Former Monk Shares Anxiety Tips That Turn Fear Into Fuel

If you care about the planet, you probably know the feeling. Your mind races. Your chest tightens. You keep scrolling bad news.
When that anxious energy hits, telling yourself to calm down can feel impossible.

According to Erik Barnes, mindfulness teacher and former monk Cory Muscara suggests doing something surprising: turn the dial up. The trick is to label the same body rush as excitement instead of anxiety. Your heart is already going fast. Your breath is already shallow. So you are not starting from zero.

Here is a simple move. Name what you want to go well. Then picture it, clearly and kindly. Maybe you give the presentation. Maybe you show up to vote. Maybe you finally call your representative about clean air. Then take one small step within five minutes, so your brain has proof you can act.

It also has research behind it. In a 2014 paper on reappraising anxiety as excitement, people performed better when they told themselves “I am excited” instead of “I am calm.” 2014 paper

@corymuscara

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♬ original sound – Cory Muscara

This matters for climate anxiety too. The problems feel huge, and the news cycle never rests. However, a surge of nerves can still become momentum. So you can use it to stay present, instead of getting stuck.

This is not a cure for everyone. If panic keeps showing up, or your daily life feels smaller, professional Support can help.
Still, for everyday stress, reframing can Support your health.

And when you feel steadier, put that energy somewhere that matters. Support wildlife, protect animals, and care for pets. Choose plant based meals more often, because it cuts Pollution and land pressure. Over time, those choices strengthen your local ecosystem and the wider environment on Earth.

Take care of yourself, and then keep fighting for a kinder, vegan future.

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