Staying informed is important for so many reasons. Not only can it help you be a mindful consumer and practice your values, but it’s also helpful for learning ways you can participate in driving positive change. Although being emotionally invested in something is a good motivator for change, there are times when it can be problematic. If you care about the environment, specifically, this can manifest as climate anxiety.
What is climate anxiety?
Simply put, climate anxiety stems from a feeling of doom or helplessness when thinking about the state of the climate and what it may mean for the landscape and human existence. Researchers have defined this as anxiety that comes from learning about bleak climate news. After all, negative news can weigh on you if you don’t think of things in a solutions-based way.
This is essentially a special way to describe the specific stress that comes from bad climate news. Climate anxiety can lead to intense feelings of panic, frustration, guilt, grief, and fear. While feeling anxious about climate change is a completely valid response, it can be hard to navigate because our climate issues are such a huge problem.
We can fight climate anxiety, here's how:
While it’s true that climate change can’t be fixed solely by changing individual habits, there are still plenty of action items for individuals! That makes it super important for us to navigate any feelings of climate anxiety, because any positive change is helpful and valid! So, to beat the funk, here are 5 ideas on how you can preserve your sanity without being ignorant of climate news.
First, don’t let the news consume you.
If learning about certain news or stories becomes too much then take a step back. Because once something becomes overwhelming, it’s time to assess the situation. Feeling helpless in the wake of bad news is only natural but try to come back to it in a problem-solving mode. Thinking about what you can still do puts an optimistic spin on things that is necessary to combat getting consumed. This will help keep things in perspective and ease climate anxiety.
Second, get picky with the news outlets you use.
Using verified sources to gain factual knowledge about the issues is critical. Being accurately informed will not only help determine if worrying is justified but also help you process the information. A good source will, therefore, give you the tools to know what to do with climate news and will empower you to take down feelings of climate anxiety.
Third, read the good news too.
In tandem with the previous point, don’t let yourself get oversaturated with negative stories. Find a balance between negative and positive! Don’t obsess over thoughts of doomsday and find some good news too. There is always something that can be done and there are plenty of success stories out there. Find the positive to mitigate potential despair that comes from dealing with only bad news.
Fourth, continue thinking about your individual impact.
Our actions are impactful and coming at it from this perspective will get you in a proactive mindset. Instead of being in an anxious frame of mind, you’ll feel like you have power in the situation. Even if an issue is intimidating, feeling like you have control over some of it can be very helpful. Plus, even small actions and changes can add up to great things!
Fifth, spend more time in nature.
There are so many benefits to getting outside but one is that it helps ground you. Spending time in nature can reduce stress and grow your appreciation for our environment. With a greater love and appreciation for what our environment provides, you’ll be inspired. Climate anxiety will fly out the window! You will only want to grow your environmental stewardship from then on.
The world can be a scary place, but let's stay proactive!
With these ideas, I hope you’re able to cut down on climate anxiety and grow stronger in the pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle. We’re in this together, and there are plenty of reasons to stay hopeful! So, stay positive, and don’t let climate anxiety bring you down.