<p>It’s Earth Day! Earth day is a national holiday where we can all show our love for the earth and our support for environmental protection. We’ve briefly spoken in our blog posts about how being outside can help your emotional and mental health. So, we wanted to take a bit more time to explain how time in nature can be excellent for our health.&nbsp;</p><p>Not only is earth a beautiful place to live, but it gives us everything we need to survive and thrive. However, we also wanted to acknowledge the tougher parts of nature: climate change. This is an unsettling thought for a lot of people, and can cause something called ecoanxiety.&nbsp;</p><p>In this article, we are going to talk about the beauty of just being outside and how it can give our mental health a boost. However, we still want to acknowledge ecoanxiety, and what we can do to alleviate those feelings. Let’s get started!</p><h2><strong>Mental Health and Nature</strong></h2><p>You know that feeling at the end of a long day either in the library, office, or your room and you leave feeling a little… off? You haven’t seen the sun all day and you’re feeling super drained? Well, there are scientific reasons as to why staying inside all day is not the best for our mental health.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Stress Reduction</strong></h3><p>Getting some sun and being out in nature is actually <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1618866720307494?casa_token=lN5acCIY75cAAAAA:NE1sO5U_ZzD7M9CFf83hilR85_e2Hfz1s45baTMmKAlZ5ZpHhzi2BCd_IRkc0QBVSKtnUamxo4Y"><u>scientifically proven</u></a> to reduce stress. That’s right- the saying “I need to touch grass” actually has empirical evidence. Not only does being exposed to nature effect how stressed out we feel, but it also decreases:</p><ul><li>Cortisol levels: this is the hormone in your body that causes stress. It goes down after spending a bit of time outside</li><li>Blood pressure: Experiencing time outside is good for our minds and our hearts. High blood pressure is associated with high stress, so nature does an excellent job at mediating that connection. </li><li>Restorative outcomes: This relates to how quickly your body bounces back from injury or sickness. When we experience high stress, we are slower to come back from injury. But, being outside boosts how quickly we recover!</li></ul><p>If you’re feeling stressed, taking a break from your tasks and mindfully taking time to be outside could be an excellent solution. And scientists think so too!</p><h3><strong>Mood Boost</strong></h3><p>So, we now know that nature does well in mediating our stress response. But what about actually making us happier, rather than making us less stressed? Good news! There is evidence that being outside gives us a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2018.1557242?casa_token=77T7E_ILxUgAAAAA:g0oKbEd1U068PLgyICc-HQOgk5O4CWzNTNL-XT5S1aX2vUjKltUGvdoPSxZPSYZjZatEi5-Ujz_YEA"><u>boost in our mood</u></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>What can we do outside that will boost our mood?&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Sitting outside: Researchers argue that just sitting outside can provide a mood boost. Being present and enjoying nature while having a good sit gets us in a better mood. </li><li>Going for a walk: We’ve talked in some <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/2024/02/13/how-to-practice-self-love-when-youre-feeling-a-little-rough/"><u>previous articles</u></a> about how moving our bodies outside can enhance our mental health. No intense exercise involved: even a gentle stroll can make us feel better. Hot girl (boy or person) walk anyone?</li><li>Commuting: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2018.1557242?casa_token=77T7E_ILxUgAAAAA:g0oKbEd1U068PLgyICc-HQOgk5O4CWzNTNL-XT5S1aX2vUjKltUGvdoPSxZPSYZjZatEi5-Ujz_YEA"><u>Studies suggest</u></a> that even brief contact with the outdoors provides us with a&nbsp; mood boost. An easy way to integrate outside time into our routine is taking our commute outdoors. This isn’t possible for everyone, but if even a small portion of our commute is outside (say, parking your car slightly further away) makes us feel better</li></ul><p>Using small chunks of time to try to get outside will help us feel a lot less stressed and a lot happier. Finding time to get in the fresh air is key for our mental health, which is why mental health and nature go hand in hand.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Ecoanxiety: What is it?</strong></h2><p>But what happens when nature is actually one of our biggest stressors? For a lot of young people, this is a reality. The changing climate and how our government is handling it can feel incredibly stressful. So let’s talk about anxiety about climate change, what it is, and how you can ease those anxious feelings.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>EcoAnxiety Definition</strong></h3><p>The ecoanxiety definition is a feeling that arises from distress or worry about environmental issues. There are different types of feelings associated with environmental issues, including eco anger and eco stress, all centering around climate change anxiety. