How to manage eco-anxiety
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE WORLD FEELS LIKE IT’S LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY ON FIRE
By Kristina Benoist
(William Bossen / Unsplash)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: climate change is real. And the fear and dread that come along with it are very real, too. Anxiety about our planet’s future has become so common and so severe that some mental health professionals have coined the term “eco-anxiety.” And it’s no surprise that young people are the most affected by it.
Whether it’s news of the latest natural disaster or videos of the ocean literally on fire, it’s way too easy to get caught up in the doom of it all. But that’s not what’s best for our planet or our mental health. With both, it’s important to remember that you still have the power to make a change.
These are a few tips to help you take control of your eco-anxiety.
Identify your feelings.
You can’t fix a problem if you’re not sure what it is in the first place. Try not to get lost in a general sense of doom. Pinpoint the specific emotions you have and the thoughts behind them. Here are some things you may be feeling:
I feel anxious about the future of the planet.
I feel guilty about my impact on the environment.
I feel disappointed in the lack of climate action.
I feel overwhelmed by all the bad news I’m seeing.
I feel powerless to change the course of climate change.
Sorting out what exactly you’re feeling will help you find the right path forward. For example, if you feel guilty about your impact, you can find lifestyle changes that benefit the environment. If you feel disappointed in the lack of climate action, you can contact your representatives advocating for certain legislation.
“There’s so much power in having a community, and we can’t deal with these issues by ourselves. Find solace in that and in forming friendships.”
Find a community.
Despite the efforts of certain outer space-exploring billionaires, we all still share the same planet — which means a lot of us share the same anxieties about its future. Look for groups in your community that advocate, appreciate, and volunteer for the natural environment. It’ll help you feel less alone and remind you that there are people out there who care about the planet and are working to protect it. If it doesn’t already exist in your community, make your own! You can start a walking group or organize a local trash cleanup.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your community who you haven’t spoken to who seem active in environmentalism, and also don’t be afraid to reach out online either. There are all these people from around the world doing this,” says Wawa Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist. “There’s so much power in having a community, and we can’t deal with these issues by ourselves. Find solace in that and in forming friendships.”
Appreciate nature.
When you focus so much on what may happen tomorrow, you can lose sight of what’s still here today. Fortunately, there are still natural spaces left in the world — from sprawling conservation lands to your local park. There are tons of mental, physical, and emotional benefits to being in nature, so get out there as much as you can.
“It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be stepping outside, taking a breath, and looking at the sky. You don’t have to travel anywhere. It doesn’t have to be Instagrammable. Just take what you like to do outside,” says Marissa Byers, a member of MHA’s Young Mental Health Leaders Council. “The place that you are is still important. The roots that you have in that place are still important. There’s a lot that we can learn from being outside in those different environments.”
Stop doomscrolling.
We live in a time when you can pull your phone out, and in one minute, you can catch up on all the tragedies, threats, and disasters happening across the world. For most of human history, this has not been normal. Never before have we had access to so much information at our fingertips. That’s why it’s so important to set boundaries so that you don’t end up drowning in the bad news.
To be clear, it’s good to stay informed. This isn’t about denial — it’s about stopping yourself when it gets debilitating. You can set screen limits on your phone or turn off push notifications so that you don’t get caught up in the scroll spiral. Or you could set aside a certain time of day to catch up on news (like during your morning coffee) and not touch it the rest of the day.
“Climate change is a story of grief and helplessness, but it’s also a story of hope. There are all these things happening around the world, but at the same time, there is so much opportunity to act.”
Take action.
Even when you feel powerless, there is always something you can do to make an impact. No matter how big or small, creating positive change will inspire you and help you feel more in control of your situation.
“Climate change is a story of grief and helplessness, but it’s also a story of hope. There are all these things happening around the world, but at the same time, there is so much opportunity to act,” says Wawa. “For folks who are watching and trying to figure out what to do with all these emotions, understand that all those emotions are a massive entryway for you to act.”
Find your role in the climate movement. You may be a natural communicator, caregiver, protector, or something else entirely. Find your strengths and use them to fight for what you believe in.
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Climate change is a complex issue, which means it stirs up complex feelings. Ultimately, we have to learn to make space for all of those negative emotions while keeping hope for the future. Because the threat of climate change is real, but so are the solutions.
Check out Ecotherapy for All for more ways to connect with nature and care for your well-being.