Clinical Corner Blog

October 3, 2025 Powerful Ways to Combat Sociopolitical Distress

As a clinical psychologist, one of the most common themes I hear from people today is the sense of powerlessness and overwhelm in the face of sociopolitical upheaval. Uncertainty often breeds anxiety because our minds crave predictability, and when the social, cultural, or political landscape feels unstable, it can rattle even the most resilient among us. Learning to tolerate uncertainty is not only a psychological skill but also an act of self-preservation and empowerment during times of distress.

One of the first steps is acknowledging that distress in uncertain times is normal. Rather than judging feelings of fear, anger, or hopelessness, it is more helpful to view them as natural responses to instability. Naming emotions can diminish their intensity. Simply saying “I feel anxious about the future” or “I feel rage when I hear the news” externalizes the experience and makes it easier to manage.

A powerful way to combat distress is through creating personal rituals of stability.
When the political world feels chaotic, cultivating daily practices—whether brewing tea slowly, journaling, or walking the same trail—signals safety to the nervous system. Humans are wired for rhythm, so even simple repetitions give the psyche a sense of continuity in uncertain times.

Grounding activities are also essential.
Unchecked exposure to media can amplify feelings of doom. Consider limiting media consumption through scheduled “news windows” instead of constant scrolling. Balance information intake with mindful moments like deep breathing, body scans, or sensory grounding. For example, physically holding a stone, candle, or beadwork item and focusing on its texture can restore calm by anchoring you to the present.

Creativity becomes another powerful tool in times of distress.
Expressing uncertainty through art, music, dance, or storytelling transforms emotions that feel unbearable into something tangible. Even imaginative practices such as writing letters to your future self, composing poems that put distress into metaphor, or painting colors that capture how current events feel in your body help shift turmoil into expression. For those connected to cultural or indigenous traditions, reconnecting with ancestral practices—drumming, singing, ceremonial crafts—can bolster resilience by reminding us of continuity across generations.

Another important skill is reframing uncertainty as possibility.
While the unknown is frightening, it is also a space where change and growth occur. Training the mind to say, “uncertainty is the place where hope can live” allows distress to coexist with potential. Creating a list of what is within your control—such as reaching out to a neighbor, volunteering, or writing to representatives—generates a sense of empowerment, redirecting energy away from helplessness toward constructive action.

On the practical front, social connection is one of the strongest buffers against uncertainty.
Building circles of trust—friends, family, community groups—reminds individuals that they are not alone. Sharing meals, participating in cultural gatherings, or simply calling someone to talk breaks isolation. Even collective silence, such as meditating together or holding space in community vigils, creates deep comfort.

Finally, caring for the body is non-negotiable when facing sociopolitical distress.
Sleep, movement, hydration, and nutrition directly influence mental fortitude. Practices like outdoor time, stretching, or mindful walking are small but cumulative ways of reinforcing resilience. Simple grounding rituals—placing feet on the earth, noticing the sky’s colors—help counter the abstract vastness of political uncertainty with the sheer reality of the present moment.

Uncertainty in times of sociopolitical unrest will always stir unease, but distress does not need to consume us.
By weaving together self-awareness, creative practices, grounding rituals, community connections, and embodied self-care, people can face the unknown with strength. Just as storms inevitably give way to calm, uncertainty, though painful, eventually clears space for growth and transformation.

Send your questions or content suggestions to pacificcoastpsychology@gmail.com

September 26, 2025 Silliness: The Antidote to Anxiety

This blog was started for folks to receive mental health advice from a clinical psychologist through blog form. Please send any of your questions or content suggestions to pacificcoastpsychology@gmail.com
Today I will be writing about fun and unique ways to combat anxiety.

Living with anxiety can feel a bit like riding a rollercoaster: unexpected, sometimes thrilling, occasionally nerve-wracking, and usually with a dash of, “Why did I get on this ride again?” As a clinical psychologist, it’s my mission not just to help people manage anxiety, but to make that journey a little more fun, creative, and human. If anxiety has ever convinced you that everyone else is floating through life on a chill cloud while you’re the one clutching the emergency parachute—you’re definitely not alone.

