When we refer to climate anxiety, we are often referring to the feelings of worry, stress and doom when it comes to talking about and thinking about the future of the planet and the ongoing changes to climate, pollution and global warming. It’s easy to feel nervous when we constantly see warnings from politicians, scientists and organisations across multiple media platforms, insisting that we change.
Extreme weather, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters have become part of our daily dose of media intake and so it can often feel as though we’re surrounded by negativity. Current climate crisis such as the devastating floods across Pakistan and the wild fires we’ve seen across the last year, emphasise the importance of the crisis we face and can leave people to feel frightened about the future.
Feeling scared and anxious about the future of climate change can be dealt with in many similar ways to dealing with other types of anxiety. You may feel a sense of hopelessness or helplessness when it comes to the future.
First of all, try to keep active. Exercise can help focus your mind, relax your body and is proven to reduce levels of stress and anxiety. Light cardio or yoga can often be a great choice when you’re struggling to cope with levels of panic.
When it comes to climate anxiety specifically, it might be good to get involved. Whether you become part of a larger activism group, or do something in your local community to benefit the environment, it is important to channel your concerns into positive change and actions.
The likelihood is that many people feel the same way that you do, so talk to others. Find communities of people and discuss your concerns. Perhaps even write to your MP and express your concerns so that hopefully, they can help to implement measures in your community to benefit the environment.
Anxiety can be a tough thing to deal with, but it is important to remember that things can get better. Channel your stress into change and activism so that future generations don’t have to feel the same doom that you do.
Our staff shared their thoughts and concerns for the future, which you can read about on our LinkedIn.