Decoding Sustainability
A cause for distress
Have you felt worried or anxious after reading an article about climate change? As if the whole world was collapsing, and you were helpless about it? You’re not alone.
Research shows that climate anxiety is felt around the world, especially among young people. However, it is not recognised officially as a mental health condition. A sense of distress is a natural reaction to an excess of information about concepts like carbon footprints, emissions and climate resilience. At times, the distress may even manifest physically.
A big part of an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle involves compassion. To tackle feelings of worry or anxiety, it’s important to remember to extend that compassion to yourself. Taking a break from climate news, avoiding an overload of information, focusing on your own circle of control and talking to someone about how you’re feeling are all useful ways to tackle climate anxiety. Do you have other tips? Don’t keep them to yourself, share them down below!