July 2025 - LynLake Centers for WellBeing

Archive for July, 2025

Coping with Political Anxiety and Burnout

In recent years, many people have found it increasingly difficult to stay on top of the political situation in our country without feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or even hopeless. Whether you stay up-to-date on current events, follow advocacy efforts, or simply find yourself getting pulled into conversations about politics practically every time you leave the house, it’s not uncommon to feel the immense weight of it all. 

At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we often work with individuals who care deeply about the world around them but are struggling to stay grounded in the face of so much ongoing tension and uncertainty. It can be challenging to focus on your job, maintain personal relationships, and be a responsible citizen – all while trying to preserve your sanity at the same time.

Recognizing the Signs of Political Stress

So how do you know whether your current relationship with politics is starting to take a toll? For some people, political stress shows up in the form of emotional exhaustion after reading the news or engaging in a political conversation. Others may feel rising anxiety as elections approach, or a tendency to withdraw entirely from social media and news coverage in an effort to avoid being confronted with the latest political development and the strong emotions that might come with it. Conversely, some people feel compelled to over-consume political news; for example, constantly refreshing the home page of your preferred news website or social media app, to see if there are any updates since you last checked it an hour ago.

Here are a few common indicators of political burnout:

When these patterns persist, it may be a signal that your nervous system is carrying more than it can comfortably hold.

Understanding Why It’s So Draining

Political anxiety is more than a reaction to current events—it’s often a reflection of how deeply those events intersect with our values, identities, and communities. If we feel like those aspects of our lives are under threat, we will become anxious. For some, the issues being discussed in the public sphere feel and are intensely personal. It can feel like an attack on our own livelihood – perhaps an attack on our very lives. Policies and political outcomes may touch on safety, justice, bodily autonomy, or belonging. That emotional charge, combined with the nonstop nature of modern media, can make it difficult to find a moment of real rest.

If you have friends, family, or coworkers whose views differ from your own, navigating those conversations may add another layer of stress. You may feel caught between staying connected and protecting your peace. Over time, this push and pull can leave you feeling depleted or emotionally distant.

Ways to Stay Engaged Without Losing Yourself

When caring starts to feel like a burden, it may be time to explore new ways of engaging that are more sustainable. You don’t have to completely disengage to protect your mental health, but it may help to rethink how, when, and where you show up.

  1. Start by setting boundaries that feel right for you

You may find it helpful to limit how often you check the news or scroll through political content. For example, some people benefit from checking in once or twice a day and turning off notifications outside of those times. It may also help to be clear with loved ones about your limits around political conversations. Letting others know when you’re not available for those discussions can create space for rest and repair.

2.Redirect your energy toward what feels meaningful

When the bigger picture feels overwhelming, consider focusing on smaller, concrete actions. You might choose to volunteer, write letters to representatives, or donate to causes that align with your values. Even simple acts of care within your own community can be powerful. Reframing your engagement in this way may help you reconnect with a sense of agency.

3. Be intentional with how you consume information

Pay attention to how different sources and formats affect your nervous system. If certain types of coverage or certain platforms leave you feeling heightened, unsettled, or even triggered, it’s okay to take a break or seek out information in more digestible forms. It may also help to set a buffer such as avoiding political content right before bed, to give your brain time to unwind. Keeping a journal can help you identify patterns if you are unsure of your triggers.

4. Rebuild routines that support emotional balance

Burnout doesn’t just show up in your thoughts, it often shows up in your body. Creating small daily rituals such as stretching, journaling, going for walks, or engaging in creative practices may help restore balance. Additionally, incorporating some “Tiny Little Joys”, like drinking a warm cup of coffee, or getting some much needed vitamin D from the sun, scattered throughout your day can make a big impact on your overall satisfaction of your day. Over time, these habits can provide a more stable foundation to return to when things feel chaotic externally.

5. Stay connected to those who understand your values

It may be helpful to connect with people who can hear your thoughts and feelings without debate or defensiveness. These conversations don’t have to be solutions-focused. Sometimes, simply feeling heard can be enough to soothe your system and remind you that you’re not alone in how you’re experiencing the world.

How Therapy Can Support You During Politically Charged Times

If political stress is starting to affect your wellbeing, whether through anxiety, tension in relationships, disrupted sleep, or a sense of helplessness, therapy may offer support. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we approach this work with care, cultural humility, and the understanding that these issues are complex and deeply personal.

Some of the ways therapy may support you include:

Therapy isn’t about telling you how to think or feel – it’s about helping you understand your internal responses so you can move through the world with more steadiness and intention.

You Don’t Have to Carry It All Alone

Political engagement shouldn’t have to come at the cost of your mental health. With the right support, it’s possible to stay informed and connected to what matters to you without getting emotionally hijacked by the 24/7 news cycle. 

