Politics and the pandemic. The last four years have divided families and friends but is there a way to bring us back together? We turn to Brooklyn psychotherapist Dr. Susan Birne-Stone once again for expert advice.
“ The pandemic raises our stress level, we are at a higher level of stress than we were four years ago.”
OUR INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
4 years ago, Susan helped people struggling with the transition from Obama to Trump.
Now, we turn to her for advice on how to mend broken relationships frayed by the last four years.
“This month I have gotten several referrals where the identified problem was strife and conflict in the family about politics.”
“We’re not speaking the same language” with people who have different political beliefs.
Trump supporters “ignored the meanness and would say ‘I’m not looking at the tweets’…those against him said ‘we can’t hear anything beyond the tweets.’”
Susan’s advice to bring family and friends together:
Get the facts through credible professionals. “I’m a therapist, I might give financial advice but you don’t want to trust me with financial advice.”
Identify your triggers
When together:
Avoid political conversations
Play a game
Focus on gratitude
Think of funny memories
Do the routine that works for you to keep you balance. “It starts with the self, what do I need, what are my values”
Eat healthy food
Get enough sleep
Physical activity