Yoga Day: What motivates a school student in Sweden to skip classes and go on strike against the government for meaningful climate action? What inspires thousands of other young people to join the protest? And what fuels an entire generation’s anger at inheriting a ruined earth from their forebears?
Climate change is not a new issue. It has been discussed for decades. Yet, despite global measures to curb it, the world continues to fall short. We experience its consequences daily, and it is understandable to feel uncertain about the future. It is also understandable for anxiety to take root in the minds of the generation whose well-being is under threat. This growing phenomenon among the youth has a name—eco-anxiety.
What is eco-anxiety?
Panu Pihkala from the University of Helsinki, in Chapter 9 of her book Situating Sustainability, discusses the psychological burden of the climate crisis. For many, this emotional toll is paralysing—resulting in hopelessness, despair, and an inability to act. This distress in response to environmental decline is termed eco-anxiety.
Eco-anxiety can also affect those working persistently on climate change, as heightened awareness of environmental degradation may lead to burnout. The defining traits of eco-anxiety include fear of environmental collapse and distress about the crumbling pillars of the ecosystem.
There are many causes—failure to meet Sustainable Development Goals, deforestation, species extinction, and the loss of places or elements one finds solace or nostalgia in. Climate anxiety, the most common form of eco-anxiety, can be triggered by both direct and indirect experiences. In Western countries, media coverage of climate disasters in other parts of the world often plays a major role.
Pihkala notes that young people, those living in regions more vulnerable to climate impacts, and individuals exposed to disturbing environmental news are more likely to experience eco-anxiety.
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Coping with the crisis
For many, the initial response to eco-anxiety is denial. By avoiding thoughts of environmental degradation, some attempt to escape their anxiety. But denial is not sustainable. Ignoring the crisis may feel comforting in the short term, but the long-term consequences are far more damaging.
A more constructive response lies in understanding the roots of the anxiety and addressing them while continuing to act against climate change. Although traditional therapy methods, such as cognitive behavioural techniques, have proven helpful, alternative approaches are gaining traction.
Yoga and mindfulness are increasingly being used as accessible tools to manage anxiety. A 2016 study by Lona Prasad showed that students practising yoga and mindfulness over six weeks experienced a statistically significant drop in perceived stress. The study also reported increases in feelings of calm, focus, and endurance.
Delhi students speak
We spoke to several students in Delhi about their experiences with eco-anxiety—and how yoga has helped them cope.
Akaisha Heritage, a science student from Himachal Pradesh who often resides in Delhi, shared how the city’s air pollution affects her. “Physically, I notice the effects immediately—blocked nose, dry throat, and fatigue. Mentally, there’s this constant sense of heaviness. You don’t feel like going out as much, you get irritated faster, and even your sleep can get messed up,” she said.
She continued, “It builds up slowly, and I only notice how much it affects me when I leave and breathe clean air again. It makes you realise this isn’t just random—it’s climate change. Global warming doesn’t feel like a distant concept anymore. So yeah, it does make me anxious sometimes, especially thinking that this might just keep getting worse.”
Mansha, an architecture student at Indraprastha University, recalled her move from Punjab to Delhi. “Physically, the pollution affects my breathing. Mentally, it’s exhausting. It makes me feel disconnected from nature,” she said. She shared a personal memory: “When I was a child, my father was posted in Ladakh. It was such a beautiful place—frozen rivers, unique wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Recently, he got posted there again, and it was heartbreaking to see how much had changed. The rivers have melted, temperatures have risen, and many animals are disappearing due to climate change.”
Reflecting on her travels across India, Mansha added, “It’s clear that the environment is changing fast. As someone who’s always been close to nature, the impact of climate change hits hard.”
Bushra, a psychology student at Delhi University, spoke about the personal implications of climate change. “The global climate crisis is, and will be, impacting my health, safety, food, water, and daily life. It may raise the cost of living, disrupt routines, and cause stress or anxiety about the future. Even if I do not feel its effects every day, it will slowly change the environment around me, making it harder to live comfortably and securely. It does make me feel anxious. For the next generation, it is even more worrisome,” she said.
Both Bushra and Mansha agreed that yoga had helped them manage their stress.
Bushra noted, “It helped calm me down, stay more present and get more flexible. It also fixed my sleep schedule. Honestly, it would help a lot to declutter your mind, get fitter and healthier, stay more present and focused, and calmer. So, it is an excellent investment for a student to keep their mental health in order.”
Mansha said, “I have practised both yoga and pranayama. I found them to be incredibly helpful, especially for managing stress. Pranayama helps calm my mind and regulate my breathing. Yoga is good for physical movement and mindfulness.”
What the experts say
Ajay Arya from the National School of Yoga shared insights into how yoga addresses anxiety. Having worked extensively with young people, he described them as energetic and enthusiastic learners. “In younger children, we always start with meditation and breathing. While they are incredibly flexible, they lack stability. The younger a person starts, the sooner they can build flexibility,” he said.
Commenting on rising anxiety among children, Arya added, “Lots of children are accustomed to scrolling through social media. They will scroll for hours, quickly skimming through so much information. Not only does this onslaught of information affect their mental health, but when faced with real life, their focus is impaired. They cannot fixate their attention on one thing for too long—their mind wanders. This fickleness of mind results in feelings of anxiety for many.”
Arya offered practical solutions. The first step, he said, is to manage symptoms through breathing techniques. Deep breathing and various forms of pranayama can help control shortness of breath. Balasana, or child’s pose, calms the body. Meditation and chanting, he explained, allow the mind to focus on one sensation, reducing mental clutter.
He also criticised the growing reliance on medication to treat anxiety in children. “There is no cure for anxiety. Most medication sedates a person and isn’t the healthiest of options. Practising yoga, mindfulness, meditation—is always better,” he said.
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A generation at the crossroads
The testimonials of students and teachers alike reveal a sobering truth: anxiety about climate change is growing. But this emotional energy can be harnessed and redirected. Yoga offers a low-cost, accessible method to centre the mind, build resilience, and stay focused.
We must not let our generation be defined by anxiety. Instead, we must be driven by passion and resolve. The world needs change—and it is up to us to become that change.
