Eco-anxiety. How climate change affects your mental health.

The climate crisis has long since ceased to be an issue of the future. You only have to look at the news or search for information to realise how evident its effects are in our daily lives: extreme weather phenomena, rising global temperatures, loss of biodiversity, rising sea levels, and a long etcetera. This new reality is having an impact on our mental health, especially in young people, giving rise to what we know as eco-anxiety.

What is ecoanxiety?

Eco-anxiety, or climate anxiety, has been defined as ‘the chronic fear of environmental cataclysm’ (American Psychology Association). We should be clear that it is a normal emotional response to the perception of a serious threat to our future.

Feelings of eco-anxiety can manifest themselves in different ways:

• Worry: Not being able to stop thinking about the consequences of climate change.
• Guilt: Believing that our individual actions are contributing to the problem.
• Powerlessness: Feeling that there is nothing we can do to reverse the situation.
• Sadness: Losing hope for a better future.
• Generalised anxiety: manifested in difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, irritability and the other common signs of anxiety.

Causes of eco-anxiety

Eco-anxiety arises from a combination of factors:

1. Awareness of the climate crisis: Access to information about climate change and its impacts makes us more aware of the problem, but also generates greater concern.
2. Sense of threat: Perceiving that our way of life is at risk can generate fear and anxiety.
3. Feelings of guilt: Many people feel guilty for feeling part of the problem, either through their consumption or their inaction.
4. Powerlessness: The magnitude of the problem can lead to a feeling that our individual efforts are insufficient.

Consequences of eco-anxiety

Eco-anxiety can have an impact on our daily lives, affecting our relationships, our work and our physical health. Some of these consequences include:

• Social isolation: Avoiding talking about it for fear of being judged or not wanting to worry.
• Difficulty in making decisions: generated by information overload and difficulty in changing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Physical health problems: Chronic anxiety can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of disease.

How to combat eco-anxiety?

There are strategies that can help you manage these feelings:

• information overload, especially negative information.
• Connect with nature: Spending time outdoors can help you reduce stress and feel more connected to the planet.
• Take action: Take concrete actions to reduce your carbon footprint. This can enhance your perception of feeling like a useful part of the environment.
• Join a community: Participating in groups or organisations that work to protect the environment can make you feel part of the solution to the problem.
• Take care of your mental health: Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. And, if necessary, don’t be afraid to ask for professional support.

We must remember that eco-anxiety is an understandable response to the climate crisis. It is therefore important to be aware that we are not alone and that there are tools to cope with these feelings.

Eco-anxiety in young people

As is often said, young people are the future. They are the ones most exposed to the impacts of climate change. Coupled with the information overload to which they are subjected, it seems logical that eco-anxiety has skyrocketed in this generation.

Adolescents and young adults feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem, worried about their future and that of generations to come, and often experience feelings of guilt and frustration.

How does eco-anxiety manifest itself in young people?

Young people may experience difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, social isolation or suffer from demotivation.

We need to recognise and validate the emotions of young people suffering from eco-anxiety. Giving them tools to manage this anxiety, such as environmental education and emotional support, is key to helping them build a more sustainable future.