Eco-Anxiety: How Climate Change Quietly Wears on Our Mental Health

A few nights ago, I was lying awake at 1:30 a.m., phone in hand, scrolling through footage of a wildfire on the other side of the world. I’m not even close to the area, but still, I couldn’t look away. The flames, the smoke, the people fleeing with pets tucked under their arms—it just hit me. I turned off my phone and stared at the ceiling, feeling this deep, sinking worry in my chest.

And that’s when it really dawned on me: this wasn’t just empathy. This was anxiety. And not the kind tied to work deadlines or relationships. This was something else entirely—something about the planet, about the future. Something bigger.

It’s called eco-anxiety, and chances are, if you’re reading this, you might know exactly what I mean.

What Is Eco-Anxiety, Really?

Eco-anxiety isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the emotional weight people carry because of the climate crisis. It’s worry mixed with helplessness. It’s guilt mixed with grief. And while it’s not officially classified as a clinical disorder, it’s being felt by more and more people every day—especially younger generations.

It can feel like a pit in your stomach when you see polar bears clinging to melting ice. Or that sharp pang of guilt when you forget your reusable bags at the grocery store. Sometimes it’s a general unease, like something is deeply wrong and you can’t quite fix it.

A global survey in The Lancet found that 6 in 10 young people feel “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change. Over 50% reported sadness, anger, helplessness, and guilt. And the thing is—it’s not irrational. These fears are grounded in very real, very visible change.

A Personal Experience

I started noticing it more last year. I was walking through the park I’ve been going to since I was a kid, and something felt... off. The grass was dry and patchy. The little stream that used to bubble along the path was nearly dry. There were fewer birds, fewer flowers. It was subtle, but it felt like a warning.

I went home and couldn’t stop thinking about it. What used to feel like a peaceful escape started to feel like a ticking clock.

That night I found myself spiraling: What kind of world are we leaving behind? Are we doing enough? Am I doing enough?

That’s the trap of eco-anxiety—it makes you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the entire world on your shoulders.

So What Do We Do With These Feelings?

The first thing I had to learn was this: eco-anxiety isn’t something you have to get rid of. It’s something to listen to. It’s a signal that you care. And caring is not a weakness—it’s a strength.

Still, it can feel incredibly heavy. So here are a few things that helped me—and might help you too:

1. Set Healthy Limits on Climate News

I used to feel like I had to stay updated all the time. But I learned that being constantly plugged into the doom doesn’t make me more helpful—it just makes me more anxious. Now, I check environmental news maybe twice a week. I stay informed, but I don’t let it flood my every day.

2. Take Small, Purposeful Actions

I used to feel like if I wasn’t going zero-waste or living off-grid, I was failing. But even little things matter—using less plastic, eating more plant-based meals, supporting sustainable brands. I joined a local clean-up day in my town, and it honestly made me feel hopeful again. Not because I saved the world—but because I wasn’t doing nothing.

3. Talk About It

Eco-anxiety can feel isolating, especially when people around you don’t seem to care. But opening up—whether it’s to a friend, a support group, or a therapist—helps take some of the pressure off. Saying “I’m scared about the future” out loud somehow makes it easier to carry.

4. Reconnect with Nature Without the Pressure to “Fix” It

This one surprised me. I thought being around nature would make me more anxious, more aware of how much we’re losing. But instead, it grounded me. Go for a walk. Lay in the grass. Watch the birds. These small, quiet moments can be healing. They remind us of what we’re protecting—and why it’s worth it.

You're Not Alone

I want you to know: if you’re feeling this kind of heaviness, you’re not weird or overreacting. You’re human. You’re empathetic. And in a world that often encourages us to numb out, that’s kind of amazing.

What helped me most was realizing that I don’t have to carry all the answers. I just have to care, and do what I can, where I am. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.

Final Thought

We’re all trying to make sense of a world that feels increasingly unstable. And eco-anxiety, as uncomfortable as it is, might just be a sign that we’re waking up to the reality—and importance—of our connection to the planet.

Let yourself feel it. But don’t let it break you. Let it move you. Let it push you toward community, toward purpose, toward hope.

Because even in the face of something as big as climate change, hope is still a radical, powerful choice.

And it starts with you.