We’ve never bought into the idea that getting heated over political beliefs is necessarily a bad thing. After all, there are few aspects which tell you more about a person than their political standing. Do they value honesty, how do they understand reality, and how do they justify cognitive dissonance? All of these and more can be answers by brief conversations over a person’s democratic inclinations.

That said, there is also little doubt that politics can be frustrating, heartbreaking, and migraine-inducing, even at the best of times. While we would never suggest ever abandoning belief in democracy or working towards a better tomorrow, we would absolutely recommend taking some time off every now then, for better mental and physical health.

Stepping Back

A constant problem that we face today is that of over-connectedness. Where formerly we used to have to wait to get news, spending time going about our regular life as we dealt with the difficulties it threw at us, today we have no such time off. The ubiquity of mobile phones and the ease of access to the internet means that the worst aspects of politics are in our face all the time, never giving us a chance to recharge our biological batteries.

One of the most successful ways we’ve seen this work is by deleting or at least turning off social media. Push notifications may be useful, but they also push us ever-closer to the edge of sanity. Consider making a plan now and then to take a few days or a week away from the digital. Go back to the analogue as much as possible, and your stress levels will thank you for it.

Betting on a Different Approach

Aiding in this method is a more directly cognitive approach of viewing politics through a different lens. This is not exactly a simple task, but it can be achieved through consistent effort and a sense of humour. Rather than feel every hit, consider the ludicrousness of the system, and work to satirise it as best you can.

One such way to do this is to approach some aspects of it as a sport. For example, just like with any sport, you can now bet on the odds of the next US President. Regardless of who you believe should win, you can still show your lack of belief by betting on who you think will win, and this is just one example.

It might be difficult, but detaching oneself to such a degree when possible can make this world easier. Who knows, your faith or lack thereof might even end up making you some real money.

Drawing a Line

There are times where battle lines need to be drawn, this is indisputable. It is also true, however, that we can get caught up in the whirlwind and lose our way. You’re no use to anyone if you burn out, so consider what we’ve written today. Take some steps back now and then, laugh when you can, and see what you bet will happen rather than what you think should happen. Taken together, all of these aspects can help build a healthier and more productive political you.