How To Cope When It Feels Like The World Is Ending
Last week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report on the status of climate change and the dangers it poses to human life and health in the coming years. The findings, to say the least, were grim. As summarized by the New York Times, this report notes that climate events are affecting human health and that nations are not doing enough to prepare for the worsening impacts to come.
The realities of climate change have implications for our collective mental wellbeing. The term “climate anxiety” has been coined to describe the effects that living in the midst of climate change can have on our mental health. Climate anxiety refers to feelings of worry, fear, or dread related to the consequences that our changing climate will have for our communities and ways of life. People experiencing climate anxiety also often contend with feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, guilt, anger, and sadness.
It is heavy to witness or experience firsthand the destruction that climate change wreaks, and more and more people are starting to feel this burden. As reported in the journal Nature, a survey conducted in 2021 of 10,000 people ages 16-25 across ten countries found that 59% of respondents felt “extremely worried” or “very worried” about climate change, and that 45% of respondents thought that feelings about climate change affected their day to day lives. Unfortunately, climate changes and its effects are here to stay, so if you are one of the many people who experience the weight of climate anxiety read on for some suggestions for coping.
Acknowledge your feelings. Oftentimes anxiety is the product of fears or worries that are unrealistic or highly unlikely to occur. This is not the case, however, with climate anxiety. We are already observing the effects on health, weather events, homes, food supply, species diversity, and more due to climate change, and the science indicates that these effects will worsen with time. Anxiety and other emotions make perfect sense within this context. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions are present for you, name them for what they are, and affirm for yourself that it is okay to feel this way.
Take meaningful action where you can. Anxiety is not always a bad thing. It is possible to use our anxiety as motivation and drive to do something to help the problem. You as an individual will not be able to solve the climate crisis on your own, but as Senator Cory Booker has said, “Don't let your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something.” Try to find small ways of participating in efforts toward building a more sustainable world, such as donating to organizations whose values align with your own, taking individual action steps like eating less meat or driving less often, or participating in political activism like attending a rally or contacting your representatives regarding climate legislation.
Know when to disconnect. Again, you cannot singlehandedly solve this crisis, and pushing yourself to engage constantly with climate-related issues and suffering can lead to overwhelm, despair, burn out, or even apathy. Set boundaries with yourself around how much news or other information you consume related to climate change or its effects. Give yourself regular breaks from thinking or talking about climate change and allow yourself to focus on just living your life.
Practice mindfulness and gratitude. There is still much good and beauty in the world. Try to allow yourself to be present with what is in front of you right now rather than worry about what could happen or might be different in the future. Take the time to notice small wonders and joys in the natural world, like snow on a tree branch, flowers blooming, birds chirping, or a quiet moment on a hiking trail, and practice cultivating gratitude for your ability to experience them. Noticing, savoring, and appreciating the beauty of our earth can help alleviate anxiety and other uncomfortable emotions.
Talk about it, including with your therapist. The climate crisis is one that will affect us all, and there is no reason for you to carry the heaviness of it alone. Talk to friends, family, or other people you trust about how you are feeling. Moreover, I often hear doubts from clients about whether it is okay for them to talk about things like climate change or other current events that are affecting their mental health as a part of broader anxiety therapy. This is absolutely okay and something I encourage! Your therapist can help you understand and process your emotions and use the information they are offering you to help you build a more meaningful life.
Climate change is a real and scary threat that we will all have to deal with. Taking the right steps now can help you remain hopeful and engaged for the long haul. And if at any point you are feeling overwhelmed or burdened by the realities of our world, let me help you carry them.
