I came across a headline the other day: “Climate change could push temperatures at the Tokyo Olympics to the 'danger-zone' for athletes, report warns.”

It was one that I’d seen many times before, in various forms, but all with the same message: the earth is in trouble because of careless and destructive human activity.

As part of a nonprofit team working for decades to eliminate plastic pollution, I am no stranger to this looming threat. Each day is a reminder. The pressure to save the world is in my email inbox, my day-to-day tasks, my Zoom meetings – and when I log off in the evening, it’s on my social media apps, in news updates, and it lives rent-free in my mind.

This evolving crisis gets bigger by the minute, and it can be daunting and disheartening. I admit I’ve experienced overwhelming moments of hopelessness and helplessness all at once – and in those times, it’s hard to stay motivated to keep going. 

In light of Mental Health Awareness Month, this brought me to a question that anyone facing such heavy circumstances, at any moment, needs to know the answer to: How can I practice mental self care when I start to feel small and dejected?

Our Thoughts on Taking Care of Your Mental Self

Who better to ask than my coworkers, some of whom have been working to save the world from plastic almost as long as I’ve been alive? 

The question: As you continue to fight plastic pollution and the greater issues involved on a daily basis, how do you nurture your mental health and motivate yourself to keep going when you start to feel discouraged? 

Here’s what they said.

Progress, Not Perfection

“I focus on the progress we are making! 

“Just consider how far we’ve come already as a movement. When I first started working on plastic pollution about 15 years ago, no one thought it was an issue. There were no policies in place to combat it. 

“Now everyone I meet knows that plastic is a problem material – and many are highly motivated, making changes in their daily lives. I see new reusable policies and business solutions catching on like wildfire. That gives me great hope that in another 1 to 15 years, single-use will be greatly reduced.”

And Know that it Takes Time

“It’s important to stay grounded and understand that this is difficult work that will take time to complete. Focusing on the now and short term is also very helpful, as it keeps me motivated instead of making the long-term goal of beating climate change seem so daunting.”

Live in the Moment

“I use both movement and writing as a vent for negative, stressful, and overwhelming emotions that this work can sometimes bring on. 

“I am a runner and a poet, and I see both as ways to steep myself in my surroundings and in the moment. I take a lot of comfort in resilience and in the larger sense of enduring life I get from all the growing things around me.”

Laughter is the Best Medicine...

“I highly recommend comedy when things seem overwhelming.”

…Sometimes 

“Oftentimes, just letting yourself feel all the feelings and having a long, hard cry can be incredibly healing, too!” 

Practice Positivity and Gratitude

“I practice gratitude throughout my life, and that extends to the work of environmentalists around the planet and our team right here. And I follow positive social media accounts that highlight all the good stuff out there. 

“We're bombarded with bad news 24/7 but there is so much good news out there. We have to make an effort to find the good news since the bad news is all that is sent to us.”

And Celebrate the Little Things

“I try to focus on all the incredible work that my colleagues are doing and do my best to acknowledge and celebrate them. And even just the minor task of scratching things off the to do list can feel enormously fulfilling.”

Escape the Screen

“I’ve noticed a direct correlation to watching the news and having heightened anxiety, so I try to avoid it. 

“Listening to music often helps. Podcasts are one of my new favorite forms of entertainment and sources for expanding my knowledge – especially in the last year since I often need a break from screen time.”

And Remember, Nature Heals

“I immerse myself in nature and fresh air as much as possible. I go for hikes, bike rides and walks with my family and friends.”

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“I used to travel a lot, which supported my mental health immensely. But after everything shut down due to COVID, I started to take advantage of the local environment where I live. I take walks in the park with my husband or walk along the river and just stare at the water.”

Recognize What You Can Control

“I recognize that my thoughts are what drive feelings and actions. And that my experiences and perceptions of the world happen in my mind. I get to choose what thoughts I want to give my time and attention to.

“As humans, we have it in ourselves to create new and better systems, norms, and ways of being that enable people, our communities and the planet to thrive. 

“It's true that the problems are big and daunting, but it's also true that we, as a species, are capable and courageous. When we work together, we can do great things. This mindset is what drives me every single day. And I believe that the future will be bright if we can do so.”

And Do What You Love

“This is very tough work, but it’s exciting to be doing something that I love and care about so much – both personally and professionally. That drive pushes me to keep going, regardless of how difficult or bleak things can look.”

Avoid Isolating Yourself

“Set up regular personal check-ins with colleagues who really get your work and its challenges. Support each other with the emotional, bigger-picture side of doing the work. I've found this invaluable.”

And Tap into Your Emotions at Work...

“My time at UPSTREAM has given me an outlet and access to an incredibly thoughtful and caring team. I can share what's plaguing my mind, usually during our recurring open-space team meetings and get the support I need.”

…And at Home

“I hug my husband (and my friends, now that we're vaccinated) a lot.”

Other Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month (And Beyond)

Practicing mental self care is a year-round process that, as you probably realized by this point, takes time, practice and effort. 

There are many resources available out there with tips for mental health self care. I’ve compiled a few here to help get you started. 

• Everyday Mental Health Tips by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation: A list of some daily actions you can take to help boost your mood and your resilience.  

• Caring for Your Mental Health by the National Institute of Mental Health: Self care advice, when you should consider getting professional help, and safe and trusted crisis lines available to you 24/7.

• Never Be Ashamed Of Seeking Help by the National Alliance on Mental Illness: A gentle reminder that no one is okay all the time, and wanting to get help when you’re not okay is something to be proud of.

I hope you found this beneficial to your journey towards self care and mental health – and remember it’s all a learning process, so be kind to yourself. 

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