News item: In the University of New Hampshire Survey Center’s new Bay State Poll, 82% say politics contributes substantially to their daily stress level, more than work, health, family or finances.
Uh oh.
For those of us in the political news and analysis business, this is an ominous number, especially with 70% of respondents reporting they “take breaks from news, social media and screen time” to help relieve stress.
Short of limiting our content to heartwarming stories of enduring friendships between pigs and cows, there isn’t too much we can do about this. Politics has never been a warm and fuzzy beat, and the shrill noise of our current political discourse makes one long for fingernails on a blackboard.
It would be nice to wave off this poll as suspect, especially since it reports 75% of respondents claim they rarely or never use booze or drugs to make themselves feel better. The overlap with those who claim they saw Bigfoot in the drive-thru lane at Mary Lou’s: 100%.
But when you dig into the crosstabs, some of its findings make sense. The highest percentages of those describing their mental health as “very good” come from fans of right-wing radio (71%), conservatives (69%) and Republicans (57%). For them, it seems, this is a golden age, awash in the sweet nectar of retribution and bile.
And there’s validation here for the premise that money isn’t everything. Nearly 90% of folks with household incomes of less than $45,000 report good or very good mental health; for those earning between $100,000 and $150,000, it’s less than 40%. Go ahead and spend that dough you were saving for college: people with just a high school education or less report much better mental health than college grads.
But if you’re reading MASSterList, chances are you’re not pursuing willful ignorance as a haven from stress. So in the true spirit of news you can use, here are a few facts that might improve your mood, however temporarily:
The baby boomers are dying off, and sooner or later that means political power will be pried from their cold, dead, narcissistic hands. It’s unclear if younger generations will do any better, but there’s no need to start stressing about that yet.
If our AI overlords have their way, we will eventually no longer have to think about anything. Thus, a key driver of stress will be removed, along with most if not all of our agency and creativity. A small price to pay.
While the future of Massachusetts may be uncertain, not so its most distinguishing characteristic. Dunkin Donuts will always be here, its orange and fuchsia colors a reassuring reminder of our allegiance to sugar and extra skim milk.
Political trends may come and go, the politicians who torment us will one day be gone and forgotten, but Morrissey Boulevard will always flood during king tides. A welcome prospect for those who use the monster gridlock that results as a time to de-stress behind the wheel.
Days until Election Day 2026: 183. Until Election Day 2028: 918.
It’s five o’clock somewhere, so go ahead and drink/toke up. Unless you’re part of the abstemious 75%. In which case, thoughts and prayers.
