Climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety, is a term used to describe anxiety caused by the climate crisis. Often, individuals with climate anxiety will experience a feeling of imminent doom around climate change. Some symptoms of climate anxiety include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and despair. An important distinction between climate anxiety and generalized anxiety is that whereas generalized anxiety can often be challenged with thoughts, climate anxiety is rooted in the observable changes to our environment and the worry that might naturally come from it. In this way, climate anxiety doesn’t respond well to typical anxiety treatments. So, how do we help ourselves if we are experiencing climate anxiety? Edmonton-based therapist, Shaheen Alarakhia, goes through 5 ways to cope with climate anxiety.
In Alberta right now, there are 87 active wildfires with a total of 495 wildfires this year alone. For many in the therapy room, this has lead to conversations around increased climate anxiety. Climate anxiety is a deep, unshakable worry which impacts individuals who are acutely aware of the urgent and increasing dangers posed by the climate crisis. And while local events might trigger an increase in a person’s climate anxiety, many individuals with climate anxiety cite worries around the suffering and injustices faced by vulnerable communities and ecosystems worldwide as thoughts that plague them daily.
Some symptoms of climate anxiety include:
Feeling overwhelmed and worried around the climate crisis is normal reaction to an abnormal problem. It is important and possible to integrate things to help reduce climate anxiety. Below are five evidence-based ways you can cope with climate anxiety.
If you are struggling with climate anxiety, know that you aren’t alone. The increasing temperatures and events from the global climate crisis can be overwhelming and have a negative impact on our mental health. Working on climate anxiety with a trained therapist might help you feel lighter and more hopeful. If you would like to book in a session with one of our Edmonton-based therapists get in touch with us.
Meet our certified therapists, Adam, Selena, Danielle, and Shaheen. No matter what you want to work on, we have a therapist to help. Our Counsellors focus on helping you feel at ease by allowing you to feel heard and understood. By using a holistic, or whole picture approach, our trained Counsellors can help their patients live a happier, more authentic life. Our therapists offer adult counselling, couples counselling, and adolescent/teen counselling. Interested in learning more? Need to book a session? Contact Us here.
Counselling doesn’t just have to be for those who have reached a crisis situation. If you want to live a happier life by discussing the issues that are causing you stress, anxiety, or fear, contact Holistic Healing today to book your free initial consultation.