Kick Start Your Anxiety Treatment: New Year’s Resolutions That Work
The new year is often thought to be a time for new beginnings. Many individuals feel that creating resolutions can be an effective way to start the year off in a positive direction. However, when you have anxiety, traditional resolutions may not always be effective or helpful.
They may even provoke more anxiety or lead to feelings of failure and guilt. Rather than focusing on the things that you should cut out or improve, consider instead putting the focus on fostering a healthier relationship with yourself and your anxiety. Here are some resolutions that can kick-start your anxiety treatment in the new year:
Prioritize Self-Care
Taking time for yourself to focus on activities that bring you joy and relaxation is essential for managing anxiety. It gives you time to replenish your energy and let go of the worries and stressors that come along with anxiety. While letting you do something that you enjoy, it also provides a much-needed break from constant worry and rumination.
This can look like taking a yoga class, going for a walk in nature, listening to music, or reading. It can even be taking a nap, watching a movie, or playing with your pet. It's important to choose activities that bring you joy and give you space to relax.
Focus on Gratitude
When living with anxiety, it can be hard to focus on anything but the negative. Or the feeling of fear that often comes along with anxious thoughts. Practicing gratitude can help you to shift the focus away from worrying thoughts, and instead be present in the moment. Each day, take a few moments to reflect on something that you’re grateful for.
This can be anything from being thankful for the people in your life to having a warm bed to sleep in at night. It can also be things you are grateful for about yourself or your own resilience. You can also keep a gratitude journal to write down your thoughts.
Show Yourself Compassion
You may be constantly getting caught up in the negative thoughts about yourself that can come with anxiety. This year, try to make it a priority to be kinder and more compassionate towards yourself. Talk to yourself like you would your best friend. For example, rather than thinking “I’m so stupid for not understanding,” you can think “It’s ok if I don’t understand right away, I can keep trying.”
Another way to slow these negative thoughts is by trying to identify why you're feeling this way and then engaging in self-soothing activities such as writing in a journal, deep breathing, or mindfulness. You can even use your gratitude journal to write about things you enjoy or appreciate about yourself.
Manage Anxiety by Managing Expectations
Going into the new year, it's important to remember that you are only human. It's okay for you to make mistakes and take that opportunity to learn from them. Rather than focusing on unrealistic goals and expectations, focus instead on setting achievable ones. This can help prevent feelings of guilt or failure. Breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable goals can also help to reduce anxiety and make progress more achievable. For example, if you want to exercise more, set a goal of going for a five-minute walk every day.
Consider New Ways to Manage Anxiety
Another way to celebrate the new year is to start looking for new ways to manage your anxiety. There are many different treatment and self-care options available to help you manage your anxiety symptoms. If you are not in therapy for your anxiety, you could consider starting anxiety treatment with a therapist that specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, or another evidence-based approach.
If you are already in therapy, consider supplementing your treatment with a new technique such as mindfulness or yoga. These activities are known to be helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms and can help you to develop more coping skills. This can be a resolution that helps you build a more supportive lifestyle to better manage your anxiety.
Overall, the new year is a time to focus on yourself and your mental health. It’s a great opportunity to reset and start fresh with new goals that can help you build a better life. Making resolutions that focus on self-care and managing your anxiety can be a great way to kick-start your journey into the new year. And help kick-start your anxiety treatment.
Interested in Anxiety Treatment in Pleasanton, CA
Normal New Year's resolutions can be overwhelming for those with anxiety. But if you’re interested in kick-starting your anxiety treatment, find or make ones that are achievable and focus on self-care. You deserve to take better care of yourself and give yourself the time and space to do it. If you’re ready to take the next step towards healing with anxiety therapy follow these steps.
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At my Pleasanton, California-based therapy practice, I specialize in helping people recover from PTSD, CPTSD, and trauma. I also provide emotional trauma therapy, anxiety treatment, and depression therapy. One of the techniques I use is EMDR for depression, PTSD, anxiety, & trauma. As an online therapist, all of my mental health services are available to anyone in California through online therapy.