Activism & Anxiety: Weathering the Storm of Resistance
by Laura Roberts, BSW.
The weight of the world sits heavy on our shoulders. Every morning, we wake up, reach for our phones, and are met with a flood of headlines that make our stomachs tighten and our hands shake. Another law proposed to strip women of autonomy. Another attack on our fundamental rights. Another wave of uncertainty. It’s relentless, unyielding, and for many of us, suffocating.
For women navigating this moment in history, the emotional toll can be staggering. But hear this: you are not alone. You are part of a movement—of women who refuse to back down, who carry the fight in their hearts even when exhaustion tries to creep in. The emotional toll of advocacy is real, but so is the fire that fuels us. We do not fight just for a better future; we fight for our survival today, and in that fight, we must protect ourselves, too.
We are expected to be everything to everyone—mothers, partners, professionals, community organizers, activists, caregivers. And yet, in the quiet moments between responsibilities, the weight of current events creeps in, paralyzing us in a haze of anxiety and helplessness. I know this feeling well. As a mother, a grad student, business owner, and advocate, I have felt the crushing exhaustion of trying to balance daily life while also carrying the awareness of what’s happening in our country. There are days when I barely have time to breathe before another news alert drags me into a spiral of worry.
When the flood of information leaves us frozen in anxious task paralysis, how do we keep fighting for change without losing ourselves along the way? The answer isn’t a simple one, but it starts with learning to navigate this storm with intention. We cannot afford to let anxiety steal our ability to act, nor can we sacrifice our well-being in the name of resistance. There is a way forward, and it begins with caring for ourselves so that we may continue to care for others. Below are a few strategies to help ground you when the weight of it all feels overwhelming:
1. Know the Facts
Misinformation spreads like wildfire, feeding fear and uncertainty. One of the best ways to combat anxiety is to ensure that what you are reading is factual. Instead of doom-scrolling through social media, seek out reputable sources. Government websites, nonpartisan research organizations, and established news outlets with a history of integrity are the best places to verify legislation, policies, and political claims. If a headline feels designed to elicit an emotional reaction rather than inform, take a step back and fact-check before engaging. Knowledge is power, and arming yourself with accurate information can help you feel more grounded.
2. Don’t Neglect Self-Care
There is no shame in stepping away from the noise to care for yourself. In fact, it’s necessary. Give yourself permission to do something that soothes your soul—take a long bath, curl up with a book, have coffee with a trusted friend, go for a drive with your favorite music playing (and sing at the top of your lungs). If anxiety and depression persist, consider seeking professional support. Therapy can be a valuable tool for resilience. You are allowed to pause, to breathe, to exist outside of the fight for justice, if only for a moment.
3. Create Boundaries with the News
It is okay to limit your exposure to distressing news. You are not less informed or less responsible for taking time to protect your peace. Set designated times for checking headlines rather than consuming a constant stream of updates. Some people find it helpful to have “news free” days to recalibrate their nervous systems. Others use screen time limits to curb excessive engagement. Remember, you can't burn down the injustices of the world if your own flame is extinguished. Protect your energy—your advocacy is strongest when you are, too.
4. Move Your Body
As my favorite therapist once told me, "You can't always think your way out of anxiety." The body holds onto stress in ways we may not even realize. When you find yourself trapped in the cycle of worry, reconnect with your physical self. Try these somatic techniques to release pent up tension:
• Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing techniques like box breathing (inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four) to calm your nervous system.
• Go for a Walk or Exercise: Moving your body, even through something as simple as stretching or yoga, helps release stored stress.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Anxiety often manifests as physical tension, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you release it. Start by tensing the muscles in your feet for a few seconds, then slowly release. Move upward through your body—calves, thighs, abdomen, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and finally, your face—tensing each area before letting go. With each exhale, visualize stress leaving your body, allowing yourself to sink deeper into relaxation.
The world is uncertain, but you are not powerless. There is strength in community, in shared resilience, in the act of showing up for yourself even when the world feels too heavy to bear. We fight not just for a better future, but for our own survival in the present.
Rest when you need to. Breathe when it feels like too much. But do not mistake exhaustion for defeat. Every step forward—no matter how small—is a victory. The stress, the fatigue, the frustration? They are proof that you are in the fight, not that you are losing it.
You are fire. You are resilience. You are strength wrapped in flesh. Stand tall, take up space, and keep going—because you have always been, and will always be, strong enough to weather this storm and change the world.