Dealing with the elections and feeling strong

Have recent political events made you feel stressed or uncomfortable? Jenna Mayhew has been working as a psychologist in Mexico for eight years. In her practice Hola therapyshe has made it her mission to help foreigners living in Mexico, Mexicans with a foreign partner, foreigners with ties to Mexico, and Mexicans with ties to foreigners or other countries.

Now Jenna answers MND reader questions about the pressing issues of relationships, mental health, and coping with changes that come with moving and living in Mexico.

Dear Jenna,

I am an American living temporarily in Mexico. When the US election results were announced, I felt heartbroken, defeated, and angry at everyone who voted for Trump, and at everyone who didn’t. What’s the best way to deal with this kind of news if you can’t do anything to change the situation?

Let me first acknowledge that the feelings you are experiencing are valid. Regardless of your nationality or political leanings, when someone comes to power with views we disagree with and who can make decisions that affect our lives, it is normal to have a strong emotional reaction. It is important to recognize that you are not alone in this. In our practice we have seen how deeply these events affect people.

Here are some strategies to help you navigate these intense emotions and find ways to heal:

1. Acknowledge your grief and loss

For many, the aftermath of the election results looks like mourning. Whether you feel hopeless, fearful, or even betrayed, these emotions are a form of sadness. And like any loss, it’s okay to cry, be upset, and take time to process. Grief is deeply personal and can be experienced in many forms: from sadness and frustration to numbness or even anger. Don’t rush through it. Give yourself space to grieve what you have lost, even if it is only the hope you once had for the future.

2. Stay present

It’s easy to fall into the trap of predicting the future, especially when you’re feeling anxious or insecure. While it’s important to recognize that there are risks and challenges ahead, worrying about worst-case scenarios only drains your energy and creates unnecessary stress. Acknowledge the uncertainty, but don’t let it paralyze you. Remember that the future is unknown, and worrying about it now will only rob you of peace and clarity in the present.

3. Limit the news and social media

One common maladaptive coping strategy we’ve noticed is the endless consumption of news and social media. It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of outrage, fear and frustration – things that are actively promoted by these platforms. News and social media, especially in the aftermath of events like this, can feel like an addiction, fueling our anger and despair without offering real solutions.

Take a step back. Limit your consumption. If you need to check in, try to keep it to a set time each day. Try unfollowing or muting accounts that perpetuate feelings of anger and fear. Instead, look for content that promotes your mental health, whether that’s peaceful, stimulating, or simply relaxing. It’s not about avoiding reality; it’s about protecting your emotional well-being so you can act from clarity rather than exhaustion or resentment.

4. Turn your anger into action

Anger is a powerful emotion; it is the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. While it is normal to be angry about political outcomes, it is important not to let anger turn into helplessness or inertia. Action is the antidote to that feeling of powerlessness.

But a balance must be found. Posting angry messages online or making inflammatory arguments can sometimes feel like taking action, but without actual change it can often leave us feeling more hopeless. Instead, channel your anger into something constructive. Volunteer, donate or participate in local activism. This doesn’t just apply to American politics; it can also involve supporting charities in Mexico or your community. Taking meaningful action can help you feel like you’re part of a bigger solution, rather than just a spectator to a painful situation.

5. Practice self-care and nurture your mental health

During times of stress, it is crucial to take care of your physical and mental health. It’s tempting to fall into self-soothing mode (alcohol, substance abuse, eating junk food, scrolling instead of sleeping, not socializing, etc.). Do the opposite. Prioritize eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising. Take walks in nature, breathe deeply and find moments of joy, even if they are small. Your emotional resilience comes from your ability to take care of yourself during difficult times. Even activists – who spend their lives fighting for change – understand that rest and recovery are essential for sustainable action.

Self-care is also about creating space to experience joy, especially in moments of despair.

6. Find your community

Even when you feel far away from home, connecting with others who share your values ​​or experiences can have a profound healing effect. Reach out to friends, join support groups, or find spaces where you can express your emotions and feel heard. If you feel disconnected from your country of origin, remember that you can still build community where you are. And don’t forget to rely on loved ones, whether that’s family, close friends, or even a therapist. Social connection is the key to resilience.

Moving Forward: Finding a Path to Healing

Ultimately, healing is a personal journey. The world has always been full of challenges, but also full of people fighting for change – turning their anger into action, their sadness into transformation. You can draw inspiration from it, whether through activism or simply choosing to live joyfully despite the turmoil around you.

This is your chance to decide what an action, no matter how small, looks like to you. The sadness, anger, and insecurity you feel are natural, but they don’t have to define you. You have the power to find moments of peace, joy, and connection, even in the most challenging of times.

And remember: it’s okay to feel heartbroken, it’s okay to rest, and it’s okay to take time to heal. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is always good to seek professional help as you navigate this complex emotional terrain. There are resources, people and ways to heal. Sometimes it’s about finding the right path for you.

Jenna Mayhew is an Australian psychologist based in Mexico, with over 20 years of experience in Australia, England and Mexico. She is the founder of Hola therapy, a bilingual practice dedicated to supporting Mexico’s immigrant and intercultural communities.

Hola Therapy aims to give back to the community and one way they achieve this is through clinical and financial support from the Misión México Foundation. https://www.misionmexico.org Misión México Foundation is a charity in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. They provide a stable, therapeutic environment for some of the state’s most vulnerable children, with an emphasis on safety, emotional recovery and education.

If you enjoyed the Ask Jenna column, please consider giving back by making a small donation to the Misión México Foundation