Climate Action
5 Ways To Weather Climate Anxiety
December 10, 2025
When we think of climate change, we tend to think of dramatic things that we can see. Hurricanes hitting the east coast of the U.S and the Caribbean with extra ferocity and frequency. A starving polar bear, stranded on a melting, floating ice sheet. Wildfires, raging through forests from Canada to Australia, killing people, wildlife, wiping out communities, and ruining lives.
These are the reasons environmental advocates fight so urgently to amplify the realities of the climate crisis we all share. But while some communities face the visible, immediate consequences—the floods, fires, and extreme weather—many others experience a quieter, less tangible impact: climate anxiety.
Climate change is an existential threat, and understanding the magnitude of that threat can intensify mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and create barriers to pursuing their goals—including efforts to help the planet. But there are ways to cope.
1. Name Feelings Without Guilt
As of 2022, 61% of people under 30 feel guilty about the impact they have on the environment. This is a sign that we care about the world we live in. However, unresolved environmental guilt can lead people to fixate on their individual actions while losing sight of larger systemic issues, leaving them trapped in a cycle of worry and feeling that they are never “doing enough.”
Mental health is already stigmatized, and difficult to talk about, without guilt added on top of it. So it is important to remember that, while saving the world is important, so is your mental well-being. Plus, practicing self-care, seeking support, and talking about your feelings with friends can help you process guilt without letting it spiral and without self-judgment.
Remember to focus on what you can influence: Small, consistent actions (like reducing waste, minimizing your plastic usage, using public transport when you can, conserving energy, or voting for planet friendly politicians) are meaningful without being overwhelming. This approach will help you avoid burnout, which will make you a better pro-planet activist.
2. Build Community
Connecting with a community is key so you can share your concerns with like-minded people who can provide support and perspective, and will help you see the bigger picture.
We all know climate deniers, but there’s another, quieter response to the climate crisis that we should all be mindful of – some people who care deeply about the planet struggle to really understand the facts and struggle in silence. “Climate dissociation” can make people feel numb, detached, or disconnected from reality, an unconscious shield against overwhelming trauma. It’s not denial; it’s the mind’s way of coping with a world on fire. It is our mind’s way of trying to protect us by severing us from reality.
Experts say the best way to manage the dread that climate change invokes in us, without falling into dissociation, is to practice resilience-building activities with a like-minded community.
Communities help people feel validated, especially when we have strong feelings about a crisis that has been far too normalized. Belonging to a group can empower us so we are less likely to retreat into ourselves.
So, think about being a volunteer or joining a group – you can plant trees to restore forests and urban tree coverage, join a cleanup, help underserved communities, go on marches and events, and find a local green activist group. Join the EARTHDAY.ORG movement – and volunteer with us! But find your people!
3. Limit Social Media
Social media algorithms are designed to hold your attention, and because our brains tend to fixate on negative or frightening things these apps show us that kind of content to make sure we keep scrolling.
This creates feelings of stress and powerlessness, which may potentially trap people in a “cycle of consumption and psychological distress,” which is colloquially called “doomscrolling.” People who’ve experienced trauma are particularly susceptible, because these feelings remind them of past times when they experienced harm and had little agency.
Sometimes, it might be hard to know whether we’re doomscrolling or just trying to stay informed. Susan Tapert, a renowned psychologist at the San Diego School of Medicine in the U.S., says that if you’re scrolling for hours, feel more drained instead of inspired, or are losing sleep because of social media or news habits, it’s probably crossed the line into being unhealthy.
To help avoid this, you can shut off notifications or set a limited amount of time for social media or news browsing. Go read a book, listen to music, have a walk or take up a new hobby instead!
4. Find Ways To Have Fun
Fighting climate change is work, and the impacts of the climate crisis are personal. However, the rise of “climate comedy,” when standups, films, or other media make pro-environmentalist jokes, shows us that humor still has a place in this fight.
According to NBC News Washington, these types of comedic acts can help people alleviate stress about important topics while raising awareness. Other studies suggest that, when the leaders of organizations have a good sense of humor, their followers can be more effective and have a greater sense of well-being.
How do we look that horror in the eyes and let it look back at us and then give it a little wink?
Comedian Brad Einstein, on climate change
That’s not to say that all humor is healthy — for example, patterns of self-deprecating humor can be tied to low self-esteem, and sometimes, people might joke about painful things to avoid their emotions.
However, being serious all the time, even about issues as serious as climate change, is a very difficult way to move through the world. So, in your activism, it’s okay to do something fun. Paint funny protest signs. Laugh at greedy corporations. Write stories about planet-destroying zombies if you want to. Because what helps you have fun, helps you to stay engaged.
5. Connect With Nature
In our fight to protect nature, we can’t forget the reasons we love it. This is especially true for people with eco-anxiety, because, as it turns out, spending even ten to twenty minutes per day outside can reduce stress. It can also give us hope to see nature thrive, in spite of the challenges the Earth is facing.
There are a lot of ways to connect with nature. Planting flowers, fruits, or vegetables can help give people a sense of purpose and agency. Nature walks can lower cortisol, a stress hormone, by 15%, and help people become happier and healthier. While it might not come easily, we can come to new perspectives and improve our lives by allowing ourselves to be calm and connected.
An essential part of treating mental health is understanding it, and the problems that cause it (in this case, climate change), so they can be named and addressed. That’s one reason why EARTHDAY.ORG believes climate education is so important. We believe that, regardless of where we live, our resources, or identities, we all deserve access to liberating knowledge.
We offer a wide range of free climate education resources designed to help people—especially students around the world—understand what’s happening to our planet and learn how to be part of the solution. We encourage everyone who cares to get involved in systemic change: advocate for climate policies, support like-minded organizations, and participate in community projects. These actions not only amplify your impact beyond individual choices but also remind you that you are part of a larger, global effort.
This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.