. I suggested setting some boundaries with media consumption, like limiting how much time they spend watching the news or scrolling through political content on social media. We also discussed focusing on things they can control, like getting involved with a local cause or just taking time for self-care. Their homework is to try cutting down on news and social media for the next few days and see if it helps reduce some of the anxiety. I also suggested they try to focus on activities that make them feel grounded, whether it’s exercise, meditation, or something creative. They seemed unsure at first, but by the end of the session, they said they’d try to limit their media intake and see how it goes. We’ll check back next session to see if it’s helping.