Eco-Anxiety: What It Is & Simple Sustainable Habits to Start

Eco-anxiety is the heightened worry, stress, or overwhelm people feel about climate change and environmental degradation.

Eco-anxiety is an understandable response to the ongoing climate crisis. It describes the persistent feelings of unease that many people experience when they think about the health of the planet and the future of our environment.

As awareness of climate change grows and its effects become more visible in our daily lives, these feelings are becoming increasingly common. Even the American Psychological Association notes that eco-anxiety is rising and affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. (1)

It is important to recognize that eco-anxiety is not a formal clinical disorder. Instead, it is a valid and natural emotional reaction to pressing environmental challenges.

You might notice eco-anxiety amplifies in certain moments. For example, you could feel uncomfortable or sad after reading headlines about wildfires, melting ice caps, or pollution. You might worry about how much waste you generate, feel guilty about using single-use plastics, or feel helpless when extreme weather strikes your community.

These are all relatable, real-life expressions of eco-anxiety.

Feeling anxious about the state of the planet does not mean something is wrong with you! In fact, it shows that you care deeply about the world and your place in it.

While eco-anxiety can be unsettling, it’s also a sign of awareness and empathy.

If you feel this way, understand: you’ve got ecoHiny! ecoHiny is a brand focused on raising awareness of eco-friendly household options and supporting those who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

What’s even more hopeful is that by acknowledging these emotions, you can begin to find meaningful, sustainable ways to take action!

Eco-anxiety is driven by a combination of factors that can make environmental concerns feel overwhelming.

Constant exposure to climate news adds to eco-anxiety. It’s likely the most significant cause, as our connection to technology gives us access to global events at our fingertips. Whether through social media, 24-hour news cycles, or documentaries, the media keeps environmental threats top of mind, heightening feelings of fear and stress.

Real-life environmental events like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves serve as powerful reminders of climate change’s impact. Witnessing these events is another cause of eco-anxiety.

It’s also true that many people experience personal guilt over their own lifestyle choices, such as using single-use plastics or flying, even when these choices feel unavoidable.

What else might leave you feeling overwhelmed is the perceived number of decisions and potential changes required to live sustainably. (Don’t worry, we’ll help out with that in a bit!)

UNEP’s 2024 report, Navigating New Horizons: A global foresight report on planetary Health and human wellbeing, suggests that the eco-anxiety stressors and their effects will continue to exacerbate within the next five years. (2)

Why does this matter? As also noted in the report, climate anxiety, especially in young people, will have broad societal implications and reach “crisis” proportions.

The good news? Research shows that eco-anxiety improves when individuals take meaningful, sustainable action. (3)

By focusing on what you can control, you can transform concern into climate advocacy and change.

Believe it or not, there are habits that require little to no lifestyle change that create significant environmental impact over time.

If you’re looking for low-effort, high-impact, eco-friendly habits, ecoHiny has a list for you!

Do your part to reduce eco-anxiety with these simple swaps.

1. Switch to Eco-Friendly Bathroom Products

ecoHiny is a brand dedicated to making sustainable living accessible, so we offer an eco-friendly bathroom essential that is one of the easiest swaps you can make!

The traditional toilet paper industry takes its toll on our planet’s precious trees. In addition, you can expect unpleasant additives and other unwanted substances in supermarket brands.

ecoHiny is committed to helping consumers make small but meaningful changes for the planet. We’re here to give you peace of mind that you’re doing your part. Our 100% bamboo toilet paper is plastic-free, PFAS-free, and tree-free, making it a simple switch that reduces your overall environmental footprint.  

2. Reduce Plastic Waste Without Overhauling Your Life

Another simple but powerful way to ease eco-anxiety is to reduce your plastic waste.

Start by bringing reusable bags when you shop. It significantly reduces single-use plastics. Then, when buying groceries or household items, look for products with plastic-free packaging or choose items sold in glass, paper, or compostable materials.

You can also make the switch to refillable soaps and shampoos, which are now widely available and help reduce the endless cycle of plastic bottles in your home.

3. Adopt Small Energy-Saving Habits

Taking steps to save energy at home is another practical way to address eco-anxiety and make a real difference for the environment.

Simple actions like turning off lights when you leave a room or unplugging devices when they're not in use can add up to meaningful energy savings over time. (For the planet and your pockets!)

Another easy upgrade is swapping out old light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs, which use a fraction of the energy and last much longer.

4. Try Low-Waste Kitchen Habits

Ease eco-anxiety by adopting low-waste habits in the kitchen.

Starting a simple compost system for food scraps is a great way to keep organic waste out of landfills while enhancing your garden or houseplants.

Opting for reusable silicone bags and paper food wraps can take the place of those planet-harming single-use plastic bags.

5. Mindful Buying Decisions

Becoming an eco-conscious consumer is a powerful way to take control of your environmental impact and alleviate that eco-anxiety.

Mindful buying means thinking about both the products you purchase and where they come from. Rather than buying more, focus on buying fewer, higher-quality items that are built to last.

Supporting companies that prioritize sustainability is equally important! Look for brands that are transparent about their sourcing, use eco-friendly materials, and are committed to ethical business practices. Eco certifications are also admirable; search for them on the products you intend to purchase.

Simple, consistent, sustainable habits help reduce eco-anxiety by shifting your focus from worry to action!

In the face of climate change and environmental uncertainty, eco-anxiety is a natural and understandable response. While the challenges can feel overwhelming, it’s important to remember that small, mindful actions truly make a difference.

At ecoHiny, our mission is to empower individuals to reduce their impact through simple, effective swaps, such as choosing bamboo toilet paper.

We believe that each choice, no matter how minor, contributes to a healthier planet, and we’re here to help. Start sustainable living today with an ecoHiny purchase. Do your part and feel better about the planet.