Anxious about the New Year? Here are some expert tips to help you sail through

Are you someone who feels anxious when you are not sure about something or thinks a lot about all the unpredictable situations? If you answered yes to this question, then let us tell you: you’re not alone. 

But have you ever wondered why you might be feeling anxious and stressed about the new year? Well, let’s blame this one on the pressure and expectations a new year brings. With everyone out there going gaga over their resolutions and goals, you may feel the heat. 

Also, a new year is the time when everyone thinks about the past and their mistakes—and not repeating them becomes a concern for a lot of people which gives rise to anxiety and stress.

When we talked to Dr Bhavna Barmi, a renowned Delhi-based clinical psychologist on how to manage new year’s anxiety she said: “People set very high expectations for the future while welcoming a new year. And if their perceptions are negative, like what if I remain unemployed in the next year, they get anxious.”

Also, read: Here’s what happens when you ignore anxiety, according to a psychologist

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Dr Barmi further points out other reasons that can cause a surge in anxiety:

• Getting caught in past events and lamenting about the future
• The uncertainty of the whole new year 
• Changes which can be stressful to think about
• The societal pressure of making personal growth 
• The pressure to create new year’s resolutions and the act of fulfilling it

Dr Barmi further says, “Anxiety is a common emotion when dealing with daily stressors and problems. But when these emotions become regular, excessive and persistent that it starts  affecting your life, it becomes a disorder.”

If you’re also facing new year’s anxiety, then these tips from Dr Barmi might help you:

1. Always eat well-balanced meals and try not to skip any meals
2. When you are anxious your body needs additional sleep and rest. So, make sure you get enough sleep
3. Make sure you are living an active life. Include exercise or some other kind of activity in your daily life to maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below.
4. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn’t possible, be proud of however close you get
5. Accept that you cannot control everything. And try to put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think?
6. Maintain a positive attitude. You can do so by focussing more on the positives than the negatives
7. Get involved and volunteer for a cause and be active in the community. This way it will create a support and a break from your everyday stress
8. You can maintain a journal and write in the insecurities and thought to reflect back and to work on it
9. Don’t think that you are alone. Talk to someone and tell your friends and family about how you’re feeling, and let them know how they can help you. If the feeling is way too overwhelming you should talk seek professional help
10. Practice gratitude and be thankful for even the smallest things