Feeling Climate Anxiety? Here’s What You Can Do (That Actually Helps)

Feeling hopeless about the planet? If climate anxiety has you spiraling, you’re not alone.

Between terrifying headlines, political inaction, and the constant guilt of not doing enough, it’s easy to feel stuck, helpless, and overwhelmed.

The good news? There are real things you can do — and they don’t involve overhauling your entire life.

This post is here to say: you’re not powerless. You’re just overwhelmed.

And there is a way to move forward that doesn’t burn you out or ask you to do everything.

Let’s get into it.

What You’re Feeling Has a Name: Climate Anxiety

There’s a reason your nervous system feels like it’s been living in a microwave.

This isn’t just stress. It’s not a lack of gratitude. It’s not because you forgot to journal this morning.

This is climate anxiety.

It’s grief, guilt, rage, fear — all rolled into one and sprinkled with a dash of “what’s the f*cking point?”

And no wonder. Every time you open your phone, it’s a nonstop loop of:

• Wildfires torching forests
• Floods drowning entire towns
• Coral reefs bleaching in real time
• Billionaires flying private jets to climate conferences
• Lawmakers fighting over whether the planet should be allowed to live or not

Add that to the everyday chaos of parenting, working, cleaning, feeding yourself — and yeah, it makes sense that you’re tired. Deep, soul-level tired.

We are overstimulated and under-supported.

And the people most likely to feel it — women, moms, caregivers, deep feelers — are also the ones most likely to try to do something about it.

But we weren’t built to carry this kind of existential weight on top of our daily lives.

The system is broken. The pace is brutal. And still — here you are, reading a blog post about how to do better. That says something.

The Problem with “Just Do Something” Culture

Let’s be real for a second.

A lot of wellness and sustainability advice sounds like it was written for people with unlimited time, money, and mental energy.

“Grow your own food.”
“Make your own deodorant.”
“Go zero waste.”
“Don’t use your car, ever.”

Oh — and also don’t get overwhelmed, don’t mess it up, and definitely don’t eat anything that isn’t organic and locally sourced.

It’s exhausting.

And it’s not helpful.

The all-or-nothing mindset leaves most of us feeling like we’re failing before we even start.

It’s not that we don’t care — it’s that we’re burned out and being told we have to be perfect.

It turns sustainability into a competition. Health into performance.

It puts the weight of fixing everything on individuals who are just trying to get through the week.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all to make a difference.

You just have to do what’s realistic, consistent, and feels good enough to keep doing.

The world doesn’t need more perfect influencers. It needs more people doing what they can — imperfectly, consistently, with heart.

Why Taking Small Action Actually Helps

When you feel helpless, your body gets stuck in fight-or-flight (or freeze).

Taking action — even one small, tangible thing — is like hitting the “reset” button on your nervous system.

It reminds your brain: “Hey. I’m not totally powerless. I can do something.”

And it doesn’t just help you feel better — it creates ripple effects.

• You feel more aligned with your values
• You reduce your environmental impact in real, measurable ways
• You inspire the people around you without even trying (because modeling is powerful)

Small steps = big mental shift.

They won’t fix the world overnight — but they will help you stop spiraling and start reconnecting to your agency.

And let’s not overlook this: feeling good actually makes it easier to keep going.

The more you build habits that feel supportive and energizing — not punishing — the more momentum you create.

This is how change sticks. Not through guilt or shame or panic, but through feeling better on purpose.

Dealing with Climate Anxiety: Small Actions That Actually Help

Alright, here’s where we stop doomscrolling and start rooting into reality.

These are things that make a difference — not just environmentally, but emotionally.

You don’t have to do all of them. Pick one. Let it matter.

Eat a little less meat

Meat production is one of the biggest contributors to deforestation, emissions, and water use.

Cutting back — even by a few meals a week — is powerful.

Bonus: it’s good for your health, your grocery bill, and your energy levels.

And this doesn’t mean replacing meat with fake meat you hate. Think soups, stews, pasta, curries — real food that just happens to be meatless.

Swap one product for a low-tox version

Ditching the harsh stuff in your home isn’t just better for the planet — it’s better for your hormones, your skin, and your air quality.

Start small. Just one thing. Deodorant, cleaning spray, lotion — whatever’s easiest.

Don’t Marie Kondo your whole house overnight. Just begin.

The ripple effect here is bigger than you think: these swaps reduce pollution in your water, cut back on plastic, and teach your family that health and sustainability go hand in hand.

Move your body outside

Walk. Garden. Sit on your steps and drink tea.

Touch a tree. Breathe.

Nature is a reset button we forget we have access to.

It calms your brain. It lowers cortisol. And it reconnects you to the world you’re trying to care for — and gives you space to process the emotions that come with it.

This isn’t about hitting step counts or grinding out workouts.

It’s about remembering your body exists, and that it needs care, too.

Stop chasing perfection

You’re not going to get it “right.”

There is no perfect eco-lifestyle. There’s just the one that feels aligned with your life, your energy, and your season.

Some weeks, that means homemade meals and glass jars.

Other weeks, it’s takeout and survival mode.

Both are valid. You are allowed to ebb and flow.

You’re not lazy. You’re living in a system that was never designed to support you — and you’re still showing up. That’s powerful.

Buy less. And more intentionally

You don’t need to go full minimalist.

But the next time you click “Buy Now,” pause and ask: Is this aligned with the life I’m trying to build?

Intentional choices aren’t about restriction — they’re about freedom.

Freedom from clutter, from debt, from decision fatigue.

And when you buy less, the things you do buy mean more.

Why It All Still Matters (Even When It Feels Small)

Because these aren’t just eco habits.

They’re a rebellion against numbness.
They’re a way to reconnect with yourself in a system built to burn you out.
They’re a way to say: “I give a shit. And I’m still trying.”

That matters. A lot.

And yeah — it might not stop the next wildfire or rewrite government policy.

But it will:

• Help you sleep better
• Help you feel better
• Help your kids see what it looks like to care
• Help your nervous system breathe for the first time in days

You won’t see the full impact of your choices. That doesn’t mean they don’t matter.

It means they’re part of a bigger shift — one that starts with small, doable things and grows from there.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Powerless. You’re Just Fried.

So what helps?

• Choosing one thing and doing it on purpose
• Letting that thing be enough
• Coming back to your “why” when the world feels heavy
• Refusing to let overwhelm win

You don’t need a 30-day challenge or a zero-waste pantry to make a difference.

You just need one moment of clarity.

One small shift that feels good enough to repeat.

And if you want a little help figuring out what that could look like — I’ve got you. 👇

Want a Personalized Starting Point?

I made a free tool that gives you 5 personalized tips for eating better, living greener, and feeling more grounded — even when the world’s a mess.

No pressure. Just small, doable steps that make you feel better in your life and lighter on the planet.

👉 Grab the free prompts here.

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You’re not behind. It’s not too late.

You’re exactly where you need to be to begin again — and this time, from a place that actually feels good.

You’ve got this. And I’ve got you.

– Bailee 💚

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