How can you deal with eco anxiety in children?

Climate change is flaring up eco-anxiety, especially in the coming generation as it continues to dominate their goals of healthy living and secure future in the planet. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, rising sea levels are the scary topics which cannot be kept hidden from children, who are learning about the effects of natural disasters and climate change in science class, on television and at museums. As more children are facing the reality of the world they are getting more depressed and developing anxiety about the natural disasters or the world is soon coming to an end if no initiative is taken by the leaders of the world.

Link of climate change and mental health

As the disasters are becoming more frequent due to global warming, mental health is becoming one of the critical factor. As children learn about these events happening around the world, they become very concerned and feel vulnerable and powerless about the scenario that takes the shape of anxiety and fear. The air is getting dirty, vegetables and fruit produce contain pesticides. The number of open spaces in urban areas are getting smaller day by day. The untimely rains are disrupting the outdoor routine of kids. There is scarcity of water, especially in summers. Everything is clearly visible to kids. This is indeed setting in deep-rooted fears / anxiety in some sense.

We as parents can help kids to empower themselves by taking various measures to save earth. Small solutions go a long way if a huge population practices it. Some of the simple solutions that even a child can practice are:

1. Give them the understanding of how precious water is and how important it is to use it judiciously. Set an example for kids on how you are doing your bit to save water. Use a bucket for taking a bath and not shower. Store water in the kitchen when you wash vegetables, fruits, dal, chawl everyday and use that water for plants. Tell them to close the tap when they are using the soap or brushing teeth. Every drop counts.

2. Invest time and energy in building a small terrace garden. Put a lot of indoor plants in your house. Give your kids responsibility to water the pots. Even if you do not have a green thumb, some plants are easily grown, such as aloe vera, snake plant, money plant, lucky bamboo and any other succulents.

3. Read books about environment and nature. Make the kids empathetic towards this cause. Ask them questions on how they would like to tackle these situations when they grow up.

4. Use natural products when it comes to daily essentials like soap, shampoo, dish washing and laundry solutions. There are many eco-friendly and zero waste options available in the market these days. This will not only save the earth but your body too. And it will help in reducing your family’s carbon footprint.

5. Try making compost from your wet waste. It would also be a great science lesson for your kids

Kids need space to breathe and process their emotions. Talk about issues openly and have a heart to heart conversation to lessen their anxiety. Meditation can also reduce anxiety in children.

• Mild chakra healing can be done with kids. We can give them affirmations to practice related to all 7 chakras. Also, doing mindfulness activities with kids and creative arts can also help them relax their minds and lessen the anxiety.
• Journaling is a great way to de-stress. Elder kids can do journaling everyday to pour in their emotions and thoughts in their diary where no one is going to judge them on what they have written.
• Art therapy also work very well for de-stressing. Dance and movement also work great. A normal five-minute meditation daily goes a long way in establishing this routine even in adulthood. Practicing gratitude is also one way to raise the energy and vibrations.

(The writer is founder of The K Junction.)