Art, obsession, and identity
While climate anxiety may not be a diagnosable mental health condition, its symptoms can feel very real. Check out this gallery for some tips on how to beat eco-anxiety.
If you are overwhelmed or stressed about something, it is a good idea to do something positive that will help improve the situation. When it comes to the climate, there are lots of options.
For example, you might make certain lifestyle changes that reduce your carbon footprint, or you might choose to join a climate action group.
It is very important that you take a break every now and then from thinking and talking about climate change. Overexposure to the topic is exhausting and not helpful.
To take a proper break, you might stop watching the news for a 24-hour period, or take a mental health day to spend time doing the activities you enjoy.
Positive experiences are very important, as they motivate us and give us the energy to keep going when things get tough.
Make sure that you set aside some time each week to do something fun. It will leave you feeling even more motivated to be the change you want to see in the world.
As with any type of anxiety, exercise can be a great way to alleviate the symptoms. It is a good idea to get moving in one way or another on a daily basis.
If you are not accustomed to exercise, try and start with something slow, perhaps a walk during your lunch break or a cycle ride through the park.
A great way to lift yourself out of an eco-anxiety funk is to remind yourself that we already have the solutions at our fingertips. There is definitely hope and we can fix the problem.
If you find it difficult to keep this in mind, why not check out the Climate Council’s social media channels, where they post climate solutions and good news stories on a daily basis.
Talking to other people is always a great way to make yourself feel better about a situation. Do not be afraid to lean on your support network if you are suffering from eco-anxiety.
Sharing your concerns with friends and/or family is a great way to cope with feelings of anxiety that might be getting you down.
If you are worried about the environment, it is because you care about nature. It might make you feel better to get outside and reconnect with it.
Try to get out and about as much as you can, whether it’s for a short walk or a full-blown digital detox in a field in the middle of nowhere.
It is important to remember that the accounts we follow on social media have a considerable impact on our mood and way of thinking.
If you are constantly seeing posts about the environment that are all doom and gloom, it might be time to revamp your list of connections and follow more positive accounts.
A lot of eco-anxiety stems from a place of feeling that we cannot do enough. However, it is important to remember that no one can be 100% sustainable.
More important is that we all do what we can. It is true that every little bit helps, but you can only do what is possible for you as an individual.
There are two ways that you can take back the power of climate action. The first is to join a climate change protest, such as the Global Climate Strike.
Another way is to vote for representatives who you know are committed to tackling the climate change crisis.
It is great to lean on your personal support network if you are struggling with feelings of eco-anxiety, but you could also consider joining a community.
Thanks to social media it is easier than ever to connect with likeminded people, so why not see what’s out there in terms of climate change communities?
If you have a couple of spare hours in the week, you might like to volunteer for a climate cleanup activity, such as litter picking or beach clearing.
Whatever the activity, giving back is a great way to contribute to the fight against climate change and feel good about yourself at the same time.
"Voting with your wallet" is a surefire way to make yourself feel better about the state of the environment. Do your best to back brands that you know are doing their bit.
With all the corporate greenwashing that goes on, it can be quite tricky to know which brands to go for, so make sure you do your research before committing.
This may sound contradictory to our earlier point about taking a break, but it is also important to stay informed.
Knowing what is fact and what is not will prevent you from spiraling and obsessing over what may be just an assumption.
There are definitely steps you can take yourself to reduce feelings of eco-anxiety, but it is also important to know when to seek professional help.
If you feel like your anxiety is getting out of control, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional, whether in person or online.
Sources: (Climate Council) (Compare Ethics) (Good On You)
See also: How whales help to combat climate change
Eco-anxiety: how to cope with the emotional hurricane of climate change
Some techniques to keep those anxious feelings at bay
LIFESTYLE Environment
"Eco anxiety" or "climate anxiety" can be described as a chronic fear of environmental doom. People who suffer from it are likely to experience persistent feelings of worry and guilt about the state of our planet.While climate anxiety may not be a diagnosable mental health condition, its symptoms can feel very real. Check out this gallery for some tips on how to beat eco-anxiety.