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.981814/full"><u>Researchers</u></a> are investigating the different psychological implications of the climate crisis, climate change and stress, and how “climate emotions” are impacting our everyday lives.&nbsp;</p><p>Symptoms of ecoanxiety include worry, fear, and obsession about the state of the environment. Ecoanxiety can be based on climate change and stress that we are seeing now and how future generations will be affected as well. These feelings of stress and anxiety about climate change are completely valid and real. So, how can we get eco anxiety help?</p><h3><strong>Dealing with Eco Anxiety</strong></h3><p>Like with any mental health issue, it is crucial to tap into your support network whenever you are feeling down. This could be a therapist, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://peers.net/"><u>a certified peer supporter</u></a>, a friend, or a support group. Not only will your support system validate your feelings, you may find solidarity in others who feel the same level of anxiety about climate change. Here are some additional tips on how to find eco-anxiety treatment:</p><ul><li>Educate yourself: Educating yourself about climate change, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices can help you feel more empowered and informed. However, be mindful of setting boundaries for your news consumption to avoid overwhelming yourself. Making informed decisions about the environment and your actions will help you feel more in control!</li><li>Take Action: Channel your anxiety into positive action. Engage in activities that contribute to environmental sustainability, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, supporting eco-friendly businesses, or participating in local environmental initiatives. Taking concrete steps can help alleviate feelings of helplessness and make a meaningful impact.</li><li>Focus on Solutions: Shift your focus to solutions and positive changes. Explore innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and success stories in environmental conservation. By focusing on the progress being made and the potential for positive change, you start to feel a sense of hope and optimism.</li></ul><p>There are, of course, many ways to cope with anxiety. The above are just a few specific ways we can work through ecoanxiety. If you want to read more about anxiety, you can read our article on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/2023/08/31/empowering-connections-the-healing-power-of-peer-support-for-anxiety/"><u>anxiety and peer support</u></a>. And if it’s resources you’re looking for, you can check out our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/resource-links/"><u>resources links page</u></a>.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Finding Peace Without Green Space</strong></h2><p>Unfortunately, nature is sometimes hard to come by when you live in a city or far away from any natural resources like parks, lakes, and forest. That can be a really overwhelming experience, especially if you are feeling stressed and need a mood boost. We wanted to highlight a few ways you can still cultivate a natural environment without the green space.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Bring Nature Indoors:</strong> Incorporate indoor plants into your living space. This could be anything from house plants to nature-inspired artwork, photographs, or wallpapers.</li><li><strong>Create a Mindful Corner:</strong> Designate a quiet corner in your home as a dedicated space for relaxation and mindfulness. Fill it with items that make you feel calm, such as cushions, cozy blankets, essential oils, or your favorite hobby.</li><li><strong>Engage with Natural Elements:</strong> Take advantage of natural elements available to you, such as sunlight and fresh air. Open your windows to let natural light and fresh air into your living space. Spend time on balconies, rooftops, or local outdoor seating areas to get some exposure to the outdoors. Even a short walk around your neighborhood can help you connect with nature on a smaller scale</li><li><strong>Seek Community Gardens or Urban Parks:</strong> You can look up community gardens or urban parks in your area that you may have access to. These spaces often provide opportunities for individuals without personal green spaces to connect with nature and engage in gardening or outdoor activities.</li></ul><h2><strong>Happy Earth Day!</strong></h2><p>Earth day is important because it reminds us how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful planet. Nature can do wonders for our mental health, yet can also cause a significant dose of eco-anxiety. However, there are lots of ways to cope, even if you live in an urban area. Now, go get outside!&nbsp;</p>

Hannah Johns

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