If you’re finding it harder to cope with our political climate lately, we invite you to connect with one of our 200+ providers. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we’re here to help you navigate these challenges with care, curiosity, and the support you need to feel more grounded, no matter what’s happening in the world around you.

Emotional wellbeing is not separate from political life – it’s part of how we show up, sustain hope, and keep going.

Your Diagnosis Does Not Define You

Receiving a mental health diagnosis can stir up a wide range of emotions ranging from relief and validation, to confusion and fear. Whether it’s ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, OCD, or something else, a diagnosis can put a name to what you’ve been experiencing in your life. And while it can be reassuring to feel like there’s a “scientific” explanation for how you are feeling, a diagnosis is never the whole story of who you are.

Something else to keep in mind: Mental health and developmental diagnoses are constructs, categories we created in order to have a common language we can use to refer to groups of symptoms or traits that seem to show up together. The intention behind creating these categories was, and is, to help with research and figure out the most effective ways to treat these symptoms and reduce their impact on people’s lives. These diagnoses were not created to help us on our journey of self-discovery or self-acceptance. 

At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we believe a diagnosis can help you understand your experience of yourself and why you are struggling, but that it does not – and should not – define you.

What a Diagnosis Can Offer

Clarity and validation
When you’ve spent months or years feeling like something is off, a diagnosis can bring a powerful sense of validation, of finally being seen and understood. You now have language and an explanation for what’s been happening in your mind and body. That clarity can ease self-doubt and create space for self-compassion. You’re not lazy, broken, or imagining it: there’s a legit reason behind the patterns you’re observed in yourself, and it has a name. Armed with this new information, you may find that you drop your shoulders in relief, hold your head up a little higher, and maybe even start to look for people who experience life similarly to how you do.

A roadmap for support
A diagnosis can help guide next steps. It may point you toward treatment options that are better aligned with your needs (like therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or accommodations). Assuming your diagnosis is accurate, your medication management provider is better able to figure out which medications might provide you some relief from your symptoms. Your therapist can home in on the best treatment modalities for your diagnosis. Knowing your diagnosis can even point you in the direction of some good books to read or podcasts to listen to.   

Access to resources
In many cases, a formal diagnosis may open up access to school or workplace accommodations, services, or supportive communities you may not have known were even available. These tools can be crucial—not because you’re incapable of making it through life without them, but because everyone deserves access to resources that can help them thrive. From a more practical perspective, many of these services require a medical diagnosis (especially for insurance coverage), so sometimes it’s just necessary to get that diagnosis in order to access the care you need. 

What a Diagnosis Does Not Mean

It’s not your whole identity
Being autistic or having ADHD may shape how you move through the world. It may help you understand your needs, patterns, and sensitivities. But it doesn’t capture all that you are, nor does it speak to your personality, strengths, values or potential. 

It’s not a free pass to avoid accountability
Understanding that your brain works differently can be liberating, and can explain past behaviors or struggles. But it doesn’t give you permission to stop growing. Having ADHD or autism, for example, doesn’t excuse harm, unkindness, or disregard for others’ boundaries. Having a mental health or developmental diagnosis can be a lens for compassion, not a shield from responsibility. You can honor your needs and still show up in your life with care and respect. You just may need some additional guidance and assistance along the way. 

It’s not the end of the road
A diagnosis is not a life sentence, nor should you think of it as a pronouncement of what you can’t do or can never do. Many, if not most, people with mental health conditions and neurodevelopmental differences can live full, meaningful and successful lives with the right strategies and environments. Growth is always possible.

It’s not a reflection of your character
Receiving a diagnosis does not mean you’ve failed or done something wrong. Mental health and neurodivergence are part of the human experience, not moral flaws or weaknesses. At LynLake, we meet every client with compassion and deep respect for their story.

Embracing a More Nuanced Perspective

Recognize the strength it takes to get here
Asking for help, sitting through an assessment, or even entertaining the possibility that you might be neurodivergent or have a mental health condition takes real courage. Period. Receiving a diagnosis isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign you’ve been paying attention to yourself, and that you’re ready for things to feel different.

Use it as a tool, not a label
A diagnosis can give you a clearer picture of what’s going on. But it’s not the destination. Think of it as a starting point for deeper exploration. What does support look like for you? How can you build a life that works for your brain and body?

Stay grounded in your full self
Regardless of your diagnosis (or diagnoses), you can still have hobbies, values, dreams, and preferences. You are still someone’s partner, friend, sibling, or parent. These parts of your life matter just as much, if not more, than what’s written in your chart. A diagnosis can help you identify and address some of the obstacles in the way of you becoming the best version of yourself. 

Push back against stereotypes and simplifications
It’s easy to feel reduced by labels, especially when pop psychology or social media flatten mental health into soundbites. Your experience is not a meme. It’s layered, complex, and deeply human. You deserve care that honors that complexity.

