CLIMATE ANXIETY

CLIMATE ANXIETY Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes

saray leal/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

Following a record-breaking Or, we’re standing in front of a packhurricane season, out-of-control age of blueberries at the grocery store feelwildfires and a deadly prolonged ing confusion and ambivalence. A desire pandemic, many of us are anxious and to be healthy and adopt a sustainable, vegfearful, prompted by the growing realiza- etarian lifestyle is playing tug-of-war with tion of being in a state of environmental the fact that these blueberries were flown insecurity. These inklings of impending in from South America, are wrapped in doom are nothing new for members of the plastic and were grown in a monoculture youth climate movement—kids in their that depletes the soil. It’s hard to know teens or younger—succumbing to hope- whether to eat or boycott them. “The lessness, anger and rage as they learn the greater this dissonance grows, the more science and watch leaders do nothing to likely we’ll tell ourselves that the problems address it. are too big. We decide that we can’t make a

Hardest hit are “marginalized commu- difference, so why try? We check out,” says nities, including indigenous people, climate integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenrefugees, farmers struggling with drought port, author of Emotional Resiliency in the and communities of color, who dispropor- Era of Climate Change. tionately suffer from the health effects of The first step to alleviate this anguish polluting industries,” says Jennifer Atkinson, is to validate and normalize the dark associate professor of environmental studies feelings. “It’s important to remember that at the University of Washington-Bothell. there’s nothing wrong with you. What’s

Some of us are affected in more subtle happening is actually painful and difficult; ways. Perhaps we’re noticing slow-moving there’s a lot of loss involved. Eco-anxiety changes around us, like the gradual loss is a natural response to having your heart of bees or a disappearance of trees, and and mind open, being an attentive and we develop a sense of loss the philosopher caring person, if you tune in to what’s hapGlenn Albrecht coined “solastalgia”, which pening in the world,” says Davenport, addplays on the concept of nostalgia—a long- ing that good self-care, including mindfuling for a time or place we can’t go back to. ness practices, will expand our tolerance for dealing with tough times.

Another powerful antidote can be found in community, according to Sarah Jaquette Ray, associate professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California, and author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet. “People feel like they can’t impact the world because they’re only one person. But when they start to shift the lens toward the collective, it allows them to realize that the positive things that are happening in the world are actually happening at scale, and it allows them to feel like they’re part of some larger purpose,” says Ray.

As we accept climate-related anxiety and seek the company of like-minded people to affect change, surprisingly positive emotions will arise, including joy, laughter, dancing and camaraderie at street protests. “Those positive feelings help us process grief and anger, engage us in the work long term and help us maintain the stamina we need for sustained work,” Ray says.

“Think of climate anxiety as a kind of superpower, a signal that goes off to tell us something’s wrong and needs to be addressed,” says Atkinson, the creator and host of the climate-anxiety podcast Facing It. She points to grief as a compelling motivator. “You can’t feel grief without love,” she explains. “Grief is an expression of compassion and connection to others and to the pain we feel when those lives are destroyed. Love is far more powerful in motivating us to fight than any other affect. There’s no limit to the lengths we’ll go to protect what we love.”

We are only limited by a lack of ecological imagination, Davenport proposes. “Our contemporary Western culture emphasizes the rational, cognitive way of thinking, which is linear and analytical. But another part of the brain—the imaginative, creative and intuitive part—views the world synergistically and holistically. If we open up to this ecological imagination, we can have a visceral knowing of interconnectedness, making it simpler to act in a way that’s beneficial to all of us.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

WELLthier Living Online Healing Resources at KnoWEwell.com

by Patti Trenchak

Imagine a one-stop, online site for healing, health and well-being information, resources and screened providers in a caring, supportive environment. KnoWEwell has launched a personalized, private and secure online community and marketplace to transform health care. KnoWEwell’s mission is to proactively prevent harm, address chronic diseases and inspire and empower individuals to achieve WELLthier Living.

