Do you struggle with climate anxiety? Learn how to manage your climate anxiety with these 3 powerful tips
Over the last few years, I have found it harder and harder to engage with some of the conversations about the changes to our climate. I can get overwhelmed and anxious and that can lead to feelings of panic which, in turn, can trigger other negative behaviours. As a result, I had begun avoiding any content relating to climate change and impacts on nature.
A lot of activists in this arena are so passionate and frustrated about the lack of action, that they are trying increasingly hard to get our attention by using hard hitting headlines and statistics. I completely understand why they are doing this, but I find it really hard to stay engaged as my climate anxiety takes over.
I have worked hard to develop some practices that enable me to start engaging on the topics of climate change, nature and sustainability; whilst also taking good care of my emotional and mental health. The result has been really positive – I am now regularly involved in conservation activities, I am becoming far better informed about actions we can take, and I have become more optimistic about the future because I am now more aware of everything that is being done to try and reverse the damage. There are a lot of wonderful people who are working and volunteering to make a difference to our planet and I am trying to support them where I can.
I have applied some of the principles that I use in my coaching to guide me and to create practices and habits that are really working for me. I have shared the approach to manage climate anxiety I have taken below in the hope that it might help you too:
Facts are Friends
Whenever we are faced with an issue or a decision, the first step is always to make sure we have the facts we need. It is easy to let our saboteurs/inner critics tell us lots of nonsense that isn’t real, which can lead us to make the wrong decision (and lose a lot of sleep) – facts will always be our friends.
I am very careful where I get my facts from. There is plenty of misinformation available online and it is easy to get sucked into a vortex of contradiction and fear-mongering. I don’t need many more facts about the issues facing the planet – they are all around us. I did need more facts about what we could do about it: which actions can have an impact, and which are just “greenwashing”.
Ask yourself if you have the facts you need and then choose a source you can trust to get them.
Small Sustainable Actions
It can be really easy to be overwhelmed by all the changes we are told to make to support the planet. Lots of new products are available that carry green credentials, and it can be really easy to be duped into buying something more expensive that actually makes no difference to the environmental impact.
Top Tips
Nature needs our help, and we need Nature’s help. One of the best ways we can help nature to help us is to increase biodiversity. The UK is currently one of the lowest-ranking countries in the world for biodiversity. Many of our native species are being negatively impacted and the consequences of this can be easily seen. Biodiversity is essential for discovering new medicines, as many drugs are derived from plants, fungi, and other organisms. It also helps regulate ecosystems, prevents flooding, controls temperatures, and ensures the planet’s resilience to climate change.
One of the best decisions I have made in recent years is to start volunteering with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. I really respect the work that the Wildlife Trusts are doing to manage and support nature in the UK. Their employees are deeply passionate and skilled conservationists and ecologists and educators, who work tirelessly to make a difference. They work across their own nature reserves and land owned by others to help nature help itself.
I have joined a number of volunteer sessions where we have been clearing vegetation, creating spaces for nature to thrive, and generally giving nature a helping hand. I have met many likeminded people who all want to make a difference by helping practically – this has both given me connection and made me feel less alone in wanting to drive positive change and manage my climate anxiety.
I have also joined the Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Network which has introduced me to many other groups of like-minded people all working to make a difference. Some are restoring wild meadows, some are improving nature in local parks or abandoned spaces, and some are working to protect or record native species. It is so encouraging to find out just how much is going on to support and protect nature.
“Do what you can with what you have, where you are” – Theodore Roosevelt
This quote is really relevant to overcoming climate anxiety. I keep focusing on what is in my control to change; on what I can help with; and on getting involved locally with other people that are making a difference. I volunteer with Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England. I manage my consumption and buy sustainably where I can. I have also launched an offering of a coaching session on any topic of your choice in return for a donation to Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Click the button below to find out more about how you can get an initial 1-1 coaching session at a discounted price in return for a donation to the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
I still get climate anxiety at times – especially with recent events in the US and elsewhere – but I can keep anchoring back to my actions and it helps. I can’t change what others are doing but I can make sure I am happy with what I am doing.
Coaching can help you manage your climate anxiety
If you would like any help learning to manage your climate anxiety and get into action, then please contact me for a free initial chat via the link below.
Click the button below to find out more about how you can get an initial 1-1 coaching session at a discounted price in return for a donation to the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.