Mental Health and Climate Change
I am researching and presenting on the topic of our mental, emotional and relational responses to climate crisis. I would love to hear from you about how you are dealing with this, and let's share resources.
Webinar
A 40 minute talk for Grow as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.
Apologies for the break in the middle due to a computer crash! Ironically just as I was talking about dealing with disaster and discomfort!
Apologies for the break in the middle due to a computer crash! Ironically just as I was talking about dealing with disaster and discomfort!
Missing text in the gap between the 2 videos:
Hauora: nurturing wellbeing, connection to place
The third mental health strategy is actually a whole lot of strategies lumped together in wonderful word ‘Hauora’. This is about wellbeing, looking after ourselves.
“Because global ecological problems cannot be solved in the near future, there is a need for skills of living with anxieties and distress.” (Pihkala)
We need skills for managing eco anxiety, not trying to get rid of it completely.
1. Live with it: How can I have a healthy relationship with anxiety?
What enables you to live with distress and emotional discomfort?
Climate crisis challenges us to change our relationship with anxiety and reduce the impact of stress on our hearts and mind. This definitely includes accepting that, bummer, I am going to get down sometimes, I am going to get worried, but I can still function despite it.
A big part of that is physical. It is exercise, healthy eating, sleep routines. Yoga works for me. My teacher describes yoga as being “strong and steady under stress”. I need that!
Emotional maturity looks like not taking our stress out on other people. We find ways to live with emotional discomfort that enable us to keep on loving and serving and caring. I’m not saying it is easy, hence the need to -
2. Be kind to yourself: What do I need today?
Know what you need, and look after yourself.
Make your own Hauora plan including exercise and rest, relationships and space, mahi and wairua.
Hauora: nurturing wellbeing, connection to place
The third mental health strategy is actually a whole lot of strategies lumped together in wonderful word ‘Hauora’. This is about wellbeing, looking after ourselves.
“Because global ecological problems cannot be solved in the near future, there is a need for skills of living with anxieties and distress.” (Pihkala)
We need skills for managing eco anxiety, not trying to get rid of it completely.
1. Live with it: How can I have a healthy relationship with anxiety?
What enables you to live with distress and emotional discomfort?
Climate crisis challenges us to change our relationship with anxiety and reduce the impact of stress on our hearts and mind. This definitely includes accepting that, bummer, I am going to get down sometimes, I am going to get worried, but I can still function despite it.
A big part of that is physical. It is exercise, healthy eating, sleep routines. Yoga works for me. My teacher describes yoga as being “strong and steady under stress”. I need that!
Emotional maturity looks like not taking our stress out on other people. We find ways to live with emotional discomfort that enable us to keep on loving and serving and caring. I’m not saying it is easy, hence the need to -
2. Be kind to yourself: What do I need today?
Know what you need, and look after yourself.
Make your own Hauora plan including exercise and rest, relationships and space, mahi and wairua.