Why does politics feel more exhausting than before?

Politics feels more exhausting now because it’s always on, emotionally charged, and harder to escape.

Why it hits harder:

• 24/7 outrage cycle: Social media and cable news reward anger, fear, and conflict, so the most upsetting stories get pushed hardest.
• More polarization: Politics is tied to identity, so disagreements can feel personal and moral, not just policy-based.
• Constant overload: You’re seeing more news, more crises, and more conflicting claims than people used to, which burns mental energy fast.
• Feeling powerless: Big problems are always in view, but most people have little immediate control, which leads to fatigue and burnout.

What helps:

• Check news at set times instead of scrolling all day.
• Spend more energy on local issues where you can actually see results.
• Keep some friendships, hobbies, and downtime politics-free.

In short, politics is more exhausting because it’s more constant, more emotional, and more tied to daily identity and stress than before.