Earlier this year, I was feeling sad. My usual joys weren’t lifting my spirits. I didn't understand why, until it dawned on me.
I had been too deeply plugged into digital news and rotating images of natural disasters melting ice caps pollution plastics extinctions sufferings cruelty greed unethical politics poor leadership… I couldn't see the world around me was taking it seriously.
It wasn't until environmental activist, Greta Thunburg, shared my view waking the masses with her actions and messages about our climate emergency; "I don’t want you to be hopeful, I want you to panic"(1).
That was it. With Thunberg's and other worldwide student protests, the cry for urgent change finally hit mainstream culture (PRAISE the young!).
Be alarmed. Not Afraid.
We are right to feel alarmed. We (you, me, our leaders and policy makers) need to be aware, think and act on climate change. We also need to think about how we ‘place’ these thoughts or issues in our minds and lives, according to how much power we have.
Depression, obsessive thinking, panic attacks, irritability, breathlessness—is how environmental challenges are affecting some of us.
‘Eco-anxiety’ (or 'ecological grief') can be described as feeling distressed about the state of the planet, and its future.**
The World Health Organisation regards climate change as “the greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century” (2). Whilst the Australian Medical Association declared climate change a health emergency, as do a growing list of medical bodies around the world (3). The impact of climate change on our mental health is very real.
What to do with eco-anxiety?
Situations that need radical change, require strong leadership; paired with openness and commitment to new ideas and trying new things.
In terms of eco-anxiety, this includes how you lead yourself. By this, I mean your self-care. Your. Self. Care.
This is caring enough about yourself to get enough rest, to eat and drink well, and to move your body. This decreases your anxiety. It helps you to respond better to the world you live according to your values and ethics. You have greater energy and clarity to align with your best and most authentic state.
Take a digital detox. Your Facebook or Insta account won't miss you for a week or two, and your mental health will perk up. Clear your mind. Refill it with positive things and gratitude for the actions for the things that have been done to help (like these six stories about climate change). Talk to like-minded people about the positive things we can do. Be kind to yourself. Know that change takes time. No one is perfect.
Eco-therapists encourage people to take action on environmental issues.
Start with one thing. Small actions help. Perhaps create a new positive habit, like turning off lights (yes mum), or refusing single use single-use plastics like plastic straws and cutlery.
The Climate Council Climate Action Toolkit offers information on how you can help climate change.
The United Nations say a plant based diet can help climate change (4), so perhaps explore eating less meat.
Climate change also needs strong leadership in our Governments, families, workplaces, businesses, schools, social and recreation spheres (congrats to artists like Billie Eilish and Coldplay who are leading change in the entertainment business).
Mums and dads need to be informed. It’s no longer enough to say “it will be OK”. Kids need to hear and see authentic commitment to sustainability in their families.
Children and young adults can join The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) or School Strike 4 Climate on Facebook.
So what can you do about eco-anxiety? Take action. But be gentle with yourself. Do what works for you. Be it big or small. Take control back into your hands.
And what did I do? In August 2019 I created Authentic State—A Greater You. A Greater World™. I made a commitment to sharing tools and information to help others lean into the best versions of themselves and claim their power; to create a greater you, and a greater world.
If this article has raised any issues for you, get in touch with Authentic State, or call Lifeline crisis support 24/7 on 13 11 14.
**Symptoms of eco-anxiety can overlap with symptoms of other types of anxiety; however at the time of this article publication there is no specific diagnosis for eco-anxiety included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
References:
1. Thunberg, Greta (25 January 2019). "I want you to panic: 16-year-old issues climate warning at Davos". Guardian News. Event occurs at 2:23. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Accessed 20 November 2019, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjsLm5PCdVQ&t=2m23s>
2. Good Therapy, 2018. accessed 29 November 2019, <https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/eco-anxiety>
3. Australian Medical Association, 2019, accessed 29 November 2019, <https://ama.com.au/media/climate-change-health-emergency>
4. BBC News, 2019, accessed 29 November 2019, <https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49238749>
Image Credits: NASA , Christian Erfurt, Markus Spiske, Meghan Rodgers