Tips For Combating Climate Fatigue

Feeling stressed by climate media and the pressure to live sustainably? You might have climate fatigue. Read experts’ tips to combat it.

While making eco-conscious choices and striving to live sustainably is incredibly rewarding, a constant focus on the environment can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Perhaps you feel your efforts aren’t good enough, find yourself discouraged by the news, or experience burnout on your sustainability journey. 

The feelings described above are known as climate or sustainability fatigue. An alternative definition, provided by Dr. Jim Jackson PsyD, Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt Medical Center, is “the ‘burn out’ people experience when they realize that despite their best efforts at being thoughtful and making environmentally responsible choices, there is often little discernible progress.” 

Identifying Climate Fatigue

It is important to identify symptoms of sustainability fatigue early on in order to take proper care of yourself and avoid exhaustion. Key identifiers to watch out for include:

• Guilt and feeling like you are not doing enough to protect the planet
• Feeling overwhelmed by all the negative environmental news and current state of the planet
• Environmental burnout
• Feeling like your actions are useless

Ways To Combat Climate Fatigue

No need to adopt a doomsday mindset. There are numerous ways to fend off sustainability/climate fatigue. 

Take a media break or only indulge in positive eco news stories

There is no shame in logging off and prioritizing your mental health. Dr. Jay Serle, LMFT, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist, explained, “If you are becoming overwhelmed by negative news or social media coverage, take time out from reading news or viewing social media posts related to climate change.” Scientific studies also highlight the positive impacts of taking a break from using social media channels. A scientific study conducted by researchers at University of Bath in England revealed participants who stayed offline experienced improved moods and lessened levels of anxiety. 

Recharge in nature

When facing climate fatigue, spend some time appreciating nature. Embarking on a hike, watching the sunrise, or going for a swim at the beach are all great ways to reconnect with the earth. Amanda Kruger, a licensed professional counselor in Colorado specializing in burnout, emphasized the importance of interacting with nature, stating, “… a houseplant, pet, hike, or even simply looking out a window can be incredibly soothing. We are natural beings. We belong in nature, and experiencing it firsthand is at least a small reminder that things are not collapsing in this moment.” Additionally, nature truly does have healing powers. A 2019 scientific report revealed that individuals who spent 120+ minutes in nature per week experienced higher levels of health and wellbeing than those who spent less time outside. Even a simple walk or bike ride around your neighborhood is a good starting point. 

Engage In self-reflection

Self-awareness is important when dealing with any sort of issue, including sustainability fatigue. Dr. Jim Jackson PsyD explained, “People who are reflective realize that even if their individual efforts don’t seem to make a giant difference, there is something meaningful and right about their efforts to support environmentalism- the process is right, even if the outcome isn’t immediately gratifying.” Being self-aware means realizing that just because you cannot see a major change does not mean the change is not happening. 

Another important component of self-reflection is taking note of your emotions. It is important to identify what emotions you are feeling, determine the root cause, and create a list of actions you can take to take care of yourself in that moment (hint- use the tips provided in this article!). 

Find Easy-To-Accomplish Sustainability Tasks

A great way to boost morale is to celebrate small wins. Think of small wins as important steps towards your larger goal of being eco-conscious and living sustainably. An example is ditching plastic straws for glass ones, or investing in a reusable dish rag to replace the paper towels in your kitchen. Small wins such as these not only make you feel good, but also lead to increased motivation. Teresa Amabile from Harvard Business School and Steven J. Kramer, an independent researcher, explained in their article The Power of Small Wins that small achievements in the workplace can motivate employees to engage in creative work and experience an improved sense of wellbeing. The same logic applies for small wins in one’s sustainability journey. 

Know That Sustainable Habits Are Not “All or Nothing”

When facing sustainability fatigue, remember that sustainable habits are not “all or nothing.” No one is perfect and can live 100% sustainably 100% of the time. Perfection is not what matters, but rather effort and intention. For example, you do not need to adopt a strict vegan diet to help the planet; you can enjoy a Meatless Monday once a week instead. Check out The Wellness Feed’s “Tips And Tricks For Making Your Day-To-Day More Sustainable” for a list of small changes you can implement into your life to reduce your environmental impact. Remember, you do not need to swap out all of your products in your home for “green” products or give up driving your car- any small act to reduce your carbon footprint is impressive. 

Get Involved in Local Sustainability Efforts

When dealing with feelings of stress, burnout, and anxiety, it is important to lean on a strong support system. Therefore, one way to beat sustainability fatigue is to connect with others. Psychotherapist Amanda Kruger noted that we often feel as if we have to carry a burden alone, but that “… Connecting with others is a reminder that we truly are all in this together. It’s easy to get bitter about other people, but when we actually interact with them, we remember maybe they’re not so bad.” A great way to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the environment is to join local sustainability efforts. Search for local events, community cleanup programs, volunteer programs, and community gardens in your area. If you live in America, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice in Your Community webpage for regional resources, programs, and contacts across the United States.