Reports of growing climate disasters keep arriving. If you continue to read them the result may be an increase in your stress levels. Here are some comments from Lucy Reed of GigMine on possible options for de-stressing while also doing something positive to change the future.

Five Ways to Cope with Climate Anxiety While Making a Difference

Paying attention to climate issues can be stressful, especially when spending hours per week trying to stay informed. Sometimes, it can be easier to check out and not pay attention to prevent an overload of anxiety. Statistics show that 60% of young people feel worried about the environment. Thankfully, there are ways to make an impact while taking care of your mental and physical health. Today, JALA International shares five ways to cope with climate anxiety while making a difference. 

1. Practice Mindfulness

While thinking about the future allows you to make better long-term decisions, it also causes you to feel stressed about problems that have not yet come to fruition. By practicing mindfulness, you can stay in the present moment and take everything as it comes. Following different breathing exercises, eating meals with presence, and following guided meditation will put you in the now. When you do this, you can handle difficulties that come your way with more ease.

2. Find Support

One of the main issues people face today is a lack of a solid social support system. If you lack strong family ties or tend to isolate yourself, it can worsen anxiety symptoms. Try finding groups to participate in that aren’t climate-centered so that you can have positive experiences centered around other areas of interest. Reach out to family and friends more often, or find support groups in your area where people are dealing with similar issues. Finding a therapist or counselor can also be very helpful for developing stress-reducing techniques.

3. Take Action

If your anxiety stems from feeling helpless, taking action can increase the feeling that you are contributing something meaningful. You can educate yourself, share information with others online, recycle, make your home greener, clean up plastic, and much more to gain a sense of control. Although climate change requires a lot of cooperation, doing your part and setting an example will make a positive impact.

4. Pay Attention to Your Health

When you’re stressed, it’s easy to let good habits fall away. Doing this can harm your sense of routine and make it more challenging to deal with tough emotions. Be sure to prioritize yourself by getting enough exercise each day and eating a healthy diet. In addition, your diet is another way you can address climate concerns. By reducing your meat consumption, you can reverse deforestation and reduce water usage. You can even share meatless recipes on your social media to inspire others to do the same.

5. Start an Eco-friendly Business

By starting an environment-focused business, you can make a living while creating change. As more and more people become aware of the importance of greener choices, green businesses become more feasible.
 
Depending on the industry you pursue, there are chances to make a difference throughout the process. From going paperless to reducing your carbon footprint, you can make money while setting an example for others. You can also make your business more environmentally friendly by locating it in a walkable neighborhood.
 
If you choose to do this, you’ll want to create a business plan with financial projections that potential investors can look at. Ideally, your plan will describe your company, show your marketing ideas, and clarify your company structure. This document also has ample opportunity to include your green aspirations and explain that it’s an essential part of your projects. Fortunately, there are many online guides and resources designed to show you the necessary steps to start a new business.
 
By following the tips above, you can reduce your anxiety while still making an impact. Whether you’re coping with stress or starting an eco-friendly business, remember to stay in the present and do the things within your control. By spreading the word and setting an example, you can inspire others to do the same. 

Forging the future

So keep this in mind, especially at 2:00 AM, when you feel the climate stress coming on. Don’t just twitch there; DO something! The world needs positive actions ASAP!