Climate Anxiety: America’s Growing Worry

A recent APA article reports two-thirds of adults feel climate-related worry—“eco-anxiety”—with 20% of U.S. youth fearing having children due to environmental concerns en.wikipedia.org+3apa.org+3time.com+3. Studies connect extreme weather exposure to PTSD, grief, and mood disorders en.wikipedia.org+1arxiv.org+1. As a PMHNP, I help people turn anxiety into action—empowering rather than paralyzing.

5 Practical Self‑Help Tips:

1. Limit doomscrolling: Schedule set times to follow climate news.

2. Take local action: Plant trees, advocate for sustainable community policies.

3. Talk about it: Share feelings with friends or therapists; validation reduces distress.

4. Connect with nature: Regular walks help re-ground and combat helplessness.

5. Support youth voices: Volunteer with youth climate groups to foster intergenerational resilience.