I’m going to make the assumption that if you’ve found yourself on my website, you probably care about the planet. For many of us who are cursed to care, ecological damage, global warming and climate change are all causes of great concern. In fact, concern can easily spill over into anxiety and despair.
But there are a couple of reasons we should try to protect ourselves from getting completely overwhelmed by climate anxiety. Firstly, if we’re going to tackle the issue, we need as many people as possible taking positive steps, however small. And anxiety and despair tend to breed inaction.
But also – perhaps more importantly, we’re all human, and we’re entitled to enjoy our lives as much as we can. We all deserve to experience peace and joy, and to do that, we need times that are free from thinking about climate change.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but over the years I’ve discovered a few things that have helped me. Perhaps they can help you too.
1. Curate the media you consume
If you’re experiencing climate anxiety, you’re probably already quite well informed about the climate crisis. To protect your mental health, it’s best not to spend too long watching the news or follow loads of social media accounts that are posting doom and gloom. Protect yourself and dip into the news when you’re feeling up to it.
2. Surround yourself with like-minded people
It can feel like nobody cares about the impending doom, but actually, lots of us do. Connecting with other people who care, whether online or in real life, restores your faith in humanity and naturally makes you feel more positive. See if there’s a local environmental organization you can join or find inspiring climate activists to follow on social media. Join in conversations and work together with others where you can.
3. Look after yourself
You can’t save the world if you’re burnt out. If you’re anything like me, there’s a tendency to put pressure on yourself to always be doing something and trying to make a difference. But mental fatigue is real, and a bit of self-care can do wonders to reduce your anxiety levels. You know the drill – plenty of sleep, nourishing food, get moving, do things you enjoy. Then you can get back to saving the world once you’re rested!
And a bonus tip from me is a reading recommendation. It’s a book called “Hope in the Dark” by Rebecca Solnit. It’s a small book but definitely delivers on the hope. Solnit has collected stories and perspectives from different times and places around the world, all of which illustrate why there’s still reason to be hopeful about the future. If you fancy buying it, try World of Books, Hive or Bookshop.org as ethical alternatives to Amazon!
I hope this post is helpful. As I say, this is based on my own experiences. If you have your own tips for managing eco-anxiety, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a message or connect with me on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.