Moving Forward, On Your Own Terms

If you’ve recently received a diagnosis, or if you’re still in the process of wondering whether one might apply to you – know this: you’re allowed to take your time. You’re allowed to be skeptical. You’re allowed to change your mind. And you’re allowed to keep becoming who you are, diagnosis and all.

You may want to:

Therapy and Mental Health Services in Minneapolis & St. Paul

At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we walk alongside people every day who are navigating new diagnoses and old patterns with honesty, courage, and care. We’re here to help you make sense of your experiences, and to remind you that support doesn’t require you to lose yourself in a label. Reach out to get connected with one of our 200+ mental health providers.

Remember: You are not your diagnosis. You are a whole, growing person with insight, strength, and the right to take up space exactly as you are.

How Tiny Daily Wins Can Help Shift the Grip of Depression

Why Small Wins Matter

There’s actually real science behind this small-step approach. Research shows that completing even a small task can trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. This boost contributes to feelings of satisfaction and can help jumpstart motivation. To use regular-person language, accomplishing a small step can give you the taste of success you need to keep going. 

These small moments of accomplishment may seem insignificant at first – answering one email, drinking a glass of water, folding a singular shirt – but they create evidence that you are capable of action. Over time, those actions can snowball into something more substantial. What starts as a single moment of effort can evolve into rhythm, resilience, and restored energy. In other words, it can help you get your groove back. 

How Tiny Steps Can Support Mental Health

Depression often warps our self-perception. You may find yourself thinking, “What’s the point?” or “I can’t follow through on anything.” But those thoughts are not facts. They’re symptoms. In fact, the insidious thing about depression is that it tries to talk you into doing all of the things that will make it worse (e.g., staying in bed, avoiding friends, not showing, etc), while attempting to talk you out of anything that might help you feel better (going for a walk, scheduling an appointment with your therapist, and so on). 

By choosing small, attainable goals like making the bed or journaling for five minutes, you begin to collect evidence against those distorted thoughts and beliefs. These actions help reestablish trust with yourself and make it easier to ignore the “voice” of depression. They offer proof that even on hard days, you’re capable of movement. Perfection is not necessary —just small acts of movement.

Think of it like strength training for your emotional muscles. You wouldn’t walk into a gym and expect to lift the heaviest weights on Day 1. You’d start with what your body can manage, and gradually, intentionally, increase your capacity.

Creating a System That Works for You

To make these small efforts stick, it helps to pair them with positive reinforcement. A reward doesn’t have to be expensive when you’re living with depression, everyday tasks can feel disproportionately difficult. What once felt routine (i.e. responding to a text, brushing your teeth, making a simple decision) may now feel heavy or unreachable. The idea of “turning things around” might seem overwhelming, or completely out of reach.

At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we often remind clients that healing doesn’t begin with sweeping life changes. In fact, baby steps offer a more sustainable approach: a single step, repeated gently and consistently, before taking the next one. Not everything needs to get better all at once. 

 or elaborate. In fact, the most effective ones are often simple and meaningful to you.

Here are a few examples:

These gestures may seem trivial, but repetition is key. The point is we are beginning to train our brains to associate action with a positive emotional response so that we are more likely to try again.

Real-Life Micro-Moments That Help

Here are a few examples of wins that might feel manageable, especially during low-energy periods:

These aren’t meant to be productivity goals. They’re reminders of your agency. When depression tells you you’re stuck, these moments help prove otherwise. You CAN accomplish things. You CAN be productive.

Even if you only do one thing today, that one thing is still something. And when done with care and intention, these micro-moments can accumulate into deeper shifts—more energy, more clarity, more momentum.

Building Something Sustainable

A single action may bring a spark of relief. But done consistently, these small acts begin to create patterns that change how you feel and function over time.

Micro-wins can:

At LynLake, we work with clients everyday to identify these personalized steps. We identify small goals that feel both realistic and supportive. The goal isn’t to push you. It’s to meet you exactly where you are, and walk with you from there.

Letting Go of All-or-Nothing Thinking

Healing isn’t about perfection or constant progress. It’s about learning to stay in a relationship with yourself—even on the hard days. Some days, the win might be putting on clean socks. Other days, it might be calling your therapist or making a meal. Both count.

And if you didn’t do anything today? That’s okay too. You’re not back at zero. You’re still here. Besides, it’s pretty common for people to feel a rebound of depression after they’ve experienced some wins. It’s almost like depression is noticing that you’ve started to ignore it and so it shouts a little louder in an attempt to stay “alive.” The important thing is to remind yourself that setbacks don’t have to mean anything about your ability to feel better. You can take your next step toward wellness tomorrow – with the same gentleness and care.