3 Tips to Relieve Your Anxiety and Kick off the New Year 2023
Hey folks! Jeremy from Everything You here!
Tip 1: Make Changes to Your Schedule
Starting the new year can be quite overwhelming, especially since it is meant to be a time of reflection, setting goals, and new beginnings. To reduce some of your anxiety and ease into a more organized lifestyle, it might help to adjust your daily schedule. Think of activities that you can do that will give you a sense of calm. Prioritizing self-care activities like taking a walk, doing yoga, writing in a journal, etc is a great way to meld relaxation into your everyday routine. Additionally, try to get in the habit of going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Having consistency to your schedule can be a great way to keep anxious thoughts at bay.
The start of a new year can cause feelings of anxiety, even without the additional pandemic-related stress. To help you kick off the New Year 2023 on the right foot, one of the best things to do is to consciously relax your mind and body. This can be done with various relaxation techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and more. Meditation can help manage the racing thoughts, reduce tension, and help you to fall asleep faster. Deep breathing exercises can be used throughout the day and can even be done while sitting in traffic or waiting in line to help reduce your anxiety levels. Lastly, progressive muscle relaxation helps to reduce tension in your body and allows for a more restful night’s sleep.
Tip 2: Eat Healthily
Drastic changes to your diet can cause a surge of stress, so try to make small changes on a regular basis. Start with simple things like reducing the amount of sugar added to your meals or swapping out some unhealthy snacks for healthier options. Drinking plenty of water is also important for both physical and mental health. It is okay to allow yourself to indulge in treats on occasion, but be mindful of how your body feels after eating overly processed foods.
Having a plan of action in place to take care of yourself will help you to reduce your anxiety levels while you kick off the New Year 2023. Start by creating a self-care schedule that fits into your lifestyle. Making time to do activities that actively reduce stress in your life is key, like doing yoga, going for a soothing walk in nature, listening to relaxing music, etc. You can also make time to do activities that you genuinely enjoy, like playing video games with friends or going for a hike with your family. You can create your own specific activities or rotate them to keep things interesting, this will allow you to make time for yourself and stay away from stress.
Tip 3: Practice Self-Compassion
Being hard on yourself can stir up lots of anxiety and it will be a major part of your lifestyle in the new year. Negative self-talk can cause a lot of issue and make it difficult to make meaningful progress. When you start to feel overwhelmed, take a step back and assess the situation in its entirety. Remind yourself that it is okay not to be perfect and that each day is a chance to start over and push forward toward your goals. Try to recognize your own strength and celebrate the small wins when they come.
Although it is important to focus on self-care activities, sometimes you may need a little extra help to reduce your anxiety levels and make the most of the new year. Sending a text or video call to a friend or loved one can help to get rid of negative thoughts and provide emotional support when things are tough. If you have access to a healthcare professional, such as a therapist, check in with them to get the help you need. Even if things look good on the outside, they may be able to offer some extra suggestions or advice to help you manage your anxiety.
These three tips can get you off to a great start as you navigate the new year. Your mental health is of utmost importance, so find balance and listen to your body as you ease into 2023. Taking mindful steps to manage your anxiety can be a great way to set the tone for the rest of the year.