WHAT IS ECO ANXIETY? IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS
![What is ECO anxiety? learn all about it](https://rollandfeel.smokingpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/what-is-eco-anxiety.jpg)
Does the climate crisis make you eco anxious? Does the state of the environment depress you? Perhaps you suffer from eco-anxiety or solastalgia.
Anger, sadness, anxiety, stress… The prospects for the climate, our planet and our civilizations can arouse a variety of negative emotions. We hear more and more about eco-anxiety and solastalgia, but what exactly is it? Is it an illness? Are we all equal in front of this phenomenon?
What is eco-anxiety?
Eco-anxiety would be “a chronic fear of environmental catastrophe”, according to the definition given by the American Psychological Association. Some present it as pre-traumatic stress because it’s an anticipatory anxiety of the uncertainty of the effects of climate change. Affected individuals live with psychological consequences related to this fear of the future, which prevent them from projecting themselves into the future in a peaceful manner.
The trigger of eco-anxiety can be different depending on the person. It can be linked to :
- A direct stress, such as a trauma related to climate change. In Belgium, for example, this is what many people felt following the floods that took place in the summer of 2021. They have directly experienced the consequences of climate change.
- An indirect stress. One can feel eco-anxiety when one hasn’t been affected by an event. For example, when one learns via the media or social networks about what might happen in the near future. Eco-anxiety can be triggered in various circumstances: the birth of a child, watching a movie, reading scientific reports of the IPCC, noting social and geopolitical inequalities… Or even without a unique and identified trigger.
The concept of eco-anxiety is not new, since the word, which associates ecology and anxiety, was invented in 1996 by the Belgian-Canadian physician-researcher Véronique Lapaige. It isn’t a phenomenon specific to our time, but it’s the first time that words have been put to the problem.
Although “eco-anxiety” is the term most often used, both in the media and in research on the subject, some find it too simplistic as it doesn’t represent all the facets and emotions associated with it.
Eco-anxiety: A pathology to be taken seriously?
Solastalgia can be considered today as a pathology. Generating insomnia, sadness or chronic depressive states that may require, sometimes, a psychological follow-up.
There are psychoanalysts and psychotherapists specialized in eco-anxiety. Although they are still very rare. There are a number of young people who decide to consult for other problems than eco-anxiety. But in the end by digging into their ills, the psychotherapists discover that their malaise comes from solastalgia. It happens that some shrinks who aren’t aware of the subject misdiagnose their patients.
Eco-anxiety affects the upper and educated social classes in a significant way. They are aware of the changes they will have to make in their consumption practices. But it affects more environmental activists, young people and even children who in some cases develop obsessive-compulsive disorders.
For example, we know people (and surely, you do too) who don’t want to have children later on because of this.
What are the symptoms of eco-anxiety?
A whole range of emotions is associated with this environmental anxiety:
- anxiety
- intense stress
- sadness
- anger
- depression
- feeling of helplessness
- feeling of injustice
- guilt
- exhaustion
- frustration
- loss of meaning
These emotions don’t manifest themselves in the same way in everyone (or even all the time in the same person).
Other symptoms
Other manifestations can result from eco-anxiety: insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, muscle tension, a lump in the stomach, isolation, paralysis when faced with future choices, ruminations, a “bulimic” search for information or actions, loss of appetite, motivation or energy…
Some aspects of life can be impacted by eco-anxiety: family life, relationships with loved ones, choice of studies or work… 39% of young people would be afraid to have children in the future because of uncertainties related to climate change.
However, these feelings don’t necessarily only have negative consequences. For some people, they can also lead to action, creation, commitment… Or they can result in a professional rethink, or a change of job to get closer to one’s values!
How can we position ourselves and continue to be happy in this context?
In concrete terms, solastalgia translates into a feeling of distress, anxiety, sadness or sometimes anger. The eco-anxiety is clearly a feeling of personal awareness, one feels alone in this situation. Alone and powerless, especially when one feels that others aren’t always receptive to this subject.
Moreover, this eco-anxiety is stimulated by successive bad news, which favors the feeling of anxiety. Thus, eco-anxiety is expected to become more and more widespread as climate change increases. So, how can we reduce this anxiety?
- Calming thoughts through meditation and ecopsychology
- Educate yourself: More generally, to calm your thoughts, you can start by reading up on these topics.
- Acting on your own scale: We can also think about how to act at our scale. How to act in the way that suits us best. Nobody is perfect but there are many things we can do to act.
- Communicate: Talk about it. We think it’s essential to communicate and talk about environmental problems around us, to our family, friends and relatives.
- Join an association:There are a lot of environmental associations and the fact of being part of them, of acting at one’s own level, allows one to calm one’s mind and to be in coherence with one’s values and thoughts.
In this way, feeling more involved would help to calm the anxiety related to the climate. We aren’t alone and powerless in front of it. And even if the subject doesn’t make us all anxious, we invite you to act and talk about it around you!
RECENT POSTS
HOW TO GET OVER A BREAKUP: SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU
To learn how to overcome a romantic breakup, you must keep in mind that although it is a difficult task to achieve, the truth is that you can always move forward. Human resilience will help you overcome any adversity. The breakup of a couple is a painful experience, an overwhelming situation that affects you physically, […]
BAD COUPLE TATTOOS: HORRIBLE BUT FUNNY!
