Climate action and selfcare
Climate action week offers opportunities for selfcare and caring about the planet
Leading up to selfcare week I wanted to share different ideas and ways that we can be kind to ourselves, each other and the planet. Climate action week offers a chance to consider how we can be kind to the planet.
How often when asked what we do for selfcare do we share something connected with nature? There is a lot of work now showing how connecting with nature is good for our mental health, this piece may be of interest https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/nature-how-connecting-nature-benefits-our-mental-health
Amazingly, being kind is also good for our mental health as this piece also shares https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/kindness
It is amazing how caring about the natural world can in turn support our selfcare and wellbeing. Sadly though, when we mention climate action many people begin to experience anxiety, feel overwhelmed with everything else in the world to worry about that this is something else, to worry about, feel guilty for. All of this drains our energy and makes it less likely we have the energy needed to make changes.
For some time, COPE Scotland has been offering climate action without despair workshops, the aim to help us see we can take steps to be kinder to the planet, yes there are many things beyond our control, however, we often have more agency over some things than we realise. Focusing on the 15% in our control creates a ripple effect. The poster in this link https://www.copescotland.com/resources/climate-action-without-despair shares some of the ripples when people get together to share ideas that work towards a vision of a kinder world for people and the planet.
It is our intention to load the slides and facilitators notes for running a climate action without despair workshop in your community, group or with friends and family, on our website. This will be free to download as in these challenging times many are feeling the pinch so when we can share, we will. Together, we can be the change one small act of kindness at a time.
Thanks for reading
Hilda