What does eco-anxiety mean?
Eco-anxiety is a feeling of unease that can arise when we think about the severity of climate change. The environmental crisis can make us feel scared or powerless in the face of the awareness that life on our planet is in danger.
Although it has not yet been officially recognized by diagnostic manuals, eco-anxiety is a very widespread phenomenon. For this reason, last May a study was launched on young people, who seem to be the most sensitive to these issues.
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What are the symptoms of eco-anxiety?
Eco-anxiety is a spectrum, and for this reason it can appear at mild or more severe levels. It can also lead us to adopt either an adaptive response (we feel motivated to act and change things) or a maladaptive one (we become passive and withdraw into ourselves).
The most common symptoms of eco-anxiety are:
- panic attacks
- insomnia
- obsessive thoughts
- changes in appetite
Remedies for eco-anxiety: what can you do?
At WildSteps, we strongly believe that only by taking action can we improve. That is why we believe eco-anxiety is not only a disorder, but also an opportunity: it can become a chance to increase our environmental awareness and get closer to nature, actively contributing to its conservation.
Here are some ways you can take action:
1. Talk to someone
Seeking support from people you trust can help ease your concern and, at the same time, can increase awareness among those around you that change is needed.
2. Take action — and have fun!
Take part in group volunteering activities such as beach and green-space clean-ups: in addition to having fun with like-minded people, you will discover the importance of working as a team for a better future.
3. Adopt small daily habits
Every gesture counts: recycling, sorting waste, using sustainable means of transport, buying second-hand clothing, paying closer attention to the food products you consume — these and many other things can help you feel less powerless day after day.
4. Reconnect with nature
Nature must be protected, but it also protects us: scientific studies on ecopsychology show that spending some time in nature can support our mental well-being.
WildSteps’ contribution
At WildSteps, we prefer action to simple words: our nature-based team-building experiences are fun and regenerative activities, through which your team will not only become more united and relaxed, but will also gain greater environmental awareness.
Our goal is to give you much more than a simple corporate experience: we want your team building to become a journey of personal and collective growth, capable of leaving a positive footprint on the planet.
So: ready to have fun the green way?