When the 2024 election winner was announced, people all over the country began to express anxiety about a Trump victory. That feeling subsided for a month or two until Trump took office. As soon as he moved back into the White House, the stress level of the country increased from one to ten and has not let up. What if the stress that people feel is intentional? What if the Trump administration is keeping the country on edge? Are they using the Shock Doctrine to run the country?
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is a 2007 book by Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein. In the book, Klein argues that neoliberal economic policies promoted by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics have risen to global prominence because of a deliberate strategy she calls “disaster capitalism.”
In this strategy, political actors exploit the chaos of natural disasters, wars, and other crises to push through unpopular policies such as deregulation and privatization. This economic “shock therapy” favors corporate interests while disadvantaging and disenfranchising citizens when they are too distracted and overwhelmed to respond or effectively resist.
The book challenges the narrative that the inhabitants of regions have welcomed free market capitalist policies where they have been implemented, and it argues that several man-made events, including the Iraq War, were intentionally undertaken with the goal of pushing through these unpopular policies in their wake.
Today, politics is centered around abortion, immigration, and DEI. Those political points coupled with the attack on pronouns and transgender people have caused Americans to stay in a state of stress.
And before the country can recover from the latest decision from the Trump administration, the country is hit with another one. The quickness at which Trump is governing has caused the country to go numb when it comes to any response. Some wondered where the protests to the deportation drama are caused by tracking down illegal immigrants. But by the time something is organized, another traumatic decision is announced before the country can respond. And no one is safe!
It seems like every single aspect of American life is under some form of attack. Whether it’s job security, inflation, international law, or personal preference, Americans cannot seem to catch their breath.
So, what can people do to calm their nerves and endure the onslaught of constant drama from the Trump Administration?
STAY FOCUSED
It used to be that the average American was not impacted by presidential decisions. In 2025, it seems like every decision made by Donald Trump has impacted every American. Staying focused on your daily tasks is the most important thing you can do to resist the temptation to become overwhelmed by the doctrine.
Life is moving at a lightning pace and if you’re not careful, your health and wellbeing could be impacted by the macro factors outside of your daily life. Understanding that job security and living a certain way is a struggle, if you can focus on continuing to improve your own life, you might be able to calm your inner spirit.
REDUCE SOCIAL MEDIA
Opinions are running high, people are losing friends. Social media is the new adult playground for expressing opinions and viewpoints. And based on your preferences, the algorithm will throw even more opinions your way. Try to reduce your time spent on social media.
Growth comes from a healthy balance of being in the know and protecting your peace at the same time. It is never a bad time to protect your mental health. Without trying, you’ll consume enough news to complete your desired need for it.
If you can increase your opportunities to not interact with the internet, you might be able to create pockets of peace and calm where you can reduce your overall stress. Remember, the news cycle is at an all-time high, so you won’t miss knowing what’s going on, but you don’t need to obsess about it as much as you currently do.
ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT
Americans use their devices for everything. The modern cellular device keeps people connected like never before. That constant connection is also the leading cause of self-isolation and depression for many Americans. Some believe that, if not monitored, people are starting to become addicted to their device usage.
Putting the phone down and reading, walking, or spending time with another person could create a much-needed balance as opposed to the constant consumption of information. Healthy phone habits include limiting screen time, avoiding phone use at bedtime, and setting boundaries.
Here are some tips to reduce phone usage.
Limit screentime
• Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning
• Put your phone away when you are with friends and family
• Avoid using your phone while driving
• Set aside time to check your phone
Avoid phone use at bedtime
• Don’t check your phone right before bed
• Avoid active phone use before bed, which can delay sleep
Set boundaries
• Let others know when you’ll not be available to respond to messages
• Set aside time to unplug from your devices
Turn off notifications
• Silence notifications for social media apps
• Put your phone on “do not disturb”
Use social media for good
• Use social media to stay in touch with friends and family
• Avoid “doom scrolling” through negative posts
Practice digital minimalism
• Be intentional with your phone usage
• Be a critical consumer of the information you get from your devices
What’s a healthy amount of screen time for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.
EXERCISE YOUR BODY
Physical activity will always remain one of the most powerful tools to keep the mind and body healthy. Also, exercise naturally reduces stress and anxiety when done on a consistent basis. Life is troublesome right now and people need every option to maintain a good and healthy attitude towards life.
Experts suggest exercising at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or some form of movement to stimulate blood flow and to release the endorphins needed to maintain a positive attitude.
Americans, and the world, need to be prepared for a constant barrage of decisions coming from the White House. How people respond to the Trump administration could cause health issues if your response to it is not handled appropriately.
Check on your loved ones, avoid heated political debates if you have health issues, and try to maintain a balance between consumption of news and quality time monitoring your inner peace.
No one can tell what’s going to happen next. In the end, it’s unfortunate that being shocked has become the norm. However, you can create an environment where you can withstand the constant introduction of life-altering decisions, and stay mentally, physically, and emotionally balanced, steadfast, and positively focused.
