Helping the Planet, Helping Ourselves: How Environmental Action Supports Emotional Resilience

The Psychological Impact of Climate Concerns (Eco-Anxiety)

In the mental health world, people are increasingly talking about eco-anxiety—that sense of worry, grief, or helplessness when thinking about climate change and the future of our planet. Eco-anxiety is a growing concern in the mental health world—especially among younger folks—and some clinicians are starting to see it show up more often in sessions. Clayton and Karazsia (2020) describe eco-anxiety as a real psychological issue that can leave people feeling overwhelmed and stressed. But there’s some hopeful news too. Many researchers have found that taking action for the environment, even in small ways, can actually help ease some of that anxiety (Berman et al., 2008; Berry et al., 2018). Doing something proactive can shift those heavy feelings into a sense of purpose and control.

Taking Action to Reduce Stress & Build Resilience

Doing something good for the planet can actually be good for our mental health, too. Taking small steps—like recycling, using less energy, or getting involved in a community garden—can help us feel more in control and connected to something bigger than ourselves. Pihkala (2020) points out that taking eco-action can turn that overwhelming worry into something meaningful, which can be really grounding. When we feel like we’re making a difference, even in small ways, it boosts our confidence and helps us feel less stuck. Koger and Winter (2010) call this self-efficacy—basically, the belief that our actions matter—and that’s huge when it comes to emotional resilience. In therapy, I often talk with clients about connecting their actions to their values, and caring for the environment can be a powerful way to do just that.

The Power of Community & Connection

Albrecht et al. (2007) introduced the term “solastalgia”, derived from the Latin term solacium (comfort) and the Ancient Greek term algia (pain), to describe the distress people feel due to changes happening in their natural environment. Changes to the environment can include natural disasters such as fires, the destruction of forests for human development, the results of climate change, and more. Albrecht et al. (2007) found that people affected by environmental changes often experience negative emotions, and those feelings can be even stronger when they feel like they have no control over what’s happening around them.

Despite the serious impact of climate distress on mental health, researchers (Bradley et al., 2014) have identified several different ways to cope and reduce the levels of distress that one experiences, including a combination of support-seeking, taking environmentally responsible actions, and taking personal actions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The overwhelming feelings of climate-related distress can cause people to feel isolated and disconnected from the world around them, and seeking out social connections with like-minded people can help combat feelings of helplessness and isolation. 

Additionally, Passmore & Howell (2014) showed that participating in environmental volunteerism can lead to increased life satisfaction, purpose, and social belonging, all of which contribute to overall emotional resilience. Participating in collective action within your community, such as joining local clean-up efforts, community gardens, or climate advocacy groups, not only helps the planet but also strengthens social connections and gives a sense of agency.

Real-Life Application

Taking action to help the environment has been shown to improve mental well-being by fostering a sense of purpose, reducing eco-anxiety, and strengthening social connections. 

Here are a few actionable steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Use Less Energy

• Turn off lights, unplug devices, and use LED bulbs

• Keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer with curtains or draft blockers

2. Travel Smarter

• Walk, bike, or take public transport

• Carpool when you can and skip flights if possible

3. Eat More Plants

• A mostly plant-based diet is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your carbon footprint

• Focus on affordable staples like beans, lentils, rice, and seasonal veggies

• Try swapping meat for plant-based meals a few times a week — it’s better for your health, your wallet, and the planet

4. Buy Less, Reuse More

• Shop secondhand, repair what you can, and reuse containers

• Join local swap groups or look for freebies

5. Speak Up & Get Involved

• Join free community cleanups or climate events

• Vote for leaders who support the planet

(World Wide Fund for Nature, n.d.)

Conclusions

Our mental health and the health of the planet are more connected than we might think. Doing small things like getting outside, cutting back on waste, or finding ways to live a little more sustainably can help us feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about doing what we can, when we can, and letting those actions reflect what matters to us. This Earth Day, take a moment to step outside, breathe in some fresh air, and soak up the peace that nature has to offer. Every little bit counts—for the Earth and for your own well-being.

References 

Albrecht, G., Sartore, G. M., Connor, L., Higginbotham, N., Freeman, S., Kelly, B., ... & Pollard, G. (2007). Solastalgia: The distress caused by environmental change. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(S1), S95-S98.

Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212.

Berry, H. L., Waite, T. D., Dear, K. B. G., Capon, A. G., & Murray, V. (2018). The case for systems thinking about climate change and mental health. Nature Climate Change, 8(4), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0102-4

Bradley, G. L., Reser, J. P., Glendon, A. I. (2014). Distress and coping response to climate change. In K. Kaniasty, K.A. Moore, S. Howard, & P. Buchwald (Eds). Stress and anxiety: Applications to social and environmental threats, psychological well-being, occupational challenges, and developmental psychology climate change. Berlin, Germany: Logos Verlag, 33-42.

Clayton, S., & Karazsia, B. T. (2020). Development and validation of a measure of climate change anxiety. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101434

Koger, S. M., & Winter, D. D. (2010). The psychology of environmental problems: Psychology for sustainability. Psychology Press..

Passmore, H.-A., & Howell, A. J. (2014). Nature involvement increases hedonic and eudaimonic well-being: A two-week experimental study. Ecopsychology, 6(3), 148-154.

Pihkala, P. (2020). Anxiety and the ecological crisis: An analysis of eco-anxiety and climate anxiety. Sustainability, 12(19), 7836. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197836

  World Wide Fund for Nature. (n.d.). How to reduce your carbon footprint. WWF. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://explore.panda.org/climate/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint#:~:text=Cycle%20or%20walk%20whenever%20possible,sharing%20instead%20of%20travelling%20individually.