Dealing with eco-anxiety
When you think about trees, the ocean, or the woods, you’re supposed to feel relaxed and happy, right? But… What happens when that soothing feeling vanishes due to thinking about oil spillings, indiscriminate logging, or toxic air? If thinking about climate change and environmental pollution makes you feel a lack of hope, frustration, and worry, you may be dealing with ‘eco-anxiety.’
In this newsletter, we will dive into the concept of this emotional burden, how to manage it, and what to do for Earth from a mindfulness perspective. This is our agenda:
?? Put yourself first: The Earth needs it
Maybe you're like me. I walk down the street and see someone in need and feel the urge to do something, whether it's monetary help, food, or clothing. When I see an animal shelter that needs help, I must find a way to support it. And let's not even start with the issue of whales and indiscriminate hunting. The desire to help is within me. But… I just can't help everyone.
If you're a highly sensitive person, chances are you feel really stressed with news of massive fires, the extinction of certain animals, and communities in need. Here's where the concept of 'eco-anxiety' comes to the table.
Eco-anxiety is distress about climate change and its impacts on the planet and human existence. Some signs you may be dealing with it are:
If you recognize these signs, it's crucial to understand that it's not your fault. To truly support the planet, you must prioritize your mental health. Self-care is not selfish; it's a necessary step towards a healthier, more sustainable future.
Your care and concern for the planet are commendable. However, when this passion becomes overwhelming, it can lead to negative behaviors and thought patterns. Remember, you have the power to make a difference, but it starts with taking care of yourself.
To help you with this situation, you can ask yourself the following questions. Remember, always explore these reflections with self-compassion:?
?? The kindness we show toward the stars
'The Three-Body Problem' is one of the newest Netflix shows. Based on a book of the same name, the story is about an alien invasion that's supposed to occur within 400 years. These aliens do not come in peace, though. The show's main characters display a wide range of emotions regarding the news.
Some feel it's not really their problem; after all, this is happening within 400 years. Some are desperate to make contact and understand why or how this will happen. And others, despite wanting a peaceful solution, decide to live their lives the best they can with what there is.
When talking about eco-anxiety, according to Yale studies, there's no particular sector of the population that feels it. It's something people of all ages, races, and genders experience.
And one of the possible ways to deal with this phenomenon is actually within the book itself:?
"... But when they [humans] gaze up at the stars, they turn sentimental and believe that if extraterrestrial intelligences exist, they must be civilizations bound by universal, noble, moral constraints, as if cherishing and loving different forms of life are parts of a self-evident universal code of conduct. I think it should be precisely the opposite: Let's turn the kindness we show toward the stars to members of the human race on Earth."
领英推荐
― Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem
?? To dream the water
In Argentina, there's a magnificent museum of art: Malba. In it, there was an exhibition by the talented and transcendental Cecilia Vicu?a, a Chilean artist and poet. It's called "To dream the water, a retrospective of the future."
You can check the mini-documentary about it on YouTube: Cecilia Vicu?a - To dream the water (Since it's in Spanish, you can use the YouTube automatic translation tool to put it in your language of preference). And whyare we talking about this? Because in the documentary, she performs a ritual to honor the rivers.
In Cecilia's fascinating words: "The weaver sees her fiber as the poet sees her word. The thread feels the hand as the word feels the tongue. Structures of meaning in the double sense of feeling. The word and the thread feel our passing. When there is a river still flowing, it must be honored. It must be touched. Caressed. Cared for. Protected. (...) Rivers are living beings. They are life."
When you find yourself overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and frustration due to climate change, remember what we discussed in this newsletter. Protect yourself, and honor nature and others the way you can. Sometimes, the way you can is donating to an environmental organization, other times is joining climate change protests, and others is simply touching nature and expressing gratitude toward it.
?? Content recommendation and what’s new
Test
Find our test in the "Today" tab, and discover a program to manage eco-anxiety. You will find special playlists, meditations, and content to develop coping skills, acceptance, and motivation.
3 New ASMR Sounds
Thank you for joining us today! We encourage you to take our test to manage eco-anxiety in case you are dealing with it. And remember, the Earth does need you, but to truly help it, you also need to take care of yourself.
Send this newsletter to someone who could also benefit from today’s reflections. And see you next week!