Learning about climate change is not the end of the journey. When we start learning about the threat of climate change, we can experience very intense emotions and thoughts like:
- Dealing with eco-anxiety and eco-grief (here we offer you some links to learn about how to deal with this).
- Feeling pressured to fix everything on your own.
- Information overload and distraction from many urgent problems happening at the same time.
It is key that you look after yourself in terms of your wellbeing and mental health. In this way, you will be better prepared to contribute to climate action and help others take care of themselves.
Below, you can find resources and ideas for using your Cimate Superpowers for self care. Not sure which superpower to start with?
Self care doesn’t just mean looking after yourself. It also means asking for help when you need it – and we all need help sometimes! In the actions below, you will find some links to places where you can go if you feel that you need extra support. We have also put together a specific page to help you find support:
Use your ability to connect with others to take care of yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed by climate change.
Connect with other young people who care about climate change, and get inspired by positive stories of making change.
Seek out support to deal with climate anxiety and stress. Make use of resources and services for children, young people and families.
Talk to someone that you trust about how you feel about climate change.
Do something fun with your friends or family. It doesn’t have to be related climate change at all – it just needs to be something you enjoy doing!
Your Human Superpowers can help you practice self-care by making the most of your knowledge, physical and mental health, personal qualities, experiences and leadership capabilities.
Cook a nice treat for yourself and that is healthy and sustainable.
Check out this delicious list of recipes for sustainable snacks by WWC UK and tips on how to eat more sustainably.
Save some time now, tomorrow or this week for your hobbies.
Cultivate healthy habits: make sure you get enough sleep, a balanced diet, and physical activity.
Know your strengths, set realistic boundaries, and ask for help when you need it. Not even Greta Thunberg works alone.
Make a list of the everyday choices you already make (or could easily start to make) that play a small part in climate action.
Connecting to nature can be a source of comfort, relaxation, and help you recharge. Spending time in nature can also help you feel more hopeful, for example, when we contemplate the rebirth of plants and animals.
Do some gardening or take a walk in nature, the park, or by the sea. Close your eyes and take a deep breath of fresh air.
Use all your senses to contemplate and appreciate nature.
Listen – to the birds, wind, waves, water.
Look – contemplate the sunrise, sunset, moon, stars, the sea.
Touch – your pet’s soft fur, the grass or sand on your feet, the warm sunlight on your face.
Smell – the flowers, the soil after it rains, gum trees.
Taste – fruits, veggies, fresh water, mint leaves.
You can practice this mini meditation to appreciate nature by HeadSpace.
Watch funny animal videos, gardening shows or soothing nature documentaries.
Spend time with your pets. Talk to them (we can’t guarantee they will talk back).
Climate change is a serious global problem. It is normal to sometimes feel tired, hopeless or like you cannot make a difference. Become empowered by joining forces with other people in your everyday life, community and beyond.
Connect with youth-led climate action groups – working together means you don’t have to try to change the world all by yourself.
Here are some youth-led organisations:
Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC)
Climate for Change gathers people of all ages to take climate action
Watch inspiring documentaries about young people making change.
Explore different ways to express your ideas. What works for you? E.g. art, social media, one-on-one conversations, attending rallies.
Make a list of the small actions you have taken recently, and make an effort to congratulate yourself for each one.
Plan something nice to do for yourself (maybe alone or with family or friends) that has nothing at all to do with climate change. Climate action is a marathon rather than a sprint, and you will be most effective if you make time to relax and have fun.
Your cultural heritage, habits, language, stories, traditions, spirituality, customs, identities, values, and art can are powerful tools that can help you navigate the difficult feelings and experiences caused by climate change. Having a sense of purpose and connecting to something larger than yourself can also help you feel more balanced and empowered.
Cultivate your spiritual side: participate in ceremony, meditate, pray, practice yoga, contemplate nature…
Express yourself with art. Drawing, painting, dancing, video, origami, knitting, embroidering, sewing, carpentry – the list is endless.
Cook a nice treat for yourself or share a comforting meal or a coffee with friends.
Listen to music. Dance and sing like no one’s watching.
Built Climate Superpowers give you a unique capacity to imagine new worlds where humans live in harmony with the rest of nature. Your tech skills can also help you find useful information and sources of support.
Go to a place that makes you feel happy, or keep a picture of it as your screensaver.
Download an App for promoting wellbeing and mental health.
Limit your screen time and take a break from social media and the news when you need it.
Clean or decorate your room or house. Having plants around can be good for your wellbeing.
Sometimes you may feel that you do not have the material means to make change. Real Financial Superpowers give you the ability to identify what resources are available to you and others – whether that is time, money, goods, or effort – and use them in creative ways. Sharing with others can also help you feel better about yourself and develop a sense of purpose.
Putting your Financial Superpowers into action can help you feel more grateful for what you have and more capable of making change.
Volunteer for a cause you believe in – your time and skills are valuable, and it can feel great to put them to good use.
Reflect on what is really important in your life. Are there any things you currently spend time or money on or worry about, when you don’t really need to? Try to cut back on those things, and focus on the people, things and values that matter most to you.
Sustainable shopping can be expensive. Do things for the environment that also help you save money (e.g., less shopping, less takeaway food).
Plan ways to make your job or career fit as climate-friendly as possible.
Plan ways to make your job or career fit as climate-friendly as possible. You might choose a career path that focuses on climate change, but no matter what your job is, there are always things you can do to make it more sustainable. If you are thinking about your future or already looking for a job, take a look at this article by Ethical Jobs on the skills that young people will need for green jobs in the future. It’s also a great idea to switch to a super fund that doesn’t investing in fossil fuels.
