The Emotional Shockwaves of Political Violence
The political culture we live in today can feel so toxic, so angry, that it can shake our faith in our ability to peacefully co-exist. And when a shocking event happens – like the assassination of Charlie Kirk – the emotional ripples travel fast.
News outlets report every detail. Social media fills with outrage, fear, and speculation. Within hours, it can feel like everyone is vibrating with the same heightened emotions. Even if you weren’t personally affected, you might feel anxious, angry, or heavy – as though the world itself has shifted under your feet.
This isn’t just metaphor. Psychologists call it emotional contagion – the process by which we “catch” other people’s emotions, often without realizing it. It’s why yawns are contagious, why panic spreads through crowds, and why spending five minutes scrolling online can leave you more anxious than you were before.
Why Emotional Contagion Feels So Intense
Our nervous systems are wired to scan the environment for threat – an evolutionary survival mechanism. When we see or hear others in fear or anger, our brain activates a similar state to prepare us to act.
This made sense in the ancestral village, where danger was shared and everyone needed to respond quickly. But in a hyperconnected world, it means we can be triggered dozens of times a day by events far outside our control.
The result? We end up stressed, angry, or hopeless – even when nothing in our immediate life is actually threatening us.
Signs You’ve “Caught” the Collective Mood
You might be caught in emotional contagion if you notice:
- Your mood shifts suddenly after reading news or social posts.
- You feel anxious, agitated, or angry – but can’t trace it to something in your direct life.
- You compulsively check updates even though it makes you feel worse.
- You find yourself arguing online or mentally rehearsing angry responses.
These are signs you haven’t just observed the emotional climate – you’ve absorbed it.
Guard the Door of Your Mind
The first step in breaking free is awareness. Notice your state and ask:
- “Is this emotion truly mine – or did I just catch it?”
- “Is it serving me, my goals, and my loved ones to be getting sucked into this emotion?”
Once you identify what’s happening and your decision whether to accept it, you gain power to choose how to respond.
Practical Strategies for Emotional Boundaries
Here are ways to protect your mental space and stay grounded even when collective emotions run high:
Name It Out Loud
Simply saying “This is emotional contagion” creates distance and perspective.
Pause Before Reacting
Step away from screens. Take five slow breaths. Give your body a chance to settle before responding.
Curate Your Inputs
Be deliberate about which news sources you trust and how often you check them. Avoid doom-scrolling.
Anchor in the Present Moment
Look around you. Notice what’s real right now: your breathing, the chair beneath you, the fact that you are safe in this moment.
Choose Your Emotional State Intentionally
Ask: “How do I want to feel right now?” Maybe it’s calm, compassionate, or solution-focused. Take a small action that moves you toward that state – journaling, calling a friend, taking a walk.
The Bigger Picture: Choosing Peace Over Polarization
When the emotional climate feels toxic, it’s tempting to meet outrage with outrage or fear with fear. But staying grounded isn’t about disengaging – it’s about creating the clarity to choose a response rather than react impulsively.
We can disagree strongly and still refuse to dehumanize. We can be passionate without becoming destructive. Guarding your emotional state allows you to become a calm, clear presence – a force for peace when the world feels divided.
Final Reflection
This week, pay attention to how collective emotions are affecting you. Are you catching outrage and fear – or consciously choosing your state?
By noticing when you’re pulled into collective anxiety and gently choosing a new direction, you begin to reclaim agency over your inner life.
More generally, maybe it’s time to put your phone down, turn the tv news off and enjoy positive connections with your loved ones.
Even in a world that feels chaotic, you can be the calm center. And when enough of us do that, we start to shift the culture — from one of reactivity to one of intentional, grounded action.
For more help with anxiety, download my free resource 5 Proven Methods to Reduce Anxiety.
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— O.S. Michael
