After Donald Trump’s US presidential election victory this week, a briefing handily re-appeared in the “most popular topics” section of the Mental Health Foundation website: “Tips to look after your mental health during traumatic world events.”

The briefing has been well-read before, at times of war, conflict, violence and social tension – and people were turning to it for advice once again as Trump’s win was ushered in a phase of deep dispondency and political uncertainty for many people.

“These are difficult and intense moments for many people. Anxiety is not an unreasonable response, and you should not feel diminished for being worried,” said Lee Knifton, a Mental Health Foundation director.

The potential changes predicted by the Trump presidency – economic and social uprising, threats to human rights, the prospect of racial divisiveness – can create or exacerbate feelings of anxiety, foreboding and loss of control.

It is worth trying to pause, reflect and see if perspectives settle after the initial shock and despair, it says. Try to accept events may be out of your control and influence. “Time is important. It’s useful to see how things land,” said Knifton.

If the feelings of gloom persist there are ways to cope, the foundation says, however helpless things may seem. One strategy is to limit your news consumption and reduce social media use, especially if it puts you in low spirits. Avoid long scrolling sessions.

Another strategy is to find ways to connect and engage with others. Don’t bottle things up, and remember many others share your feelings. Volunteering and activism are practical ways to find a sense of agency and esteem, often expressed as a desire to make a difference.

The beneficial mental health effects of volunteering are well documented. A 2023 study by the National Council for Voluntary Organizations found 75% of respondents reported that volunteering was good for their mental health and well-being.

Try these three activities:

Get involved in local civic causes

Volunteering

Political, social and environmental activism