Hasta La Gadget!

Back in February, an annual survey by the American Psychological Association found that 57 percent of Americans — Democrats and Republicans alike — said they considered the nation’s political climate a significant source of stress.

Also, it reported “the first significant increase” in the overall average stress level among Americans since the survey began 10 years ago, based on responses from last August to January.

Since then, there’s been little reason to think those stress levels have been alleviated. “At the individual level, there is absolutely greater collective distress regarding our country, the presidency, and the future [right now],” said Dr. Josh Klapow, a clinical psychologist and co-host of radio show “The Web.”

“This ranges from [Donald] Trump supporters concerned that the country is not united behind the presidency, to those who believe the president is taking the country down an ill-advised path,” he said.

The source of much of this collective unrest is change.

“Changes in how our government is run, changes between individuals and their beliefs, and the interpretation of what those changes mean” can all play a role in contributing to anxiety, Klapow said.

Additionally, social media and the 24-hour news cycle have made it easier than ever to be an omnivorous consumer of information, obsessively gathering facts and opinions until you feel increasingly frustrated and helpless.

The good news is that it’s possible to manage your stress around politics without deleting your social media apps or escaping to a remote island. Follow these six practical strategies to find a healthy balance between staying informed and staying sane:

1. Identify your triggers

“Chart out how much time you spend reading, listening, watching, and engaging in political rhetoric,” Klapow advised. Do you check every news update that lands in your inbox? Spend all your stolen minutes reading articles on Facebook? Watch the evening news for three hours after work?

Unless you’re a media personality, politician, or policy maker, Klapow said spending more than a couple hours a day immersed in politics can throw you off balance. Instead of tuning in on autopilot, stop and pay attention to how and when you’re engaging in politics. Analyzing your habits can help you pinpoint your primary source of stress and develop a plan to ease it.

2. Be proactive

If you’re concerned or upset about a particular political decision or movement, find a way to get involved outside your online bubble.

“Responding to a Facebook post or tweet does little to no good, other than to vent your feelings,” Klapow said. Instead, “it often provokes further arguments that are fueled by miscommunication and misunderstanding.”

Feel free to share an article or tweet an important message, but once you do, get offline and look for concrete ways you can contribute to your community and the causes that matter to you.

Call your representatives and senators to voice your opinion on hot-button issues, volunteer with local organizations, raise awareness about a specific event by speaking at your city council meeting, donate money to an organization whose work you value, or start a community support group for like-minded people.

“This is a deeper level of engagement that will allow you to be involved without being pulled into a communication battle,” Klapow said.

3. Seek out multiple news sources

“The more we gravitate to one news source, the more our inherent biases will be strengthened, and the less likely we are to see the perspectives of others,” Klapow said. That’s why it’s crucial to explore the world outside your own echo chamber; when you seek to understand people whose values and beliefs differ from yours, you can help dissipate the tension and conflict that stems from political opposition.

That doesn’t mean you need to devote extra time to participating in politics, though. Just switch up your current routine: tune in to a different nightly news channel once a week, subscribe to multiple news outlets, or make a point to read about controversial political developments from two different, unaffiliated publications.

4. Narrow your focus

When you feel overwhelmed by the abstract, uncertain world of politics, it’s helpful to redirect your attention to something immediate and tangible. ”[Remind] yourself of what is critical to your day-to-day living and well-being,” Klapow said. “A sound-bite, news headline, interview, or tweet likely does not immediately drive how you do your job, treat your co-workers, parent, or contribute to your family and community.”

To refocus your energy and gain a sense of control over your surroundings, Klapow suggested asking yourself this question: What can I do today to improve the day for myself, my family, my friends, and my community? Come up with an answer — whether it’s signing up for a local march, bringing breakfast to the office for your co-workers, or spending time with loved ones — then carry it out.

5. Establish politics-free zones

“Politics is dominating our environment right now,” Klapow said. “It’s up to you to create a steady state,” and to “be informed but well-rounded,” he added.

To do that, it’s smart to establish boundaries for engaging in political rhetoric. Maybe that means disconnecting from social media in the evening, limiting your news catch-up to 20 minutes a day, or enjoying a family dinner free of political discussion or debate.

Though it may occasionally be difficult to disengage, especially if a recent event or decision directly affects you and your loved ones, it’s healthy ― vital, even ―to take breaks from being plugged into the political pulse.

6. Prioritize self-care

You can’t be a proactive, aware citizen, nor can you successfully help others, if you don’t take care of yourself first.

“You may feel as if you are simply dedicated to the cause,” Klapow said, “but the reality is you [cannot] think as clearly if your physical needs, emotional needs, and social needs are not being met.”

For your physical and mental health, make sure to log seven solid hours of sleep a night and to schedule regular exercise, which research shows can help reduce anxiety levels. To boost your emotional well-being, spend quality time with loved ones and devote at least half an hour a day to downtime. Do whatever you find relaxing, whether it’s reading, meditating, watching the sunset or starting a new Netflix series.

