Climate Anxiety: 8 Ways to Cope

Climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety, is no longer a fringe concern. In 2025, it's a widespread emotional response to the escalating climate crisis. As extreme weather events become more frequent and the impacts of global warming more tangible, many individuals find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of fear, helplessness, and grief.

What is Climate Anxiety?

Climate anxiety is defined as: “extreme worry about current and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change.” It refers to the chronic fear of environmental doom. It's characterised by persistent worries about the future of the planet and the well-being of current and future generations. Unlike general anxiety disorders, climate anxiety is rooted in real, observable changes in the environment and the perceived inaction of global leaders.

Is Climate Anxiety a Mental Health Disorder?

Not exactly.

While it shares some features with generalised anxiety, climate anxiety is not officially classified as a mental health disorder. Many psychologists describe it as a “rational response to an existential threat.”

That said, climate anxiety can trigger or exacerbate existing mental health issues, such as:

• Depression

• Panic attacks

• Insomnia

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or helplessness

It could present itself as a knot you get in your stomach when reading a news article or a racing heart when discussing the future of the planet with a friend. We should, however, be careful not to frame climate anxiety as an “illness”. Whilst it can be part of larger generalised anxiety disorders, it’s also possible - and common - to experience it solely in response to rational concerns about the future of the planet. While it may not be a diagnosable disorder, it is very real - and it deserves to be taken seriously.

Why Are We Feeling More Climate Anxiety in 2025?

Recent surveys highlight the growing prevalence of climate anxiety:

• 57% of UK adults report that the climate crisis affects their mental health

• This rises to 63% among those aged 16 to 24

• A 2021 study published in The Lancet found that 59% of children and young people globally were “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change

• In the same study, 45% said climate-related distress affected their daily life and ability to function

The issue isn’t just worsening climate conditions. It’s also the constant flow of negative news, the lack of meaningful government action, and the perceived futility of individual effort.

Add to that the record-breaking temperatures, wildfires in Europe and North America, and extreme flooding in the Global South — it’s no wonder climate anxiety has become part of our collective mental health landscape.

 

Common Symptoms of Eco Anxiety

Because it’s not listed in clinical diagnostic manuals, there’s no fixed list of symptoms. But people who experience climate anxiety often report:

• Constant worrying about the future of the planet

• Intrusive thoughts related to environmental destruction

• Feelings of helplessness or paralysis

• Anger toward government inaction or climate deniers

• Guilt for not doing “enough”

• Isolation or alienation from friends who don’t share the same level of concern

• Difficulty sleeping

• Changes in appetite

• Existential dread or questioning

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

8 Ways to Cope with Climate Anxiety

Let’s be clear — climate anxiety is not something to “fix” or “eliminate.” It’s something to acknowledge, manage, and use as fuel for personal and collective change. Here are eight science-backed ways to cope:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings Without Judgment

Suppressing emotions tends to amplify them. The first step is to validate your experience. You're not being dramatic or irrational - you're responding to a very real crisis.

Psychologists recommend journaling your thoughts or speaking openly with others who share your concerns. Normalising these feelings helps reduce the shame or guilt that often accompanies climate distress.

Remember: being anxious about the planet means you care deeply about it. That’s not weakness - that’s empathy in action.

2. Limit Your News Intake and Avoid Doomscrolling

Staying informed is important, but constant exposure to climate headlines can create emotional burnout. The key is to be intentional.

• Set a daily time limit for news and social media (e.g., 20 minutes max)

• Follow at least one account focused on positive climate news, such as @earthrise.studio or @goodgoodgoodco

• Unfollow accounts that leave you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless

Try a “climate detox” - one day a week where you disconnect from all news and doomscrolling.

3. Focus on Actionable, Low-Stress Swaps

One of the best antidotes to helplessness is taking manageable action. Start with small, sustainable changes that fit your lifestyle:

• Switch to a plastic-free laundry detergent, like Spruce Laundry Sheets

• Use waterless, refillable cleaners to cut down on single-use plastic waste and lower carbon footprint, like our Starter Kits

• Opt for secondhand clothing over fast fashion, like Thrift+

• Walk or cycle when possible instead of short car journeys

These changes aren’t just symbolic. They reduce your carbon footprint and remind you that personal agency still matters.

4. Connect With Others

Climate anxiety often thrives in isolation. The good news is, millions of people feel the same way — and they’re starting to connect.

• Join local or online eco-communities

• Attend peaceful climate protests or clean-up events

• Host a climate-themed book club or film night

• Follow activist networks like Climate Cafés or Extinction Rebellion

Even a casual conversation with a climate-aware friend can ease the sense of overwhelm.

5. Practice Eco-Grief Rituals

Psychologist and eco-theorist Joanna Macy talks about the importance of grieving what we are losing. It's okay to mourn the extinction of species, loss of coral reefs, or the idea that the planet will always be predictable.

Ways to process eco-grief:

• Write a letter to a place in nature you love

• Plant a tree or native species in honour of something lost

• Hold a symbolic moment of silence or ceremony

• Engage with nature art or music that helps you express emotion

Rituals create emotional closure and make room for forward movement.

6. Spend More Time in Nature

Nature is the very thing we're trying to protect — and it also happens to be an incredible healer.

Time in green or blue spaces is shown to:

• Lower cortisol (stress hormone)

• Improve mood and concentration

• Restore emotional balance

• Increase our sense of purpose and connection

Even if you live in a city, take regular walks in parks, gardens, or near water. Reconnecting with the Earth is both the goal and the therapy.

7. Take Care of Your Body and Mind

It’s easy to burn out when you’re carrying the emotional weight of a global crisis. Self-care isn’t indulgent — it’s fuel for resilience.

Try:

• Yoga, breathing exercises or guided meditation

• Saying no to overcommitment

• Eating nourishing, low-impact meals

• Sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night

• Logging off digital devices by 9pm

You’re part of nature. If you don’t look after yourself, you won’t have energy to protect the planet.

8. Know When to Seek Professional Support

If climate anxiety is starting to impact your daily life — disrupting your work, relationships or ability to function — it’s time to ask for help.

Resources in the UK:

• Anxiety UK offers free guides and therapy options (anxietyuk.org.uk)

• The Mix provides under-25s with text and phone support (themix.org.uk)

• NHS Talking Therapies services (self-refer via your GP)

• Climate Psychology Alliance UK offers climate-aware therapists (climatepsychologyalliance.org)

Our Role at Spruce

At Spruce, we exist because of — not despite — the climate crisis. We know individual action alone won’t solve global warming. But small collective steps can lead to big structural shifts.

That’s why we offer non-toxic, refillable cleaning products and laundry sheets without microplastics, so you can reduce waste and pollution without compromising your health or your time.

 

Final Thoughts: Hope is a Verb

Hope isn’t passive. It’s something you create through action, community, and care. If you’re feeling anxious about the state of the planet, that means you’re awake — and that’s a powerful thing.

Let this be your reminder:

• You are not alone

• Your choices matter

• Progress is possible

For more support, subscribe to the Spruce newsletter for healthy living inspiration, eco-tips, and community events. And check out our full collection of climate-conscious cleaning and laundry products to start making easy changes today. 

Stay well!