Maybe. It depends on the situation. If I’m feeling anxious to the point where it is hindering my ability to enjoy existing then I use that as the trigger to take action. First step for me is usually identifying the source of my anxiety. Sometimes this is easy, but sometimes this is the most difficult part. I do this by using a combination of thinking and movement. Am I sitting at my desk? Maybe I should get up and stretch. Am I pacing back and forth? Maybe I should sit and start writing my feelings/thoughts down.

Once I’ve identified the source of my anxiety I use the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated up to this point to determine a strategy for dealing with the source of my anxiety.

For example: I might be feeling anxious on a Saturday night because I’m home alone watching anime and I feel like I’m wasting my life. If I truly believe my anxiety arises from a feeling of not doing or engaging with anything in a meaningful way, then that gives me a direction to move in. What’s something I can do that feels meaningful? Maybe the answer is to call my brother, or leave my apartment and take a walk, or read a book. The answer can be whatever “feels” right. And if nothing feels right then I dig a layer deeper and repeat the process.