I think of worry as not actionable. If I know eating too much chocolate that will affect my teeth I can take action and eat less chocolate. Simply worrying abou

I think of worry as not actionable. If I know eating too much chocolate that will affect my teeth I can take action and eat less chocolate. Simply worrying about it does no good. Idle worrying and talk, or online armchair second-guessing politicians and military leaders from a safe distance (as you can read in the comments on this thread) just wastes time and energy and causes more personal stress. Worrying about the Ukraine war, or Taiwan, or possible escalations of those conflicts, does no good except to make my mental health suffer. Writing to my member of Congress, or joining demonstrations, or doing anything that might sway politicians amounts to some kind of action, though very likely futile given the way American government works. More immediate problems that elicit lots of press and demonstrations and letters to Congress, such as homelessness, gun control, etc. don't necessarily affect government policy. Some action is better than none I suppose, but action isn't the same as worry. I have friends who live in Kiev. I can do my small part to help them get out. I can contribute to relief efforts. I probably can't influence politicians in Washington, much less the Russian regime.