How to help your children with climate crisis anxiety, depression, and pessimism
photo by: pressherald.com
You believe yourself to be a decent human being. By no means do you want a family member to consider you as part of the environmental problems, but maybe you have some guilt because you don't exactly know how to be a part of the solution? *side note, you probably do more good than you realize, but let’s carry on…
Where do you even start? The terms alone are so grim: "existential threat, record-breaking natural disasters, pollution, dying bees, dead soil, greenhouse gasses, climate crisis, global warming, mass migrations, planetary emergency, deforestation, etc." 😱😱
As a parent who does not work in the environmental field, it can feel helpless and difficult to understand or comfort your child's emotional unwellness. Here are some ways that you can help:
photo by: theparentzone.com
Believe them; the sky is falling!
The youth have every reason to be concerned. It's terrifying. Our children are looking at a future where polluted air, contaminated drinking water, food shortages, devastating disasters, mass extinctions, political unrest, and minimal opportunity are considered inevitable. "What the hell is the point?" It can be paralyzing with panic attacks, loss of joy and purpose, and sometimes even thoughts of suicide. Open your mind, listen to them, speak to them with respect, kindness, and gratitude for their concerns.
Educate yourself
Choose your child's biggest environmental concern and learn everything there is to know about that subject. Uncle Google is a great start. El Buzz Verde has some useful information. I can help; send me a message, and I can guide you to the desired information. You will quickly see how connected everything is but be careful to consume consciously; the rabbit hole will suck you in, and then you will be in the same way as your child!
Lead by example and do your part
Vote for progressive politicians that support environmental policies like the Green New Deal. Use your power of purchase and buy from small local businesses. Continue with your environmental efforts and commit to additional ones where possible. For example, ban single-use plastic in your home, check your meat consumption, separate your food waste from the trash. Travel responsibly. Our problems are vast, but your everyday actions do matter greatly.
Encourage your children to get involved
Invite them to join any one of the numbers of youth climate organizations worldwide, and become a member with them! Fridays for Future, Sunrise Movement👆🏻 , and Extinction Rebellion are some of the most known youth organizations. Or help them to start their environmental project or movement. WE NEED NEW LEADERS! The more you remind them that you are in it with them, the more brave, confident, optimistic, and less lonely they will feel.
Take a break
Turn the electronics off. Get outside for a family activity. Biking, hiking, playing, swimming, fishing, exploring, or simply resting on a rock under the sun- anything in nature will do because nature is medicine. Expose your children to a variety of outdoor activities. It allows everyone to choose the activity that helps them to disconnect and relax; it's a personal thing. Plan a family holiday designed to help your family disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, their thoughts, and with each other. Choose sustainable tourism.
Teach them to meditate
(if you don’t know, you should)
Everyone needs to learn this non-denominational centering practice. Life is a bumpy road in a typical year, but 2020 has shown us that we must stay ready for elephant foot sized potholes! Especially the coming years while we work through the new policies and practices in The New Normal. Meditation helps with stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical health, hopelessness, mental burnout, finding one's purpose, memory, concentration, peace of mind, and much more.
I want everyone to remember that THERE IS HOPE!
Humans are an extremely intelligent species. We have the skills, technology, ambition, and yes, even money to do whatever we can dream up. Like, say… saving our home Planet Earth: YES, WE CAN! Our job as the adults in the room is to support the youth and do our damnedest to make the necessary changes to reverse the climate crisis and provide future generations with better opportunities than we had.
Many Blessings, Sara Renshaw @ The Green Maya Project
P.S. Nature heals mentally, and physically. Get some today.
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