Dial Down Your Eco-Anxiety

Climate change concern, especially in the era of crazy, polarized politics, can lead to eco-anxiety. What exactly is that? Eco-Anxiety is the nerve-racking mix of worriness, nervousness, uncertainty, and other levels of distress that come about due to being aware of our planetary environmental issues. Sometimes it falls in the category of hyper-focus or overthinking... and sometimes it comes from having an overly sensitive and caring heart. But, it's hard to leave your empathy behind when you care about the planet and feel helpless or hopeless about what to do with the growing environmental concerns.

 

I ran across this Intersectional Environmentalist post, which inspired me to create this visual below on Canva.com. May it serve you well if you are inspired to take to journal writing, which is always a good way to deal with emotions. 

Eco Anxiety by Vicki Dabrowka

For more reading on the subject of eco-anxiety and what you can do to help yourself out, check out these articles:

• Good Housekeeping's Feb 2022 article: "Is the Fear of Climate Change Keeping You Up at Night? How to Cope With Eco-Anxiety" by Meryl Davids Landau
• Thred's July 2021 article: "If You’re Worried About Climate Change You May Have Eco-Anxiety"
• American Psychological Association's post on "Climate Change's Toll On Mental Health"

Additionally, here are some times when I've alluded to eco-anxiety in the past here on GTG:

• Eco-Mindfulness 
• How To Not Be (Completely) Depressed About Climate Change by Sarah Lazarovic
• A Trio of Messengers of Hope
• Climate Rage is Sexy

If you are finding yourself completely overwhelmed or distraught with climate/environmental anxiety, please seek help through loved ones or trained mental health professionals. 

Dictionary definition image from https://thred.com/change/if-youre-worried-about-climate-change-you-may-have-eco-anxiety/
Presentation created by me on canva.com, and compiled with images from 
https://www.facebook.com/intersectionalenvironmentalist/posts/pfbid02dShWkGcnbTK18EG3w2uQNmw74NebQ3kzSbAD4ukDFjZLvSaZSGT9b4n4tyvAy7bAl [Text by @kiana.kaz ; images by @burcukoleli]