Climate Change and Anxiety
I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets anxiety thinking about climate change, but what can we do about it?
Here are 4 ways we can start to take action, one day at a time.
Focus on your local community. There’s nothing that triggers my anxiety more than thinking about the damage that has been done all around the world. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve thought “Well, we are all screwed, and this planet is doomed.” Having that mindset has not done me or the environment any good — so I have started shifting my mindset to focus more on my local community. This is where we have the most access and ability to make changes. You can donate to your local environmental group, shop at second hand stores, request for local stores to not use plastic bags, shop at farmers markets, etc.
Be a smarter consumer. Shop from smaller companies, and do your research! There are soo many companies that claim to be green, natural, eco-friendly, etc., but they’re actually not. Research can take some time, but once you start to find companies that are doing their part to help the environment, you will feel so much better! (Instagram is actually a great place to find these companies!) The more we shop at companies like this, the more the bigger companies will eventually have to make changes because their business is going elsewhere.
Go out in nature more. So many of us, including me, have lost touch with nature because we are so consumed with our electronics. The more you go out in nature, the more you appreciate it, and thus the more you will want to do to help it.
Do less, and chill more! We are all running around so much nowadays from driving everywhere, to needing to buy that second cup of coffee, to buying the newest electronic device that we are consuming and producing way too much. Let’s start slowing down and chilling out more :) I know I feel my happiest when I am doing simple things like hanging out with friends, walking outside, watching my favorite shows, etc.
Overtime, I plan on sharing specific methods, companies, products, tips, activities, etc. that I have started implementing in my own life. I still have a lot to go, but I had to get started sooner than later.
If you have any additional ideas for how you help the environment, please comment below.