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Anxiety is a fact of life for many people, although it is often manageable. Common strategies include medication, stress-relieving activities, and exposure therapy. Some individuals fear things they are not likely to encounter in daily life, such as snakes or clowns. However, ego anxiety is another matter, especially because there is mounting evidence to justify it. What can people do to turn eco anxiety into something positive?
Defining eco-anxiety is the first step because it can help people experiencing it understand more about what they feel and why. They’ll then also feel that they are not alone, which could make it easier to find like-minded individuals.
Eco-anxiety is an emotional reaction to worries about the planet and its future. Some people find that it feels more intense when they hear something that amplifies their already-present fears. Many also have concerns about impending ecological disasters or how climate change may affect their way of life or that of those they love.
Research about the condition is still in its early stages, and doctors do not yet consider it a diagnosable medical condition. Even so, some healthcare professionals have begun developing scales and indexes to help patients presenting with symptoms quantify how they feel and the severity.
What can those who think they may have eco-anxiety do about it? They should start by considering whether what they feel interferes with their daily life and things they enjoy. If it frequently or usually does, that’s a strong indicator to seek advice from a medical professional.
Giving them details such as what makes you feel better or worse, how long you have felt this way, or what you have tried to alleviate it will help them prescribe appropriate interventions. Keeping a diary to record how you feel and what, if anything, makes it fluctuate could also increase confidence when explaining your situation in a medical office.
Something that often weighs on those with eco-anxiety is the knowledge that some people already experience the daily impacts of climate change. It often manifests in events such as droughts, hurricanes, and excessive rainfall. Sometimes, those effects seem very distant from where people live, but in other cases, they are not so far away at all.
One study relevant to those living in North America revealed that Alaska’s glaciers melt for three additional weeks whenever the average summer temperatures rise by 1.8°F. Such quantifiable changes drive home the reality that climate change is a pressing concern. That reality can worry those experiencing eco-anxiety.
It could also encourage feelings of helplessness. One way to combat them is to consider donating to charities devoted to the cause. Perhaps they are applying protective measures to the habitats most affected by these changes. They might also provide emergency assistance to those affected by natural disasters. In any case, people can maximize the impact of their money by giving it to outlets that are well-equipped to assist and highly experienced.
People often feel comforted by being around others who share some of their concerns. However, individuals may not be initially forthcoming about feeling eco-anxiety. That means the easiest way to find them may be to become more involved in environmental activities or causes.
Those who are up to it may wish to become involved in local activism, especially if they feel strongly about showing their opposition to or support of particular activities or beliefs. Involvement could also mean participating in a community garden and striking up conversations with those who are there at the same time.
There’s no single way to participate, but an important thing to remember is that many types of anxiety feel worse when people have too much time to dwell on the cause. Getting out into the fresh air and being around those who are also passionate about the environment could cause short-term positive changes that develop into lasting friendships.
Many people who experience eco-anxiety eventually realize that certain things make them feel worse. Although those things differ according to the individual, one commonality is that they often cause people’s thoughts to spiral if not controlled. That may lead to corresponding issues such as panic attacks or tearfulness.
However, grounding is a common way to stop things from reaching that point. It refers to practices under a large umbrella that help people connect to things in the present and nearby. Some people practice deep breathing to ground themselves, while others go through a process of identifying things they can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. One nature-based grounding practice is walking barefoot outdoors, which helps some commune with the environment.
Getting grounded might also mean playing with a pet or calling a close friend. That’s because mental distress often feels worse when people believe there is nowhere they can turn. Feeling the comforting lick of a dog’s tongue or hearing the familiar voice of a beloved pal disproves what people may otherwise think when they have reached what feels like a crisis point.
Here are some common questions people have about eco-anxiety.
That’s for your doctor to assess. Providing your healthcare professional with detailed information about how the condition affects you can help them reach an appropriate conclusion.
Long-established organizations with strong reputations typically have the resources and expertise to amplify their work and spend donations wisely.
That varies based on people’s preferences. It often takes a little while for them to try different strategies and learn which are most effective and easiest for them to apply when needed.
People experiencing eco-anxiety sometimes feel worse if they believe they are not doing enough. However, one of the best remedies is to realize that any conscious action, no matter how small, could make a meaningful difference.
Relatedly, people need to remember that sometimes, taking no action is the best approach, because rest is important, too. Those who become exhausted by constantly forcing themselves to get involved will quickly burn out. Moderation and listening to one’s body are keys to staying in it for the long haul and feeling motivated throughout.