The more time you carve out for yourself, the more energized, capable, and motivated you’ll feel to step into battle when it matters.

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You want all the “Roman Holiday” Audrey Hepburn vacation vibes (oversize sunnies, silk scarf, vintage convertible), but let’s be real: You’re going to have to pick and choose between lavish splurges in a city like Rome. Good news: A trip abroad doesn’t necessarily mean you have to cut the luxe out of your stay. These ten destinations are proof that you can have your opulent vacation cake and eat it, too… possibly in a convertible.

Related: How to Travel on the Cheap When You’re Not in Your 20s Anymore

TOULOUSE, FRANCE

Average Daily Cost: $130

This border city is home to both French and Spanish culture — see? You’re already getting more for your money. But seriously, think: ski slopes, beaches, thermal baths and amazing food. (Yep, you can hop between authentic Spanish tapas and French cuisine like Candied violets, a regional specialty.) If you’re after designer bargains, make sure you visit consignment shop Le Grenier d’Anaïs. Best of all, you can do it all for a whole lot less than Paris.

NAXOS, GREECE

Average Daily Cost: $95

Cheaper than Santorini and far less touristy, Naxos is just as picturesque and historic (see: the unfinished Greek Portara Temple of Apollo). Spend your afternoons swimming in the Mediterranean and your evenings sipping ouzo and eating fresh seafood while watching the most stunning sunsets in the world.

GIETHOORN, HOLLAND

Average Daily Cost: $150

Nicknamed the Venice of the North, this adorable Dutch town was built without a single solid road — so if you want to get around, it’s all about the waterways. A room at one of the thatched roof cottages goes for about $85 a night, and a private boat rental will set you back about $16 an hour. If you get bored of the floral-lined canals (impossible), visit the Museum de Oude Aarde or The Histomobil, a rare car museum. Then head straight back to the water.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

Average Daily Cost: $210

With the average daily cost of food, transportation and activities totaling just $50, it really doesn’t get more affordably luxurious than this. And where else can you find five-star accommodations for just $160 a night? (Hello, Raffles Hotel.) Get a sense of the local flavor with a tasting menu at The Tiger’s Eye, but be prepared to go early. Because many restaurants shutter just after 9 p.m., you don’t need an excuse to turn in early and get plenty of rest. 

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Average Daily Cost: $130

Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, Casablanca’s Sky28 bar boasts the most gorgeous views of the coastal city. The signature cocktails and tapas served there are certainly worth the splurge, especially since most of your days can be spent lounging in the beach district La Corniche or wandering through the old medina marketplace. Both activities are totally free, as is the Villa des Arts, the largest contemporary arts museum in the city.

Related: Moroccos Is Stunning, and Here Are 15 Beautiful Instagrams to Prove It

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Average Daily Cost: $140

Two words: off season. Head to the retro desert town between March and October for major steals at glam spots like the mid-century modern Ace Hotel. And if you ever decide to step off the grounds of your swanky digs (no judgment if you don’t), there are vineyards, golf, spas and gorgeous hikes all around. You’ll just have to decide if it’s worth leaving the pool. Decisions, decisions.

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Average Daily Cost: $240

Reykjavík is small enough to wander around entirely on foot, but big enough to keep you on your toes. Leave room in your suitcase for the super-cool hand-crafted goods you’ll no doubt buy from the graffiti-decorated shops in the center of town, and spend an evening enjoying live local music and brew from Einstök at Kex Hostel. Of course, no luxury trip to Iceland would be complete without a youth-restoring dip in the hot springs at the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.

Related: 13 Things You Need to Do in Reykjavik

SARDINIA, ITALY

Average Daily Cost: $200

If the crystal blue waters aren’t enough to sell you on this place, then maybe the promise of endless carafes of affordable Italian wine will do the job. Renting a car to get around the island is a must, as is splurging on a private boat rental for a day tour up the coast. There are, of course, plenty of upscale restaurants in the glitzy Costa Smeralda region, but taking a picnic of assorted local treats like salami, artichokes and red wine means more time spent exploring the white shores and rocky coastal caves.

Related: How to Do Florence for $75 a Day

VICTORIA, CANADA

Average Daily Cost: $140

Touted as North America’s most English city, Victoria is way cheaper than a trip to London with just as much British charm and plenty to do without breaking the bank. Start with afternoon tea at The Empress, served with china designed exclusively for Queen Elizabeth I, before heading out on a royal carriage tour or trip to Craigdarroch Castle. End the day with a waterfront dinner at Red Fish Blue Fish for a view that definitely tops any sunset London has to offer.

Related: 9 Totally Free Things to Do in London

GOTLAND, SWEDEN

Average Daily Cost: $140

Okay, so getting to this tiny island off the coast of Sweden isn’t super cheap, but once you’re there, you can live like a queen… or Viking queen. The coastal city Visby still maintains many of the structures built there by Vikings, including a 3.5-kilometer-long wall you can freely hike all the way down to the water. History buffs will love the time-worn fishing villages and archaeological wonders dating back some 8,000 years prior.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Average Daily Cost: $235

Between the marble streets, old stone buildings and glistening Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is truly awe-inspiring. Take it all in with a cable car ride up Mount Srđ before you dive in to city’s Renaissance relics, shops and food. Hop on a ferry for a romantic day trip to islands like Lokrum, Sipan and the Elafiti. Perhaps the best part: you didn’t break the bank.

