Coping with Anxiety That Comes With the New Year

As we ring in the new year, many of us are eager to leave behind the stress and uncertainty of the past year. The month of January is known as a time for fresh starts and resolutions. Still, with all that optimism, many of us will have a hard time coping with anxiety carried over from last year.

For many, each passing New Year brings about anxiety over what is to come next, or how the perceived failures of the past will impact future success leading to higher anxiety. It doesn’t help matters at all when the cold, interminable winter months trigger heightened levels of anxiety for many individuals.

Top Causes of Increased Anxiety in the New Year

January comes hot on the heels of the holiday season, during which there could have been indulgences or overspending on gifts. The resulting credit card bills rolling in and new financial obligations are common causes of increased anxiety.

Another reason for increased anxiety in January is returning to routine after weeks of travel or quality time with the family. It is difficult to get into work mode again and fight one’s way through everyday chores and tasks after a well-deserved break from them.

On top of this adjustment period, colder weather sets in for most parts of the country, meaning more time inside and limiting opportunities for outdoor activities that generally help manage anxious thoughts better. Research has shown that a lack of natural sunlight during winter months contributes to elevated anxiety.

In addition to the personal factors contributing to increased anxiety levels people may experience in January, the emphasis society places on self-improvement at this beginning-of-the-year juncture is not particularly free of its negative impacts, either. This does not help stress levels at all, especially with the constant bombardment via social media platforms promoting fitness changes and upgraded lifestyles.

January, with its resolutions and goals, can be a month of added pressure and worry. Many try restrictive resolutions like dieting or quitting smoking but feel discouraged if they don’t see immediate results, causing further emotional distress around their goals becoming unattainable by February’s arrival if they haven’t already ditched them altogether.

Starting the new year with all these high expectations on top of trying to come down from holiday highs often leads to heightened levels of unnecessary pressure. As we can see, there are some real reasons, from financial stress to navigating family dynamics, why this is such a challenging time for mental wellness.

As we embark on another chapter filled with unknowns and uncertainty, prioritizing self-care is important, especially when dealing with New Year anxieties.

Tips for Coping with Anxiety in Culver City

• Organize and declutter your work and home spaces; this will help you start work in a calm environment that will reduce anxiety.
• Start each day with a calming visualization to boost productivity and practice deep breathing exercises when feeling overwhelmed to lower stress levels instantly.
• Prioritize self-care in a realistic manageable manner like replacing caffeine with green tea or adaptogen herbs like ashwagandha for a natural and calming way to manage anxiety rather than jumping into a rigorous diet routine out of the blue.
• Try to incorporate soothing elements, like lavender essential oil, into your self-care routine for its relaxing effects.
• Try to get as much natural sunlight as you can on those days in winter when it is there.
• Eat healthful foods rich in magnesium, like dark leafy greens, that can help reduce tension headaches brought on by anxiety.
• Avoid information overload on social media and limit screen time before sleeping for better sleep quality. Unplug from technology for at least 30 minutes each day; it’s a detox your anxiety needs.
• Try some mindfulness techniques, such as meditation. Daily mindfulness exercises will improve your mental balance during times of high pressure.
• Share projects with others so that the responsibilities and stress are lessened.
• Engage in regular physical activity. It has been proven that exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety.

Every new season gives you the chance to start over and make your mental health a priority.

Modern society sometimes glorifies a busy lifestyle and downplays the importance of one’s mental well-being, but our struggles should never be belittled or not taken seriously.

Be it on a personal or social front, you deserve relief and peace of mind. Seeking help during these months is not only brave but the key to successfully managing the symptoms of seasonal anxiety. This can be the best month of the year for breakthroughs, strategic management of anxious thoughts, and emotional regulation with the help of a licensed therapist in Culver City.

Trying to overcome anxiety on your own can be overwhelming; don’t feel like you have to do it alone. Begin the new year on solid footing, focusing on being well in mind, body, and soul.

Contact us today at Culver City Christian Counseling to meet with a trained anxiety counselor in Culver City, California.