The Earth is warming, they say. It all sounds like some abstract notion, or something happening far, far away. The earth is warming, yet you go through each day like the previous one. Nothing seems to be changing, right? Wrong. The fact is that global warming is impacting your mental health in more ways than you might think!
Numerous studies have linked a warming planet to a more distressed populace. A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that rising temperatures led to greater depression, stress, etc. An increase in the average temperature of the Earth has resulted in increased self-reporting of mental health issues, presumably because of declining productivity, trouble falling asleep, and greater suicidal tendencies. Also, people who had experienced natural disasters – which have increased due to climate change—were more likely to report mental health issues. It sounds hard to believe, but when one considers the fact that global warming is threatening the survival of both animals and humans (and not just the former), it makes sense.
Furthermore, a study carried out by Dr. Obradovich found that people posted about negative emotions more often on social media when temperatures were at their highest levels. This suggests that there could be a direct relationship between temperature and mood.
So, the next time you read about global warming, do not dismiss it. It’s not a phenomenon that doesn’t apply to you. Our carbon footprint is affecting all of us in numerous ways. Hence, we all need to play our part in saving the planet because saving Earth means saving ourselves.
