Sites which may be useful to you
For help with ways to help yourself based on the CBT model you might like to read more at the Get Self Help website.
Mindfulness and meditation apps really are a longer term solution and build up our capacity to tolerate different emotional states over time. My favourite free meditation app is Insight Timer meditation app (opens in new tab)
There are many free meditation apps available on line, find one which works for you. Meditation helps 90% of the population.
If we have trauma in our history then it is commonly understood that the trauma will be, to some extent, held in our bodies, not literally but in that the need to protect oneself from perceived threats is stored in the memory and emotional centers of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. This book might be useful in helping you to understand your experiences.
Poly-vagal theory is the study of how the vagus nerve helps us to regulate emotions. This Wikipedia page provides an overview of poly-vagal theory. And these videos by Sukie Baxter (open in new tab) demonstrate ways to work with trauma.
For ideas and suggestions and some psycho-education on emotional regulation this page at Betterup.com has some good information. You might also like to read this PDF (opens in a new tab) from the Cornell University website. Emotional regulation/distress tolerance is often helped by the I.M.P.R.O.V.E acronym – which stands for Image, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing in the moment, Vacation & Encouragement. You can learn more at this link DBT self-help which opens in a new tab. This is a useful website too NZ Mental health website (opens in new tab).
I think there are some useful tools and self-help resources on this website Self help resources (opens in new tab).
You might think it strange to wonder about emotions, it’s obvious isn’t it? Well, perhaps not. It can help to wonder what are emotions? Or How do I experience them? This DBT website PDF might help you to think about your own emotions and how you experience emotions in your body.
Recognising our window of tolerance can help us emotionally regulate, this page at the ‘mindmy peelings’ website might help you recognise and regulate your own psychological state.
There are many mediation apps available, just google it and find one that you’d like.
For help with climate anxiety and climate crisis related resources, try the Climate Psychology Alliance website.
I also have my own page dedicated to climate psychology – a subject which I have studied extensively and a space I am very active in.
Young adults might find this substack useful, its called Generation Dread and I recommend checking it out. It can help to know we are not alone with our dread and fear, and I have found some insightful ways of looking at climate related themes.