STUDY: Americans stressed out about politics

The American Psychological Association said many Republicans and Democrats are stressed out over politics. The APA published a report last Wednesday that reads, in part:

"Two-thirds of Americans say they are stressed about the future of our nation, including a majority of both Democrats and Republicans."

"More than half of Americans (57 percent) say the current political climate is a very or somewhat significant source of stress."

Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus spoke with licensed psychologists at Synapse LLC in Buckhead to see if their patients are also experiencing anxiety tied to politics.

"They are experiencing more stress, and we see that as well in the research,” said Dr. Janet Cox.

"For some, they are reacting as if their life is in danger,” Dr. Neal Cohen told Klaus.

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Chris Hill, with the local militia group Georgia Security Force III%, said the new administration has been a relief.

"Not even a month into it, we have what I've always wanted: an outsider, an independent,” he said. "Every day, it's been like waking up Christmas morning."

It was a different story at a rally in Buckhead on Monday at which protesters called for President Trump's impeachment.

"We think there's possible reasons for impeachment,” one opponent told Channel 2’s Lori Wilson.

"The best I can hope is that marches like this will at least keep him under control and let him act like a Republican, instead of an egomaniac,” another opponent told Wilson.

Cox and Cohen recommended several strategies for coping with stress, including eating healthy food, exercising daily, spending time with like-minded people and practicing mindfulness.

Cox Media Group