The new year can come with a lot of stress – cleaning up from the holidays, starting resolutions, and returning to work and school from break. Here are six things you can do to manage your new year’s stress and start the year on a positive note.
- Make Attainable Goals
Many of us start the new year with large aspirations and goals: getting healthy, losing weight, making more money, spending more time with family and friends, and more. Broad goals can be harder to achieve, and they can seem often insurmountable, leading to feelings of stress and inadequacy. Break your broad goal into several, smaller tasks that you can realistically achieve. For example, instead of trying to “get healthy,” make a goal to take a 15-minute walk around your neighborhood a couple of times a week or runaround and play with your kids outside after dinner. - Stay Active
Exercise is a wonderful way to deal with stress and anxiety. Get outside if you can and enjoy the beautiful Colorado scenery. Walks, bike rides, and hikes are all simple and affordable ways to stay active. - Practice Saying No
Communicate with your friends, family members, and coworkers when you have too much on your plate. It can be easy to take on too many projects during the start of the new year, and saying no to certain activities or projects can give you time to rest and recharge. - Examine Your Relationships
The new year is the perfect time to examine and refresh your relationships. Are the people in your life filling your cup and providing you with love, kindness, and support? Did any cherished friendships or relationships fall to the wayside during the hectic holiday season? Take some time to reconnect with those who are important to you. - Talk About Mental Health
People often avoid talking about mental health for fear of stigma. But, talking about mental health and normalizing it can help improve our physical health, make us more productive, and help us become better functioning members of our society. It can also help people around you, like your partner, children, and extended family members, to discuss their mental health and seek help if needed. - Ask for Help
If you find that you or a family member needs additional help, reach out to a mental or behavioral health provider. These professionals can provide support and resources to help you on your mental health journey.
Sherri Sharp, PhD
Behavioral Health
