Trump Anxiety: For Canadians, it’s not Political. This is Personal.

Today we talk to Stefanie Peachey, a therapist and mental health advocate about what’s been called, Trump anxiety. Whether it’s tariffs or rhetoric around Canada becoming the 51st state, Canadians are feeling betrayed, bullied and pissed off. And it’s taking a dramatic toll on our mental health.

I wanted to have this conversation because I have dear friends in the US, customers, and partners, and this is an elephant in the room I’ve been avoiding. I don’t even like having the conversation with my Canadian friends because it’s so emotionally charged. At work, we’re told never to talk politics, but here’s the thing - this is not a political issue. It’s deeply personal, and it affects everyone differently.

I’m recording this intro 4 days after Stefanie and I spoke, and there have already been 2 major changes in Trump’s position on tariffs. If you think things will calm down, it won’t. Nobody is coming to save us. The current chaos of the day will simply be replaced by something else because that’s what bullies do. Whether you like it or not, dealing with uncertainty and the anxiety people are feeling - is a core competency you need to build.

Stefanie gives us language for how we’re feeling and practical steps we can take to take back some control in our lives, and feel less powerless. We also talk about the power of collective experiences like concerts and sports that bring us together and remind us that we’re all better than this.

Please enjoy, Stefanie Peachey.

Key Takeaways

• Stefanie highlights how many Canadians are experiencing a sense of collective trauma—not unlike emotional abuse in toxic relationships—with feelings of gaslighting, fear, and powerlessness triggered by political uncertainty.

• It’s not political, it’s personal. These issues are impacting people’s day-to-day lives, their sleep, their stress levels, and their relationships.

• Leaders don’t need to have all the answers—but they do need to acknowledge what’s going on and show their teams that they’re listening and paying attention.

• Self-care isn’t about spa days—it’s about the basics: drinking water, getting sleep, moving your body, and monitoring how your environment (including your media diet) impacts your emotions.

• Doom scrolling is real—and dangerous. Being intentional about your screen time (even removing passwords or deleting apps) can make a huge difference in your mental health.

• Quiet moments—whether sitting in a restaurant alone or going for a run—can be grounding. Learning to sit with our thoughts is a skill worth re-building.

• We need more collective joy. Concerts, hockey games, shared wins—these experiences remind us that we’re connected and help us feel less alone.

• Her billboard message? “This is tough. But so are you.” A powerful reminder that while we can't control everything, we are more resilient than we think.

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Article: Trump, tariffs, stock market crash: Are politics and finances stressing you out?

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