It’s human to be concerned about climate change. The American Psychological Association (2017) even termed the “chronic fear of environmental doom” as eco-distress or climate anxiety. The state of being worried about climate change has become so commonplace that it has been given a name. While the many health benefits of yoga are touted often, they may become more obvious to you personally if you direct your yoga practice towards dealing with a specific issue. In the instance of climate change, a yoga practice could help you manage your climate anxiety.
1. Take a physical and mental inventory
Sometimes the effects of anxiety are felt in the body before your mind even registers that something is bothering you. An increased heart rate and tense muscles are obvious signs that the body is preparing to fight or take flight, the body’s natural reaction to stress. The effects of long-term stress are numerous and harmful, so addressing how stressed out you may be is the first step in handling your climate anxiety. When you give yourself time on the mat, you have the opportunity to pause and take an inventory of how you feel, both physically and mentally. Ask yourself, “What is my body trying to tell me?”
2. Face your fears
Not accepting climate change will make the consequences of it more upsetting. If you are worried about climate change, then allow yourself to think about any specific fears you may have. For example, if you live near a coastal area and you’re worried about flooding, then imagine what you would do if there was a flood. Confronting fears directly like this gives them less power over you. You might think, “We should prepare ourselves by forming a disaster plan,” or you may ask yourself, “Is there anything that we can do to help prevent that from happening?” With acceptance, your climate change outlook could become less anxiety-inducing and more solution-driven.
3. Practice outside
More evidence is proving that time in nature is good for our health. The mental benefits of spending time in nature include reduced levels of anxiety. Simply take your yoga practice or meditation time into your own backyard or nearby outdoor space. When that’s not possible, practice in front a window or in sight of indoor plant-life. Just the sight of something found in nature can have calming effects on the mind.
4. Make a positive change
While meditating, think about what you can do to improve the state of climate change. Some of what you come up with may seem too big or not big enough. Pick one thing you can start doing that you know you can accomplish. Just by making the choice to take some practical action against the effects of climate change will help offset some of your anxiety. Focus on what you have control over, and think of yourself and your homestead as a small business with expenditures. Become a more mindful consumer, and think of every purchase as a vote; find out if you support the way some of your everyday items are made.
5. Spend more time with your fellow yogis
Talk to your fellow yoga practitioners, especially if you have a yoga class that you regularly attend or you have other close friends who practice yoga. It’s likely that other people with similar interests will also have similar concerns. Psychological studies show that people who feel connected to others experience lower levels of anxiety and depression (Dr. Emma Seppala of Stanford University). Knowing that you are not the only one who is concerned about climate change may provide you with some solace. You may also be able to work with others in finding ways to be more environmentally responsible together.
The commonality between all of these suggestions is connectedness, such as taking the time to reconnect your mind and body through the asanas. It may be helpful to think of your anxiety in terms of connection. If you feel anxious in your body first, then ask yourself what’s stressing you out? If you’re upset about something, ask yourself if there’s anything you can do to help? The issue of climate change and how to handle it is overwhelming, but overwhelming yourself by being in a rush to handle your anxiety isn’t going to help. Begin by setting ten minutes in your day aside to sit on your mat: meditate, flow through the asanas, and allow yourself to confront your concerns. In times of fear, turn your focus to what can be done.
Works Cited: Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection | Photography by Maria Orlova
