Many can identify with this new term…Eco-Anxiety. This was defined by the American Psychological Society in 2017 as “chronic fear of environmental doom.” We are bombarded by articles related to climate change and especially extreme weather events as drought and the resulting massive forest fires. The globe is hotter than it has ever been. (New Mexico is the second fastest warming state in the U.S.) There are dire predictions as to how many years we have left to make change before the situation becomes irreversible. The powerlessness we feel as eco-anxiety also has a companion of eco-grief for loss of certain beloved places from the extreme weather conditions as forest fires and floods.
Anxiety is normal. It is a reaction to keep us safe. It becomes a problem only when a person feels a sense of danger when it is not present. That is not the case in eco-anxiety. The danger of climate change is real and present constantly. The extreme worry the current situation causes can become paralyzing, interfere with work and life in general. So what can we do?
To decrease stress/worry about the feeling of powerlessness over climate change, one can take preventative actions. These include volunteering for organizations working on environmental policies, participating in projects which stabilize or repair our environment, or supporting these organizations financially.
There are ways we can live greener or more sustainably. Going back to reusable bags, avoiding plastic bottles, using solar, going to electric vehicles and appliances, taking public transportation, biking, cutting water usage, xeric landscaping, permaculture, divesting from fossil fuel…and the list goes on. They all seem like small changes but many people making small changes can make a big change.
Getting accurate information about the environmental issues in our community is another way to stem worry or at least focus our concerns. New Mexico Office of the State Engineer is offering a nine part series this month to look at New Mexico specific data on environmental changes, current and projected. See the schedule under the menu bar heading Community Actions
Reading and listening to too much climate news can make you depressed and paralyzed. The relentless bombardment affects our mood and saps our energy. A day or two away from media can decrease stress.
Spiritual practices as grounding techniques can increase our connection to nature. Spend time with a favorite tree. Meditate outside. There is more on the Waterspirit.org website.
And there is a certain amount of comfort (and maybe some positive neurohormonal changes) when you drink tea as black, green, lemon balm, or chamomile for example. You can feel confident about your own power to overcome stress.
Grieving is another response.
You are right. There are many ways to grieve. What practices might help for eco-grief?
I’d like to also suggest joining with others as a strategy to reduce exo-anxiety. For example, one can initiate or join a climate book discussion group (Zoom or in-person); go to street demonstrations when they happen; plan and hold a group letter-writing hour on a regular basis in someone’s home; visit a legislator’s office with a friend; invite a shaker-and-mover to dinner and learn what they are doing–and so forth. And one might keep a list of the eco/ climate donations (large or small) you are making–there are many excellent organizations seeking support. Look at your list once in a while to acknowledge the scope of support your are actually engaged in. Self-acknowledgment is a potent means to re-energize oneself and to inspire perseverance. We’ve gotta use every trick in the psychological book to redirect despair and transform it into willingness, communication, and even fun!
Thank you for expanding the conversation with so many other useful options. Have trouble thinking about “even fun.” I’ll work on that. sue