For veteran activists and therapists, the link has been clear for some time.
Max St John, 41, had experienced symptoms of anxiety in the past.
He found it hard to enjoy his surroundings or quality time with his family as low-level despair set in.
The Work is a four-step process that starts, surprisingly, with gratitude.
Gratitude canlift mood,lower stress levels,improve social connectionsandstrengthen immune systems.
Chris Johnstone, who co-wrote a book,Active Hope, with Macy in 2012, concurs.
Sometimes people can feel a little bit impatient with gratitude, says Johnstone.
They can feel like: Ive got all this pain about the world.
I want to get in there.
Gratitude is not how Im feeling.
But when you give attention to gratitude, it gives you a stronger starting point to face whats difficult.
Vulnerable populations will be hurt worst first, and already have been.
For young people especially, anxiety about the climate might involve mourning lost possibilities.
Jamie Margolin, 17, is an activist who experiences anxiety around climate issues every day.
Around two years ago, Margolin was diagnosed with anxiety and OCD, with symptoms of depression.
It was just hurricanes and floods and wildfires all over the news all the time, she says.
Were never going to make it out of this.
I was like, What am I working so hard for?
What am I studying for?
What am I planning for?
Whats the best outcome for this situation?Couldit be OK?
You are so busy that you dont have time to lie around feeling helpless.
That was a positive experience and it helped a lot.
Recapture the scene and play it back in your mind.
For Margolin, taking action by organizing the Zero Hour march was a tonic for her anxiety.
You are so busy that you dont have time to lie around feeling helpless.
That was a positive experience and it helped a lot.
But in terms specific to climate anxiety, my only coping mechanism is doing the work.
Im trying to be clear about what is and isnt within my control or influence, he says.
I hold talks locally and work with kids to get them to really connect with nature.
Theres a benefit of working with a therapist, but I wouldnt say that you better, she says.
Its about emotional honesty: asking, Whats going on with me?
She adds, It might be triggered by a daily event in the office, for example.
Noticing you have a strong reaction, wondering, Why am I reacting to this in that way?
As you peel back layers, you might discover it actually stems from earlier experiences.
Anxiety is a genuine and exhausting condition which affects many people, she says.
It requires a compassionate and supportive approach.
