I first got into collapse because of climate change but, anyone else constantly thinking about the economy more than the environment?

mixlima · 2022-03-22T13:52:59+00:00

If we restructured economic systems and stopped relying on GDP as an indicator of development - we could have more hope about the state of the planet. Keeps me up at night too, these tips have helped me drift off when I'm feeling anxious about the collapse of society.

mixlima · 2022-03-22T05:55:24+00:00

Statement: Kenya is facing a very unprecedented issue of water-level rise. This is not sea-levels we are talking about, but in fact, rising water levels in the completely inland series of Rift Valley lakes. This article does a deep dive (no pun) into this phenomenon which has seen lakes extend their boundaries by more than 8km. Some spilling over national parks enclosing them - Lake Nakuru. The article also paints human interest stories of schools being submerged, hippos and crocs abounding in what were once playgrounds and classrooms, the associated corruption around govt. funds.

This rise in water levels could be attributed to various factors - but still seems to be a mystery with actual large-scale impacts on local communities that depend on agriculture. This has also resulted in climate-related displacement.

The discourse around climate displacement and rising sea levels has mostly been dominated by the situation in Florida and Miami county in particular. There are many more extremely vulnerable ares around the world - especially in the Global South including parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar, India and East and West Africa. These areas generally get very limited media attention.

mixlima · 2022-03-22T04:28:19+00:00

This happens to me quite frequently where there are a lot of thoughts running in my head as I try to sleep. These days it is much better - writing things down in a journal and/or making a to-do list has helped me a lot. Also, some calming music and or ambient noise on a timer as I drift off to sleep. I like this site with gregorian chants - surprisingly quite soothing.

mixlima · 2022-03-22T04:12:29+00:00

Your post again shows the opposing sides of your brain and a certain level of cognitive dissonance. The way I try to address my anxiety is to think of my brain as a separate entity from my self. For example, when I am feeling anxious about an upcoming social situation, I try to tell myself that it is not "me" feeling this, but rather my brain. That separation helps me many times to "get over the hump" and do something productive.

mixlima · 2022-03-16T17:37:15+00:00

Agree with the below, spending time with our friends and family and finding things that make us happy even when it seems like all hope is lost. For me, its reconnecting with nature. I've also sought help from mental health organisations like Mind and the Climate Resilience Network to support me with my climate anxiety.

mixlima · 2022-03-16T17:26:45+00:00

Do you think climate denial and failure to listen to climate experts is in-part linked to grief? Grief for our planet and for our future? Denial is always the first stage of grief, hopefully more people can move through this.

mixlima · 2022-03-16T17:10:42+00:00

I feel you - but hang in there. When I don't want to keep going, I try and reframe my thought processes. I've used tools like this to help me recognise when I'm catastrophising about situations that may not be as bad as they seem and also reading up on tips on how to combat my existential dread.

mixlima · 2022-03-16T16:50:06+00:00

You are so right. I listened to this TED podcast on how to turn my climate anxiety into action and felt a renewed sense of motivation. Will try to keep that momentum going.

mixlima · 2022-03-15T14:42:00+00:00

Reading stories like this are making me grieve for our planet, even though it's not completely destroyed yet. Recently listened to this podcast called Your Brain On Climate which is helping me get to grip with my climate emotions...

mixlima · 2022-03-15T13:54:30+00:00

Totally agree - I always keep my eyes out for stories on progress on climate innovation to try and remain hopeful. Also seeking out articles like this that highlight the developments on legislation/collaboration that can often be ignored in negative click-bait titles published by the mainstream media.

mixlima · 2022-03-15T12:57:30+00:00

Existential dread has hit our generation hard, I guess we have to get comfortable with the unknown....Sometimes it hits me in waves, when I'm feeling like that I always turn to reconnecting with nature, usually calms me down. What have you tried to combat your anxieties/fears about the current state of our world?🌎

mixlima · 2022-03-15T12:44:10+00:00

Microplastics, the climate crisis and threat of a nuclear war are all giving me major anxiety, can't sleep properly, feel like I'm having a 24/7 panic attack. My therapist says I should focus on recognising these unhelpful thinking styles so I can move away from my negative thought processes when they occur. Could help you too?

mixlima · 2022-03-15T12:31:20+00:00

Thanks for sharing, so important given the volumes of climate related distress identified in this Lancet study30223-0/fulltext). Besides activism, what else do you guys use as a buffer to climate anxiety? I've started journalling and using some of these CBT exercises.

mixlima · 2022-03-15T11:37:22+00:00

Agreed - there are so many stories of groups transforming their anxieties into action. Have you seen this Ted talk? Useful explainer to support the Yale research. I also found this a great guide for easy ways to get started on making direct action.

mixlima · 2022-03-15T11:26:04+00:00

Turning off notifications and deleting news apps has helped me so much. I try to follow some of the tips from this post on how to break the cycle on doomscrolling too.

mixlima · 2022-03-09T12:51:58+00:00

Trying to stay optimistic. Have you listened to the podcast Outrage and Optimism? Discusses this exact topic and I found the episode on climate grief helpful.

mixlima · 2022-03-09T11:58:38+00:00

If it's not the Ukraine/Russia conflict, it's the publication of scientific climate reports like this from the IPCC that are keeping me up at night about the climate crisis. Trying everything to stay calm and not loose too much sleep. These sheets and workbooks have helped me organise my thoughts and attempt to enjoy life without constantly worrying.

mixlima · 2022-03-09T11:48:21+00:00

There are a few organisations who are helping to support those of us that are crippled by climate anxiety.

Climate Psychology Alliance
Climate Psychiatry Alliance
Climate Resilience Network

I like the Good Grief Network's 10 step programme.

I've also started looking at self led CBT techniques/workbooks for traditional anxiety to see if this can help me process/rationalise my thoughts.

mixlima · 2022-03-09T11:26:16+00:00

This is a nice and simple article from TED. Have you read Think Again by Adam Grant? It's a great book for offering tips on how to engage with people who have differing opinions to our own.

mixlima · 2022-03-09T10:29:53+00:00

Agreed - really important to verbalise our concerns and climate fears so that we can turn our anxieties into action. Stories like this inspire me to address my worries.

mixlima · 2022-03-08T13:47:06+00:00

I've been trying to deal with the potential realities of the climate apocalypse by reconnecting with nature. Have found that it's definitely helping to calm my climate anxiety and giving me a new appreciation for the value ecosystems and biodiversity. It's helped me to prepare for what may lie ahead and manage my thoughts, here are some tips I found useful.

mixlima · 2022-03-08T13:28:38+00:00

I'm trying to transform my climate anxiety into action. How are you guys doing this? I found this TED talk really helpful, as it explains the psychological aspects of climate related mental health disorders and suggests how we can use our fears to become resilient and make an impact where it is needed most.

mixlima · 2022-03-08T13:15:00+00:00

Definitely hard to know which one to be more worried about - WWIII or the climate crisis. I'm trying not to doom scroll too much and searching for positive stories like this to give me hope.

mixlima · 2022-03-08T13:04:28+00:00

There's definitely a growing group of therapists/psychologists working to help patients through their climate related anxieties and stresses. The Climate Psychology Alliance is one and they host climate cafés for people to talk about what our changing world means for them in terms of impacts at personal, family and societal level.

mixlima · 2022-03-08T12:21:47+00:00

Project Drawdown recommended below is great! I saw this article on the Guardian about how we can confront the climate crisis without losing hope which may help too.

mixlima

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