Anxiety and Climate Change

Have you been triggered lately by all this talk of climate change? I have talked to several people lately who are consumed with what seems to be the end of times. These messages we hear on the news and in other forms of media can weigh heavy on our shoulders and cause agitation in our minds.

The news seems to be a constant stream of fear propaganda. A lot of doom and gloom.

I remember when I was traveling in Nepal it was the Maoist uprisings and violence and road blocks that was all over the news. My family and friends were worried sick because it sounded so bad in the news they were watching.

We saw nothing. Noticed nothing in our daily life as we travelled around the country. The reality is life goes on. No matter what is happening, life is going on.

When I was living in Mexico, the swine flu ordeal happened. Same thing. On the news all this fear and propaganda of a big outbreak. No one, and I mean NO ONE I knew was sick. The Western world was imposing travel bans and tourism stopped abruptly. The reality was people were suffering from the story, not a virus.

For decades we have been consumed with watching TV and now our phones. We are being fed a version of reality that serves only a FEW. A narrative. It is always full of fear. We can catch on to this if we pay attention.

By paying attention it becomes easier to observe this phenomenon. It means opening our eyes to what is happening below the surface. Slowing down to take notice. What happens when we consume media? What do we notice that grabs us in? How does it make us feel? What happens after we watch our screens?

If you start to notice your body or breath you can begin to see what is going on within us when we listen to the news or other media.

Typically a fear response is triggered and autonomic patterns kick in and we basically get into a state of fight or flight. We get frozen. We can’t make a move. We are like a deer caught in headlights.

Or we revert to other self soothing mechanisms. Addictive behavior. Or escape.

Are you aware of what actions you take after consuming media? Are these actions conscious? In your best interests? Who is benefiting from this consumption?

There are MANY concerning things happening around the globe. This is not to deny climate change. This is not to say there was no violence in Nepal, or wars which are often covered in the news. These things go on. But the way we are told the story is to keep us caught in it. It is a never ending stream of fear pouring in to make us feel helpless, hopeless. The whole game of media is a trap to keep us watching, not acting.

How do we we get ourselves out of this trap?

Here's what has worked for me and MANY other people I know

• Turn off the news
• Stop watching TV
• Invest time in your Self. Or family. Or Service. 

• Stop scrolling. Or at least change your algorithm to something positive or uplifting.

If all of us turned off our TV’s and devices, we would find out we, ourselves, could be the change.

If we start thinking for ourselves, using our own brilliance to manage our lives, if we let go of all this conditioning, if we focus on love and service, compassion, respect, responsibility, if we spend our days sharing our gifts, the world will be a beautiful place.

If you don’t know what your gifts are, find them! Look inside.

We are powerful. It is us who creates reality.

We are the ones that will set ourselves free from fear and emerge as leaders with vision.

You have the power.

Connect with your Self. Re-connect back to nature.

Develop a breath awareness practice, and of course Yoga.

I love sharing what has helped me. If you aren’t already in my Online Yoga Community, join us. We are a like-minded folk supporting each other on the Path of health and harmony. If you have any questions or want to know more about living a balanced and healthy life, email me: [email protected]