Is politics making people more anxious?

Yes—politics can make people more anxious, and many surveys and studies suggest it is a significant source of stress for a lot of adults. The effect varies a lot by person, political involvement, and current events.

Common reasons include:

• Constant news and social media exposure
• Polarization and conflict with others
• Feeling high stakes but little personal control

If political news is affecting you, it can help to set limits on news and social media, avoid constant checking, and focus on actions where you have some control, like local or community involvement. Political stress can affect people across the political spectrum, not just one side.