Stress in red pencil

Sharing – Unsettled: Why America is Emotionally Unwell

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

Lisa shares some advice on dealing with “everything,” but maybe this is the one thing I would like us all to remember:

Q: Is it “normal” to feel this scared about politics? A: Yes. When policies threaten your healthcare, rights, or community stability, your brain’s “threat detection system” (the amygdala) is doing its job. This is a rational response to an unstable environment.

https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/unsettled-why-america-is-emotionally-unwell/

We evolved to react to danger. It’s the instinct that kept us alive when we needed to be on the lookout for wild animal attacks, natural disasters, and dangerous places. US society is one of those dangerous places for many people right now. To quote from an old, frankly poor, joke:

It’s not paranoia if someone really is out to get you.

Our natural stress and anxiety about the state of our country and our individual futures is not a disorder. It’s our nervous system detecting a clear danger and responding.

The question isn’t always about how to be more resilient; sometimes it’s about how to make it less dangerous for everyone.

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