New Year, New You: How to Deal with Anxiety

Surrounding New Year Resolutions

The New Year is often a representative as a time for growth and change, but for many it is also a time of immense stress and anxiety, as we are pressured by society to transform ourselves in some way. Gone are the words of encouragement to participate in the joy of eating and the festivities full of merriment, and in their place comes the dreaded New Year’s Resolutions. Where the feasting and recipes for sweets, treats, and eats once was, now are the adverts for diet fads, gym memberships, and weight loss pills. And they are everywhere. On your television, social media feed, and even present on your regular commute to work. The phrase “New Year, New You” seems to be plastered on every TikTok, every Instagram story, and every advertisement as you scroll through Facebook. It often feels like everyone is doing something to improve themselves whether they are going to the gym, traveling more, or picking up a new hobby. However, though these resolutions may have good meaning behind them, they often fall flat. Leading many of us to feel as though we have failed where others seem to succeed so easily. This can cause an increase in our thoughts of hopelessness, and worthlessness, as well as a fear for our ability to grow as an individual. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid a lot of these feelings by developing and initiating a plan for handling what ever resolutions you decide to make yourself. 

Tips for Handling Resolutions

1. Choose a Realistic and Attainable Goal. 

Instead of saying I want to lose weight. Identify a realistic amount of weight that you want to and can lose in a physically safe and healthy manner.

2. Develop a Plan to Meet Goal.

Once a goal has been established it is time to develop a timeline to complete said goal. It is important to consider how much time and energy you can give towards meeting your goal. So instead of saying, “I am going to work out every day.” Say, “I am going to work a few hours a week when a can.” It may seem small, but it is a good start in maintaining progress, and avoiding the stress of pushing yourself too hard. 

3. Talk to the Professionals. 

Have questions? Need information? Talk with your Physician, Therapist, Personal Trainer, or/and Coach to help you make the best decisions for your overall health. 

4. Initiate the Plan. 

Once you have developed a plan to obtain your goal it is now time to get to work. As you start going through with your plan, you may need to make changes which is okay. Things happen, it is important to stick with it and do what you can. A little goes a long way. 

5. Remember it is Okay to Slip Up. 

No one is perfect. One of the main causes of resolution anxiety is the fear of failure. 

6. You Don’t Have to Make Resolutions. 

Above all remember that you don’t have to make resolutions if you don’t want to. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you be more successful in whatever resolutions you decide to make even if it means not making any.