Eco-Anxiety and Finding Outdoor Connections
Destination BC | Dave Heath photo
Eco-anxiety can mask itself in various ways and may not always be obvious.
The past two years have been very challenging for British Columbians. We have been dealing with an ongoing global pandemic restricting travel and reducing social interaction, and on top of that, we have experienced several extreme weather events in our own backyard. We have seen heat domes causing record-breaking temperatures and forest fires to atmospheric rivers causing mudslides and flooding that cut the interior from the coast.
First, What is Eco-Anxiety?
“Eco-anxiety refers to a fear of environmental damage or ecological disaster. This sense of anxiety is largely based on the current and predicted future state of the environment and human-induced climate change.” (Huizen, 2019).
Anxiety has been on the rise, especially when we have had severe weather-related events happening one after the other, leaving many with feelings of helplessness and a sense of despair.
How does eco-anxiety affect people?
Eco-anxiety can mask itself in various ways and may not always be obvious. Climate change or the worry about climate change can lead to eco-anxiety. It can also lead to depression, reduced feelings of control, feelings of helplessness, fatalism and fear. Prolonged, chronic stress, which takes a toll on our mental and physical health, increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health issues.
How to manage eco-anxiety?
Here are some tips to help cope with stress and a sense of doom:
Take positive action by talking to others about good environmental practices
Find social connection and emotional support by joining an outdoor group in your area
Get outdoors and foster a stronger connection with nature
Stay active - regular exercise, and especially outside, is proven to reduce anxiety
the importance of getting outdoors
Being active outdoors is so important, it provides an instant stress-relief and helps to connect with nature and appreciate its beauty. Even if it’s just for a short thirty minutes a day, you will feel better for it.
If possible, consider switching your daily commute to a mode of active transportation like walking or biking. In this way, you're not only reducing reliance on fossil fuels but also creating positive action towards your health.
Getting outside provides you with multiple benefits:
Natural sunlight lifts the mood.
Boosts the immune system.
Enhances creativity and productivity.
Outdoor recreation allows us to remember and value the more important things in life like our relationships, sharing and the community.
We obviously value the importance of getting outside and so do our members. Have a look through our membership directory and you may even get inspired to try a new activity such as horse riding, climbing, fly fishing, bird watching, hiking, mountain biking and more!
resources:
Medical News Today: What to know about eco-anxiety
Protect Our Winters: Eco-anxiety and Advocacy Burnout
Eco-anxious stories: Resource
CTV News: Crisis in B.C. will contribute to climate mental health woes: expert
References:
Coppola, I. (2021). Eco-Anxiety in “the Climate Generation”: Is Action an Antidote? University of Vermont. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=envstheses.
Huizen, J. (2019, Dec. 19). What to know about eco-anxiety. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327354.
Mental Floss. (n.d.). 11 Scientific Benefits of Being Outdoors. Mental Floss. https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/apa-format/how-to-cite-a-website-apa/
Pashley, T. (2019, June 19). Physical, Social, Emotional and Intellectual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation. Livestrong.com. https://www.livestrong.com/article/493323-physical-social-emotional-intellectual-benefits-of-outdoor-recreation./
