If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disheartened by our climate problem, this isn’t unusual. Many people feel a deep worry about human caused environmental degradation and climate change. A recent worldwide survey showed that this worry– what psychologists call “eco-anxiety”– affects nearly 70% of adults and 85% of children.
But what to do about it?
Here are five things you can do to address eco-anxiety.
Each of these can create a greater sense of individual security and agency in the face of eco-anxiety and can help build the resiliency needed for the challenges ahead.
Here is the fifth and final one (*):
5. Take action to positively address the climate change challenge
Being proactive provides mental health benefits. Besides participating in actions suggested in The Daily Difference, there are many other things you can do to limit climate change impacts globally over the long-term and prepare for it locally in the short term. When doing so, pace yourself. Engage at an effort level that feels comfortable and can be sustained.
Don’t keep this a secret. Please forward this to someone who needs to hear it and start a conversation.