Politics is an influential aspect of our reality. It is the architecture of power dynamics, defining the very structure of our reality. Yet, today the political scene feels more unsettling than ever.

Epochs of cataclysm, injustice and chaos have enveloped the physical and digital realm through rapid news cycles. With the magnitude of chaos amplifying through the ubiquitous presence of social media, you may start feeling overwhelmed, angry or simply hopeless.

Take the recent US election. Many, regardless of electoral vote, may feel uneasy with the “alternative factors”, subscription to conspiracy theories or hostility towards the press. This may arouse emotions of frustration and disconsolation.

However, the process of staying informed and engaged with current affairs should not in itself compromise your mental well-being. Here are several useful suggestions to maintain your sanity while dealing with the volatile political landscape of today.

1. Curate information entering our cognitive minds

Firstly, we must learn to curate information entering our cognitive minds. While staying informed is fundamental, being bombarded with a relentless barrage of political news and debates becomes exhausting.

To address this concern, one should delegate and carefully select certain times of the day to check trustworthy news sources (BBC, CNA, NBC, The Economist) rather than scrolling through feeds of the uncredible, such as our addictive social media feeds. When choosing news sources, at all costs, avoid getting locked into an echo chamber by reading a multitude of different perspectives.

Instead, seeking news outlets allows us to read articles which are balanced, rational and well researched. Through this, the chances for consuming misinformation and becoming overstimulated are exponentially decreased.

Moreover, boundaries are essential, in order to avoid politics from permeating every aspect of your life. When you need a break from the news, or when you simply feel inundated by the multitude of articles, and possibly some deplorable news, know that it is completely valid to step away from it.

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2. Engage Wisely

Secondly, engage, but wisely. It is one thing to engage politically, however it is another thing entirely for the triggering events to be constantly present in your life. Nobody wants to be mentally dominated by the barrage of heated debates, conspiracy theories and misinformation.

In order to engage without burning out, pick your battles wisely. Not every fight requires your time. Instead, preserve your strength for conversations or matters that can make a positive difference.

If something in politics or the media annoys you, channel this energy into advocacy, volunteering or supporting a cause you care about. That way a truly positive impact can be made. Moreover, constructive dialogue is worth participating in. Try talking to people who are willing to discuss things, rather than arguing with people only intent on winning. By engaging in intellectual, rational conversation regarding socio political topics, we not only enhance individual perception, but also receive valuable insights.

3. Bear the power of choice and make a difference

Thirdly, no matter what, you always bear the power of choice. Facing global political issues, you may feel quite powerless, and yet it is very true that every little bit helps. You have the ability to be a beacon of change amidst an increasingly turbulent political world.

There are a plethora of ways to make a difference. An example is by local involvement. After all, change very often begins in the community.

Support community initiatives, vote in local elections, and be a member of grassroots movements. Furthermore, implementing change through signing petitions, protests or informed conversations are steps towards putting pressure on change.

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4. Recognise the value of hope

Fourthly, hope is a valuable source of resistance. While political suffering can be overwhelming, history has shown possibilities. Take the End of Apartheid in South Africa during the early 1990s.

Through the 1992 referendum and years of consistent resistance, hope as well as pressure for change, institutionalised racial discrimination was dismantled. Consequently, racial balances were ameliorated. This shows how collective, unceasing hope can culminate to change, a prominent example of how a thrill of aspiration for an improved future can be achieved through time and effort. Your hope will have an instrumental role in inspiring a better tomorrow. One person can definitely leave an indelible mark.

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5. Always look ahead

Lastly, look ahead: There are many problems politically, but society advances. Ultimately, the goal of politics is to strive towards an increasingly prosperous society, in which all members have the capacity to thrive, and through which generations to come will be sustained. Nothing worth having is achieved easily or immediately ; future progresses are often incremental.

Progress can count as little epochs of acceleration or stagnation in improvement. In our future we may see this progress happening before our very eyes- a new policy effective in reducing societal inequality, a scientific breakthrough which optimises livelihoods, a cultural shift that promotes and expedites mutual understanding. The journey may be long, but the light at the end of the tunnel is always recognised and celebrated.

Overall, navigating through the depths of today’s political climate is utterly challenging, with an intangible, delicate equilibrium requiring much balance: weighing informing oneself against protecting one's sanity; weighing activism against taking time for oneself. Undeniably, the world is in chaos, but you must always place your well being as a primary priority.

Be wise in your engagement, be it in directing your energy for change or in the information being absorbed into your cognitive mind, and most of all, never lose hope. Remember, navigating this journey is a marathon, not a sprint.