With climate change becoming a core focus in our news, and often alongside negative new stories, it’s no wonder that eco anxiety is becoming more widespread. Reducing the effects of the climate crisis is incredibly important, but often we lack the tools to tackle it as individuals, leading to feelings of anxiety and lack of control.
In this guide, discover the effects of eco anxiety, and how best to manage your own symptoms, alongside promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
What is eco anxiety?
The definition of eco anxiety is “a psychological disorder afflicting individuals who worry about the environmental crisis”. Put simply, it is any kind of anxiety that is brought on by thinking about the climate crisis.
There are a few causes behind eco anxiety. The American Psychological Association identified “watching the slow and seeming irrevocable impacts of climate change unfold” as one core cause, being something we can all experience, but seemingly cannot change.
Another cause is the worry we may experience when contemplating the future for ourselves, our children, and our later generations. Many of us take solace in believing we are providing a better future for our families and future generations, so to have this undermined by an external force can be particularly difficult to deal with.
And finally, while the importance of taking measures to reduce and prevent the effects of climate change cannot be understated, the language used on the subject can be particularly impactful. With climate activists like Greta Thunberg declaring “our house is on fire”, there is powerful imagery and urgency that comes with their warnings.
What are the effects of eco anxiety?
The effects of eco anxiety include:
Anxiousness
Experiencing a sense of dread
Feelings of loss
Frustration
Helplessness
Lack of control
Restlessness
Stress and burnout
Worry
As with any form of stress or anxiety, these symptoms can change from person to person, and their strength at which they’re felt can vary too.
Besma Whayeb, sustainable fashion and lifestyle blogger at Curiously Conscious, describes her symptoms of eco anxiety as “feeling helpless, stressed, and burned out. I’ve found that my eco anxiety tends to start when I’m flooded with lots of negative information about how we are ruining the environment. That, coupled with the everyday demands of my work and life, leaves me feeling even more helpless.”
With only a fraction of us working in jobs directly linked to protecting our environment, or taking action outside of work, eco anxiety can be common on many different levels. However, at Calmer we believe in any pursuit, it is best to look after your mental wellbeing, grounding yourself before approaching difficult situations, be it in work, life, or in this case, for the environment.
Management techniques for eco anxiety
When it comes to reducing your eco anxiety, we recommend taking up simple management techniques that will support your mental health.
You can lessen the effects of eco anxiety by following these techniques:
Focusing on your own environmental impact, and what you can control
Calculating your carbon emissions and working on reducing them
Sharing how you feel - discover how to talk about mental health in our guide, and consider joining the Calmer Community to connect with likeminded people
Raising awareness of eco-friendly practices at your place of work or in communal environments such as a Facebook Group or book club
Contacting your local MP to raise your concerns around your local environment
Taking our free stress management and burnout prevention course
Whatever you choose, we hope you will feel more supported in your mental wellbeing, and can find ways to live more sustainably too.