Managing Stress and Mental Health in Uncertain Times
Navigating Stress, Neurodivergence, and Self-Care in Challenging Times
The world feels heavy right now. Like many of you, I’ve been grappling with overwhelming emotions as I witness the uncertainty and injustice unfolding around us. Just last week, federal funding was paused for vital organizations like the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless—groups that provide critical support to our most vulnerable. Meanwhile, the ALT National Parks Service has been sharing unsettling reports about park rangers facing increased surveillance and personal searches simply for doing their jobs. These realities are deeply disturbing.
Yet, as I sit here processing all of this, I recognize my privilege. Privilege in being white. Privilege in having a home, stability, and safety—at least for now. And privilege does not make me immune to the weight of it all.
As someone who is neurodivergent, queer, and deeply empathetic, I feel this uncertainty, pain and distress deeply. It’s exhausting and terrifying to watch those in power make choices that harm marginalized communities, sacred lands, and the very fabric of our collective well-being. Like many of you, I feel afraid—for our communities, for our planet, for myself, and for the future.
At the same time, I find solace in the strength of collective resistance. There is power in people standing up for what’s right.
I find myself holding a complex mix of emotions—hope and hopelessness, fear and joy, distress and gratitude. Moving between these emotions can be draining, and as a therapist, I know that taking care of myself is essential so I can continue supporting others. But knowing and doing are two very different things.
Self-Care Tips for Neurodivergent Individuals During Stressful Times
One of the ways my neurodivergence manifests is through deep emotional processing and often trying to go into a stuck and frozen state. Even the smallest acts of self-care can feel exhausting, and I get stuck knowing what I need but struggling to act on it.
I know what helps me stay grounded—yoga, movement, nourishing food, mindfulness, time in nature—but finding the motivation to do these things can feel like climbing a mountain. So lately, I’ve been shifting my approach, lowering my expectations, and focusing on small, manageable steps:
10 minutes of yoga or meditation is better than nothing.
30 minutes at the gym is better than skipping it entirely.
Cooking vegetables a few times a week is better than relying on takeout every day.
REST
This mindset shift has been a game-changer. By giving myself permission to start small, I’ve been able to meet myself where I am rather than shutting down completely. It’s about making space for all my feelings and self care needs without being consumed by them.
Finding Emotional Balance and Staying Present
In these challenging times, balance has been my anchor. I’ve been paying attention to what helps me navigate the overwhelm, and I want to share some of the tools that have been working for me:
Taking breaks when I need them—without guilt.
Using emotional processing tools to move through feelings rather than getting stuck in them.
Prioritizing small, consistent actions that keep me grounded.
Staying informed without doom scrolling (a privilege I acknowledge).
Finding ways to contribute to my community and show up as an ally.
Finding balance doesn’t mean ignoring what’s happening in the world—it means making space for rest and joy so that I can continue showing up in meaningful ways. It’s about preserving my energy for the long haul, so I can keep advocating, supporting, and being present with those I love.