Laughter, Dancing, and Ridiculousness

Let’s start with laughter—the secret sauce for anxious minds. Try laughter yoga, which gives you permission to giggle and guffaw until your abs protest and your worries get drowned out in a chorus of silliness. Or invent a dance routine so wild it makes the cat reconsider its life choices. Blast those favorite silly tunes, let your body move awkwardly (or brilliantly), and bask in the glory of endorphins, which are basically your body’s confetti. If you’re feeling truly bold, consider a spontaneous karaoke session. Belt out your favorite tunes in the shower, car, or living room; your nerves and neighbors will thank you.

Tiny Joys, Big Impact. Did you know that humming and singing can stimulate your vagus nerve, which can in turn relax you?

Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling isn’t just for people with organized bullet lists. Each day, jot down things you’re thankful for—a slice of pizza, a hilarious meme, WiFi that didn’t fizzle out, or even finding matching socks. This quirky ritual trains your mind to notice everyday joys and rewires your perspective toward optimism, one silly thank-you note at a time. This may sound cheesy, but it is science-based. People who were asked to make a list of things they were grateful each day were happpier in life. 

Creative Journaling

Try out creative journaling, too: Doodle your feelings, use stickers, write a playful poem, or make a note to your future self (“Dear Future Me: Remember that donut incident—laugh about it”). Your journal can be cathartic, goofy, or outrageously optimistic. Your journal can be whatever you want it to be. Guided journals are also a good option if you tend to get writers' block with a blank notebook.

Seriously Silly Self-Care

Anxiety thrives on routine, so why not shake things up? Take a cold shower (just try it for 30 seconds!) and see if you scream-laugh yourself awake. This actually releases the feel good neurochemical, Dopamine. Turn bath time into a rock concert—a bubble bath with upbeat music, pretending you’re headlining Madison Square Garden. The power of playfulness transforms self-care into something you might genuinely look forward to each day. Be playful with yourself. Wink at yourself in the mirror, smile at yourself, give yourself a thumbs up when you see your reflection.

Name your anxiety
Seriously! Give it an absurd moniker (for example, name your anxiety Captain Obvious Overthinker). Talk to your anxious thoughts; negotiate with them! This is also science based as when you are able to name your feelings, the area in your brain that controls your fight or flight response is calmed. Metacognition is the name of the process when you challenge your thoughts and sort of have an internal conversation about how to feel/think.

Contact Comfrot

Cuddle with your pet, hug a teddy bear, squeeze a stress ball, chew gum, walk outdoors, ground your feet on grass, or rub your feet over a tennis ball. Each quirky activity is a reminder that relief can come from small, surprising places.

Organize your space

Declutter your space like a treasure hunt: Set a timer and race to find three things to donate, repurpose, or toss. The prize? A more peaceful mind and a little victory dance, no judgment.

Humor and Humanity: You’re Never Alone

Above all, let yourself laugh at truly nothing, make weird faces at yourself for your own amusement, and find levity wherever you can—funny animal videos, blooper reels, dad jokes, or even comical memories that never quite lose their sparkle. There are even hilarious guided medtiations online you can find by searching for them. Give yourself permission to be human, oddball, and imperfect. That’s not just okay—it’s professionally recommended.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Those strategies might just be weird enough to work,” count that as a win. Anxiety is crafty, but your creative resilience is even craftier. No one expects you to have it all figured out, and if today’s win is simply naming your anxiety or making yourself chuckle, that’s progress worth celebrating.

So, let’s hop off that anxious rollercoaster for a moment and remember: 

Relief doesn’t always wear a suit and tie. 

Sometimes it shows up in bath bubbles, laughter yoga, or wild living-room dance parties. And if anyone needs backup on the next anxiety adventure, know this—there’s room on my rollercoaster for everyone.