Hi sam, im genuinely concerned about climate change. i know it sounds stupid but the animals are actually dying!!! please help me stop the poor polar bears from drowning. my anxiety levels go through the roof everytime something about climate change comes on the news. help
Hi there,
Anxiety can be triggered by many different things and can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and in any situation. It can be a difficult to control and manage and can be triggered by one thing or many things.
Climate change is something that affects everyone and it can be worrying to read about it in the news. We can all have an impact on the environment and do our bit to save energy. Switching off lights when you’re not using them, walking instead of going in a car and looking after the local environment are all things you can do to help. Recycling is also good for the planet, especially when things are made out of plastic.
There are organisations and charities that work towards reducing climate change and helping animals. If you talk to an adult you trust you could find an organisation together and see what you can do to support their work.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to worries and it comes from millions of years ago when people needed anxiety to keep them safe from danger. These days we might not often be in such danger but our bodies still react in the same way to things that might not actually be harmful. That’s why we feel anxious sometimes.
The feelings of anxiety can vary between people but often people notice that their heart rate increases, their mind becomes more alert, their breathing gets faster and they start to sweat. All these things can make them feel dizzy, shaky and fidgety.
Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes but there are things people can do to help them cope and work through it. This could be talking about it, finding ways to relax, solving a problem, or using distractions. If you like nature, you might want to relax in the garden or go for a walk in the park.
Sometimes anxiety stops people from doing the things they love and enjoying their life and if this happens it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor about it. A doctor can work out more about the anxiety, what’s causing it and what can be done to help.
If you’d like to talk things through in more detail, you can always contact a counsellor at Childline who’ll listen and support you.
Take care,
Sam.
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
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