How to combat eco-anxiety

Being able to enjoy an outdoor meal or lay in the park for a tan are luxuries for those of us who live in mostly dreary places. But an inconvenient truth is casting a dark cloud over the hot, sunny days. Recently, the lack of grey skies hasn't brought us that childlike, carefree glee. Instead, it’s spurred bouts of climate anxiety.

But - while persistent fear about the climate crisis is *completely* understandable (believe us, we feel it too) - it’s not particularly helpful. It neither improves the quality of your life nor the planet’s. In fact, anxiety often paralyses us into inaction.

If you’re living in a pit of eco-anxiety, you may need a little help climbing out of it. Behold: our quick guide to taming your nerves and putting your energy to good use. 

But first: How can I recognise climate anxiety?

Climate anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease around the consequences of the climate crisis.”

As a form of anxiety, it has both physical and mental symptoms. Physical symptoms can include:

• Trouble breathing

• Stomach aches

• Having trouble sleeping and resting

• The feeling of a “pit” or “weight” in your stomach

Meanwhile, mental symptoms include:

• A persistent worried feeling

• Being unable to focus

• Thinking repetitively or obsessively about worst-case scenarios

• Having a low mood or fatigue for no other apparent reason

• Feeling unmotivated or hopeless

Does this sound like you? Here’s how you can start to improve your climate anxiety.

1. Remember you’re not alone.

   • Climate anxiety is something that a lot of people are working through as the temperature climbs and summers get drier. According to research by the Office for National Statistics, 75% of Brits report being worried about the impact of climate change. The first thing you’ve got to know is that you don't need to feel ‘weird’ or alone in your feelings - many people share them.

2. Talk about it with someone you trust.

   • Climate anxiety is - well - anxiety. Since it isn’t a well-recognised form, it can be easy to brush aside. Instead, try to give it the proper attention by sharing your concerns. It can help you work through your emotions. 

3. Seek out climate solutions

   • There are some really lovely places to learn about all of the activists and scientists that are working to prevent extreme climate change impacts. We recommend the How to Save a Planet podcast and the Climate Optimist newsletter, which will show you that positivity really does have a place in environmental advocacy.

4. Be mindful of your new consumption

   • It’s important to keep up with the news but we also know that overconsumption of negative headlines can be counterproductive. Making a change requires you to have hope and energy to take action. Don’t burn out through doom scrolling. Set time limits on the apps and websites that fuel your climate anxiety. 

5. Remember you have some control

   • Anxiety often results from feeling like you haven't got any control. But there are some ways we can all contribute to the climate cause. Voting with your money is one of our favourite ways to contribute: check out this guide to ethical finance.

6. Take a break from action.

   • While taking action towards a solution can help ease anxiety, sometimes you need to disconnect completely from the issue that’s stressing you out. Build anxiety relieving activities into your routine - whether that's going for a run or attending a pottery class - that help you take your mind off the issue completely.

If your climate anxiety is really affecting your daily life, it may be the symptom of a bigger problem. Consider reaching out for help, and check out these resources by Mind, the Mental Health Charity.