What is Eco-Anxiety? Understanding Climate Change Distress in Melbourne

Eco-anxiety is becoming an increasingly common experience for many people, and it can be heightened in cities such as Melbourne, where climate impacts are often visible and close to home – heatwaves, bushfires, floods and biodiversity loss are unfortunately more frequent occurrences in our world due to a warming planet.

Having concern for the world around us is a healthy and rational response - alongside those feelings being extremely valid – but for some people, these worries can become overwhelming and start to impact their daily life. Understanding eco-anxiety is the first step towards responding to it with clarity and managing it effectively.

Eco-Anxiety vs. Climate Grief: Clarifying the Emotional Response

Eco-anxiety and climate grief are very closely related, but they have differences. Eco-anxiety is typically rooted in fear and worry about the future – worrying about what climate change may do to the planet and whether we can repair the damage. Climate grief, on the other hand, stems from a sense of loss – the mourning of extinct species, damaged ecosystems or the changing landscapes that we once knew.

If someone is experiencing one of these, it is common to also experience the other. It’s possible to grieve the loss of predictable weather in the local area but also feel anxious about water shortages, bushfires or extreme weather events.

Experiencing any of these feelings is not a sign of weakness; they are emotions that reflect awareness, empathy and connection to your local area or the planet. Being able to identify your feelings can be helpful in reducing distress and paving the way to making the experience more manageable.

The Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Climate Distress

Alongside generalised anxiety, eco-anxiety doesn’t just affect the mind – it can show up in the body too in the form of physical symptoms. Common effects on the body include muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, disturbed sleep and general aches and pains. All of these symptoms are common side effects of stress and anxiety, and in most cases, are nothing to worry about physically.

If experiencing a period of severe anxiety or panic, it may be helpful to seek a distraction such as talking with a friend, playing a mobile game, or listening to a podcast - by trying to divert focus, it can help to relieve physical symptoms. Psychological effects can include racing thoughts, irritability, low mood, feelings of guilt, or a sense of helplessness.

Some Melbourne residents may have heightened anxiety during the Summer due to the risk of bushfires, heatwaves and water shortages. Over time, constant exposure to alarming climate or weather news can lead to emotional exhaustion or avoidance of the news. If you find that concerns of this nature are interfering with your daily life, ability to work, or relationships with others, it may be a sign that you need a helping hand with your anxiety. Getting the appropriate attention and care can help alleviate your feelings of anxiety and teach you coping mechanisms to manage the worrisome thoughts.

The Role of Uncertainty: Why the Fear of 'What If' Becomes Debilitating

One of the most challenging aspects of any form of anxiety is uncertainty – thinking “what if” and wondering about the future. Climate change is a complex topic that evolves over time, making it a difficult thing for the brain to problem-solve. This is when the mind spirals in a pool of potential issues. Uncertainty can create a constant state of alarm similar to chronic stress. As humans, we are naturally programmed to look for control and predictability, and climate change threatens both – this is why eco-anxiety is very real.

Finding Your Path Toward Meaningful Climate Action

Learning to tolerate uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed is a key coping mechanism when it comes to eco-anxiety. Grounding practices, limiting news consumption and focusing on what is within your control can help to calm the mind and nervous system and see things in a logical manner. Alongside personal coping mechanisms, taking real action can also be a powerful antidote and make you feel that you’re making an impact.

Meaningful climate action doesn’t have to be extensive or exhausting – it can be helpful to volunteer within the community or join local environmental groups. It may even be liberating to do activities such as litter picks or beach cleanups – they will make you feel like you’re making a difference in the world. If these activities aren’t your style, quieter choices such as changing consumption habits, having climate conversations with others or voting for policy change can also be helpful.

Seeking Professional Support in Melbourne

Both community-based or quiet action can help with eco-anxiety and make valuable use of your spare time, they can reduce feelings of helplessness and also connect you with other like-minded people. Bearing this in mind, if eco-anxiety feels persistent or overwhelming, professional support can help too.

Staff at The Grove Counselling & Therapy are increasingly aware of climate-related distress and can provide a safe space to explore these feelings alongside helping you to develop coping mechanisms, process grief, and manage anxiety levels. Get in touch with our team here to see how we could help.