In the WorkWell Podcast by Deloitte, Jen Fisher — Human Sustainability Leader at Deloitte and Editor-at-Large, Human Sustainability at Thrive Global — sits down with inspiring individuals for wide-ranging conversations about how we can develop a way of living and working built on human sustainability, starting with ourselves.
This week, climate psychologist and consultant Renée Lertzman offers advice on alleviating climate anxiety by getting the help we need from our communities, supporting ourselves, and using our skills and talents to cultivate positive change.
On being kind to yourself when you have anxiety about climate change:
“Self-compassion is important. Remember to get off your own back with an attitude that whatever you’re feeling is totally okay and normal, knowing that our anxiety about what’s happening in the world makes total sense.”
On the value of support to alleviate anxiety:
“Make sure that you’re connected to other people who can affirm and reflect your experiences so you know there’s nothing wrong with you. You could consider therapy or joining some sort of group or circle that has resources that will support you. Do whatever makes sense for you to get the support you need.”
On taking meaningful action and giving back:
“It’s not about combating your anxiety with action; it’s problematic to say: ‘Go out and just do something and it’ll make you feel better.’ When you take action, it’s about doing something in service. Think in terms of collective action, in your organization, your community, your neighborhood, your school, your church, whatever that looks like. Every little thing we do is actually meaningful and matters in one way or another.”
On what we can do to make a difference:
“We’ve been doing things a certain way that has caused profound damage and harm to numerous beings around the planet. Now, given that, we need to ask ourselves: ‘How do we want to respond?’ And in order to do that, I think we need to pause, reflect, take stock, and take ownership. We need to say, ‘Okay, here we are in this moment, how can I leverage my particular gifts, skills, energy, and passion to be in service?’”
To hear more from Jen and Renée, listen to this full episode of WorkWell here, available wherever you get your podcasts. Visit the WorkWell library for the full collection of episodes.