With increasing focus on the effects of global warming being high on the agenda and the media's presentation of environmental concerns, it's natural to feel worried about the future. Environmental anxiety (also known as eco-anxiety) is the feeling of overwhelming dread that comes from living in a world that feels out of control. It is becoming more and more common in today's society, with many people feeling the effects and struggling to cope with their emotions.

What are the symptoms of environmental anxiety?

If you feel anxious about the environment and the world we live in, you may feel the symptoms of environmental anxiety, which include:

• Feeling helpless or powerless. You may feel like you're unable to make a difference or that there's nothing you can do about the situation.
• Feeling very pessimistic about the future. You might think that things seem quite bleak, and that our impact on the environment is becoming irreversible. If you have children, your concern may be about their future and what kind of world they will inherit.
• Finding it difficult to sleep or focus on tasks because your mind keeps turning back to this topic and your concerns.

How to manage eco anxiety

If you feel anxious about the future and your growing concerns about the environment, there are things you can do to help you manage your emotions:

Accept your feelings. Try not to suppress them or ignore them. Your emotions are valid and you should focus on finding ways to reframe your concerns so you can manage your emotions better

Take action – you could think about getting involved in environmental projects so you feel like you are helping the planet, even though it may seem like an overwhelming task at first.

Connect with others who share your concerns - joining a community of like-minded people online or in person so you can discuss your emotions and share your concerns might help.

Spend time in nature: you may like to go on walks where there are no distractions and just listen to yourself think; meditate by looking at trees or waterfalls; take photos of plants and animals around you that might not exist if we continue down our current path of destruction.

Speak to a professional. Together, you can explore your emotions in depth and find ways to better manage your emotions so you can cope with them in your day to day life.

We hope this article has helped you understand what eco anxiety is and how it can affect your life. We know how difficult it can be to deal with these symptoms, but we also know that there are ways to manage them so that they don't overwhelm you or interfere with daily activities.

If you're struggling with eco anxiety or other mental health issues, please reach out to Hope and Harmony for help!