Published 12 Feb 2025
Climate change is here, and we don’t have to look far afield to be reminded of the effects. It’s unsurprisingly that this can have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing and lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness and despair. If you’re concerned about your own climate-related mental health or those around you, remind yourself that there is hope and things that can be done to address rising global average temperatures. Here are some steps you can take to stay on top of climate-related anxiety and take action on a personal level.
What you can do
The Australian Psychology Society through Australian Red Cross have put together advice to help people ‘think, take action and cope’ with climate anxiety.
Recognise how you’re feeling
It’s completely normal to feel stressed or anxious as a reaction to uncertain times and a looming existential threat. You’re not alone. Recognising this can help normalise the feelings.
Protect yourself by limiting constant updates
Our brains were not created for 24/7 scrolling and minute by minute updates. The term ‘doomscrolling’ didn’t even exist before 2020. Try and limit your exposure to the constant news cycle and take breaks from the themes to give space for other thoughts and foster positive emotions. It is also important to focus on all of the great work and encouraging stories that showcase the many successes we are having to improve our environment and tackle climate change, often under-reported and overlooked in our daily news cycles.
Practice self-care and connect with others
We’re sure you’ve heard this one before but putting yourself first and practicing self-care is so important.
Ensure you’re drinking water, enjoying the daylight hours, moving your body, having positive connections with people and finding joy in your day-to-day moments.
Have you heard the term ‘touch grass’? Breaking your moment to get offline, outside and in nature, be it a walk down your street, stepping into your backyard or getting out into the wide-open space, can be a restorative leveller.
Rest your eyes by looking up at the sky or out to sea, sit on a park bench or go for a mindful walk.
Learn about how other GMHBA members get more movement in their day.
Get involved
We can be the change we want to see in the world. By getting involved and taking action, the momentum helps us feel that we can be part of the positive change. In a recent study conducted by the Australian Red Cross it was found that “People who took part in a climate change adaptation program … and taking adaptation action helped them feel in control.”
You can get involved in taking small steps towards climate action:
- Learn about what you can do at the personal, community and business level to make your impact count
- Get involved in local climate action or environment groups such as a Friends or Landcare group
- Seek out your local council’s initiatives such as waste management, sustainability or revegetation programs
- Learn how to keep your home cool in summer
From one less fast fashion purchase to seasonal eating, active or public transport and food waste, every decision you make each day can have a positive impact on climate change in its own small way.
Long term, there are bigger steps you can make to reduce your climate impacts. When the time is right for you, looking at options for your home and life that harness or use renewable energies are individual steps that can all add up to greater impact. Installing solar panels, choosing environmentally certified building materials and where you can, opting to loan, repair, reuse and recycle are all individual steps in taking action to help mitigate climate change.
Join Earth Hour’s Challenge 60
No longer just switching your lights off for 60 minutes, this year Earth Hour are challenging us to take 60 minutes a day to make a real difference.
From 1-22 March 2025 challenge yourself to walk, run, cycle, roll or swim for 60 minutes a day and raise critical funds to regenerate nature and protect the animals you love!
Learn more about Earth Hour’s Challenge 60 event.
We’re taking steps too
GMHBA’s commitment to the community’s health and wellbeing stretches beyond simply paying benefits towards medical out of pockets.
Our head office and flagship health insurance and health hub at 60 Moorabool Street, Geelong is recognised for its 5-star Green Star Rating, and 5-star NABERS Base Building Energy Rating.
The building includes a rooftop garden and two bee hives. The beehives play a huge role in in promoting biodiversity, supporting local ecosystems, and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Support for GMHBA members impacted by natural disasters
If you’ve been impacted by a recent natural disaster, we’re here to support you. Learn more about disaster support for members.