Obtaining a tattoo on the body is a desire that nearly everyone wishes to accomplish in their lifetime. Making mistakes is a natural part of life, yet certain individuals have unfortunately selected ill-advised tattoos that come with lasting consequences. These couples have selected mismatched tattoos that won’t simply fade away within a week. Take a […]
ORBITING DATING, WHAT IS IT?
Just when you thought you were getting the hang of what ghosting was, or even the whole stalking thing, along comes another new term: orbiting. It seems like navigating relationships has become even trickier since social media stepped into the scene. New terms and behaviors keep popping up, ones we never had to deal with […]
DOES MARIJUANA HELP WITH STRESS, REAL OR MYTH?
If there’s one thing that marijuana reigns supreme for, it’s because it has always had an incredibly close relationship with stress. The medicinal benefits of cannabis are the solution to everything that stress can generate in our bodies. This leads us precisely to want to delve into cannabis and stress in this post and take […]
SPANNABIS BARCELONA 2024: THE MOST SPECIAL NEWS!
Being in Barcelona for the International Cannabis Awards and Spannabis Fair Week is like visiting the Holy Grail of the marijuana world. Thousands of enthusiasts descended upon the glorious ancient city of Barcelona on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, both as tourists and smokers, eager to immerse themselves in the sights and the smokes. Unfortunately, the […]
GREENWASHING: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?
Every day, people are becoming increasingly aware of their role in society and the need to protect and care for the environment. It’s a conscious and radical shift that allows no delays or hesitations. This has led some companies, whose economic activities affect the environment and health, to significantly reduce their consumption levels and therefore […]
WHY IS MY PHONE GETTING HOT? HOW TO AVOID IT
All phones can experience occasional heat buildup, which becomes problematic when it reaches a level that causes discomfort or triggers unusual behavior. Fortunately, there are simple measures you can take to prevent your phone from overheating. Why does my phone heat up? Typically, phone overheating occurs due to factors such as excessive usage, a stressed […]
TAKE YOUR ADRENALINE TO THE MAXIMUM WITH POWERBOCKING
Powerbocking, also referred to as “power-rizing,” “blade running,” and “jump stilting,” is a sport where athletes utilize specialized leg attachments called jumping stilts. These jumping stilts are curved in form and equipped with springs, enabling users to achieve remarkable heights when jumping. They are known to enhance an athlete’s performance across various activities, with claims […]
UNDERWATER MUSEUM: ART UNDERWATER IN CANCUN
If you love exploring the underwater world, this museum is for you. The Underwater Museum of Art (Museo Subacuático de Arte – MUSA) in Cancun, Mexico, is the perfect destination for all enthusiasts of the underwater world. This incredible underwater museum features a wide variety of artistic installations and sculptures designed for you to enjoy […]
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK: A PLACE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Mount Rainier became a national park because people with different views worked together. They wanted to save its beautiful scenery from being lost forever. Over six years, several businessmen, scientists, educators, mountaineers, and environmentalists united to advocate before Congress to protect Mount Rainier as a national park. Their hard work paid off when President McKinley […]
ROCKVILLE FESTIVAL 2024 LINEUP, ARTISTS, AND MORE
In the vibrant realm of music, Welcome to Rockville has arisen as a beacon for rock and metal enthusiasts. This festival, which had its humble beginnings in Jacksonville, has evolved dramatically, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene. In this editorial journey, we will delve into the history of Welcome to Rockville, from its […]
DEADPOOL 3: THE FAVORITE ANTI-HERO RETURNS
The buzz surrounding the film is undeniable, and with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman returning as one of the most beloved X-Men, Wolverine, many rumors suggest that Deadpool 3 has every chance of becoming the biggest event in the Spider-Man Multiverse. Especially since it will be the only confirmed Marvel Studios film for 2024! What […]
WHAT IS BLACKWORK TATTOO?
Blackwork tattooing is a style that relies exclusively on black ink, favored by many tattoo artists who prioritize its use over other colors. Currently, there’s a significant demand for this style, reflecting its popularity among both artists and clients! Executing blackwork tattoos poses a challenge due to its versatility, encompassing various techniques and design approaches. […]
OSCARS 2024: THE WINNERS OF THE 96TH EDITION
The Oscars might not be breaking any viewership records in recent years. The numbers are dropping, and the competition is getting tougher. Audiences are tuning into streaming platforms or exploring other forms of entertainment like video games, the new big thing in the leisure industry. The Oscars persist and will continue to be a spectacle […]
CANNABIS CAKE: SPACE CAKE RECIPE
Space cakes truly live up to their name. It’s like having your favorite cake but with a magical touch of herb! Almost every coffee shop in Amsterdam has some type of space cake on their menu, and more people are daring to try them to experience a discreet and delicious edible high. The good news […]
SMOKING PAPER TURNS 100 AND CELEBRATES IT: 100 YEARS SHARING!
Smoking Paper Turns 100 Years, discover the contest: 100 years sharing.
Newsletters
Last Minute new From Roll & Feel Sign-up
news
POPULAR CATEGORIES
![logo-roll-and-feel-white logo-roll-and-feel-white](https://rollandfeel.smokingpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/logo-roll-and-feel-white-p3ptfjxp79qzxxesuboes9s1z68lmilhx7fmrsnt40.png)
![](https://rollandfeel.smokingpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Logo-RollandFeel.png)
![](https://rollandfeel.smokingpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bysmoking.png)