Driven by a series of healthcare challenges in her family that began more than a decade ago, founder and CEO Kimberly B. Whittle embarked on a journey to search for solutions. She immersed herself in research, attended conferences and joined several nonprofit provider organizations along the way. Using a multitude of Regenerative Whole Health (RWH) approaches—including natural, integrative and functional medicine, as well as lifestyle wellness practices—and collaborating with caring practitioners, Whittle created a personalized, integrated wellness approach to prevent and heal chronic conditions.

Motivated to share this transformative knowledge, she started KnoWEwell to help people easily connect with global healing approaches, therapies, providers and organizations that together can cultivate and regenerate humanity, other living species and our planet.

Whittle’s personal healing journey wasn’t easy, but she is determined to make the path easier for others. She also wants to acknowledge and thank the many health and well-being providers and professional organizations that assisted, guided and educated her in this process. Whittle designed KnoWEwell to serve as a role model for using business as a force

Kimberly B. Whittle

for good, not just profits. In recognition of her innovative approach and leadership, Whittle was honored as one of Industry Era magazine’s 10 Best CEOs of 2020.

Research is proving the effectiveness of ancient healing therapies and confirming that our lifestyle can modify the way our DNA is expressed, pushing us toward or away from chronic diseases. Studies also reveal that there is about a 17-year lag between new scientific discoveries and their adoption into medical practice and patient care.

KnoWEwell is bridging that knowledge gap by creating a centralized online destination with the latest evidence-based research and connecting the dots between soil, food, lifestyle choices, people’s health and the health of the planet. KnoWEwell received the Top 50 Healthcare Companies award in 2019 from the International Forum for Advancements in Healthcare for its contributions to health care, industry impact and spirit of innovation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sharpened the focus on chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and respiratory diseases because they increase the risk of serious and deadly consequences of the virus. As an online platform, KnoWEwell provides a new community outlet for like-minded individuals to share their experiences, challenges and triumphs. It is empowering its members to navigate today’s RWH knowledge and resources, as well as find their best-matched, vetted providers to help prevent and address the root causes of their chronic diseases. Members can engage in immersive learning from thoughtleading professional organizations and these trusted providers.

“Our DNA may be our ancestry, but it does not have to be our destiny. We are building a global healing community, rooted and united through love of humanity and our planet. We are sharing healing success stories to inspire hope, foster meaningful connections and ensure that mission-aligned organizations prosper,” says Whittle. “KnoWEwell brings an unparalleled depth of health and wellbeing benefits to individuals and families and the entire Regenerative Whole Health ecosystem. Together, WE inspire and empower WELLthier living—happy, healthy, abundant and purpose-filled living.”

Natural Awakenings is proud to be a collaborative partner with KnoWEwell. With gratitude for 27 years of sharing its mission, the magazine is pleased to provide its readers with the gift of a free, basic, annual KnoWEwell membership for individuals and providers. The new platform can be found at KnoWEwell.com.

To begin a WELLthier Living journey, see page 35, which includes free membership codes.

Awaken Your Authentic Self

Jenna Galligani, MS, LPC

Intuitive Holistic Coach and owner of Holistic Awakening Center helps individuals tap into their innate intuition to connect to their soul’s purpose and live with more joy. She offers in person and virtual sessions using the following holistic modalities:

 Brainspotting  Intuitive Reiki/ Energy work  Holistic Coaching  Spiritual Mediumship  EFT/Tapping

Email jenna@holisticawakenings.com to schedule your FREE discovery call.

Holistic Awakenings Center is a sanctuary for healing and self-discovery with a supportive environment that nurtures community and connection. We offer workshops, classes, one-on-one in person or virtual meetings with experienced practitioners focusing on:  Professional Counseling  Past life Regression Therapy  Functional Medicine and Gut Health  Vibrational Sound & Energy Therapy  Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga  Reiki Classes, Shares and Attunements  Drum Circles & much more….

Holistic Awakenings, LLC

840 Walnut Street Catasauqua 610-217-8789

Check out our website for more info and upcoming workshops and classes. Join our Holistic Awakenings Tribe on Facebook.