In the past several weeks since the 2024 presidential election, I’ve felt myself as well as held space for feelings of frustration, division, anger, and worries about safety, rights, and personal freedoms. These issues can create a perfect storm of anxiety, grief, and fear. I’ve noticed myself moving from hopeful, to numb, to powerless especially when it seems like the problems are so big and out of our control. And then there’s confidence in our ability to make a better future peeking through as I engage with my community. It’s an interesting time to be a therapist.

Living with anxiety often comes with the constant fear or worry of having to confront unwanted flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, or overwhelming emotions that can lead to crippling panic attacks. In times like this, practicing grounding techniques can help you find your center and live in the moment. Click for 8 different techniques to manage anxiety.

Have you been told that you’re “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “too easily overwhelmed?” Do you regularly find yourself feeling misunderstood? I know I have! Many of us don’t understand that fifteen to twenty percent of humans actually have different neurobiology and sensory processing capabilities that make us feel more.

In general, people tend to struggle with uncertainty and the unknown. We avoid the unknown with schedules and routines, which can help create a feeling of emotional safety…When the routine falls away, and time is unscheduled and vast, it’s easy for the space of uncertainty to dredge up deep feelings—both old ones and new.