Related:

The 17 Most Drop-Dead Gorgeous Places in Europe

How to Avoid Roaming Charges When You Travel Internationally

7 Amazing Underwater Hotels Around the World

The 15 Most Beautiful Cities in the Entire World

How to Spend the Perfect Long Weekend in London

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Daniel Day-Lewis, three-time Oscar winner and perhaps the “greatest actor alive,” is retiring from acting. 

“Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor,” a spokesperson for the “Lincoln” star said in a statement to Variety. “He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.” 

Day-Lewis, 60, currently has one film in post-production, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread,” which is set to hit theaters this Christmas. The movie follows a dressmaker in London in the 1950s who’s commissioned to design clothing for members of high society and the royal family. Day-Lewis will reportedly promote the film, an individual familiar with his plans told Variety. 

The “Gangs of New York” actor, whose career in Hollywood has spanned decades, has been praised for his talent and ability to get lost in his roles.

He is the first actor to ever win three Best Actor Oscars ― first, for his role in “My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown,” then, for playing an oil man in “There Will Be Blood,” and finally, for playing President Lincoln in “Lincoln.” He was also nominated for his roles in “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”

As Variety notes, Day-Lewis also took a break from acting in the late ’90s to reportedly work as a cobbler. 

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A dad in Oregon has helped out many other fathers by encouraging his church to add a changing table to the men’s bathroom.

Clint Edwards, the dad of three behind “No Idea What I’m Doing: A Daddy Blog,” wrote on Facebook on June 16 that his church didn’t have a changing table in the men’s bathroom, which frustrated him.

“As a father with a young child I really hate when I can’t change my kid,” he wrote. “This isn’t to say that I enjoy changing a squirmy poopy toddler. I don’t. No one does. But I dislike placing the full burden of changing every single diaper on my wife even more. This whole parenting gig is a partnership.”

In October, former President Barack Obama required both men’s and women’s bathrooms in publicly accessible federal buildings to have changing tables after he signed the Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation Act, also known as the BABIES Act, into law. In 2015, Ashton Kutcher started a Change.org petition asking Target and Costco to ensure both their men’s and women’s bathrooms had changing tables.

However, Edwards told HuffPost it’s still “pretty common” for him to go into men’s bathrooms in other buildings and discover there isn’t a changing table. In his post, he pointed out that he realized not all women’s bathrooms included changing tables, but they commonly have one more often than men’s bathrooms. 

Edwards told HuffPost he mentioned the lack of a changing table to some of his church leaders about a month ago in a meeting. He said everyone quickly “got on board” with his idea.

“I was one of two younger fathers in the room, and we were both frustrated by the situation,” he told HuffPost. “The mothers in the room were thrilled with the idea of adding a changing table. It actually went a lot smoother than I thought. I honestly just needed to speak up. Although, I don’t know if it’s always this easy.”

According to Edwards, the church installed the changing table last week. In his post, he celebrated the change, calling it “a win.”

“It’s one men’s room out of a million,” he wrote. “But for me, as an active father with a desire to care for my child, it was a serious victory.”

The HuffPost Parents newsletter, So You Want To Raise A Feminist, offers the latest stories and news in progressive parenting.  

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Never underestimate the sleuthing skills of a “Pretty Little Liars” fan. 

Lucy Hale landed herself in hot water this week after she body-shamed herself in the comments of a throwback Instagram.

The 28-year-old star wrote, “ugh I was so fat,” under a photo with her father, sparking an internet backlash about the kind of message Hale was sending to her mostly young female fans.

“Extremely disappointing to see someone that I consider a role model refer to themselves as ‘fat’ on a public platform where other girls can also see it,” one follower wrote. 

“Lucy I love you but please, you have never been fat in your entire life, there are people who are really fat and really struggle with their weight and maybe they look up to you so please do not say these things even as a joke,” another added. 

On Monday night, the actress and singer took to Twitter to address the backlash and apologize for the poorly received comment. The controversy, she admitted, served as an important reminder that her actions have a larger impact than she might realize. 

“Sometimes I forget that people are watching everything I do and I say things I don’t mean,” Hale wrote. “I’m extremely sorry if my comment about my weight offended anyone. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. I know people look up to me and I should be way more aware of what I say sometimes. Thanks for all the love and support. Hope y’all can forgive me.”

Hale has been outspoken about body image issues in the past, revealing that she overcame an eating disorder earlier in her career. 

“I’ve never really talked about this, but I would go days without eating. Or maybe I’d have some fruit and then go to the gym for three hours,” she said. I knew I had a problem … It was a gradual process but I changed myself.”

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