The start of a new year is like a blank book with 365 pages waiting to be written. Many of us make New Year's resolutions, setting big goals as we're filled with excitement and anticipation. However, these resolutions can also bring stress and anxiety. It's like carrying a heavy backpack full of expectations.
It's normal to feel this way. We live in a society that values productivity and accomplishment. Often leading us to set unrealistic goals. This pressure can be overwhelming, especially if we've experienced past traumas or are dealing with mental health struggles.
How New Year's Resolutions Can Be a Dilemma
The most common New Year's resolutions are usually concerning career advancement, fitness goals, learning new skills, and weight loss. While these resolutions may seem achievable at the start of the year, they can quickly become a source of stress and anxiety. We set high expectations for ourselves, often feeling like we have to prove something to others or ourselves.
But what if we don't meet these expectations? It can leave us feeling like a failure, leading to negative self-talk and even more stress. This cycle can be damaging to our mental well-being and make it difficult for us to follow through with our resolutions. When you've experienced trauma, this cycle can reaffirm negative beliefs about yourself and your abilities.
What is New Year's resolution Stress?
New Year's resolution stress is a special kind of stress that happens at the beginning of a new year. It's when we put pressure on ourselves to make big changes and do amazing things in just twelve months. Instead of setting realistic goals, we often give ourselves huge expectations that would completely change our lives. This stress can show up in different ways, like feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even getting headaches and feeling tired.
It can also make existing mental health problems worse. Making it hard to cope and stay positive. It's important to recognize the impact of this stress and find ways to deal with it. You can set smaller goals that you can actually achieve, be kind to yourself, and get support from people you care about or professionals. By finding a good balance and focusing on personal growth instead of trying to be perfect, you can handle the challenges of New Year's resolution stress and feel better.
The Psychological Factors Contributing to Resolution-Related Stress
When placed under stress, you may experience fear, self-doubt and insecurity. These negative thoughts can further prevent you from achieving your goals. Here are some psychological factors that may contribute to New Year's resolution stress:
Perfectionism and Unrealistic Goals
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it pushes us to do our best and go beyond our limits. But it can also make us set goals that are too high and impossible to reach. When we set such high goals, we end up feeling disappointed and like we failed. Instead of aiming for perfection, we should focus on making progress. That way, we can celebrate our achievements along the way and keep moving forward.
Fear of Failure and Self-Criticism
Being afraid to fail can stop you in your tracks, making it tough to reach your goals. This fear can make you really tough on ourselves, which just makes you more stressed and anxious. It's important to know that failing is part of the journey, not the end. Every time you mess up, you're actually getting closer to growing. Don't be too tough on yourself - you're all still learning.
Social Comparison and External Pressure
In a world where we're all connected, it's easy to start comparing yourself to others. Social media can make it seem like everyone else has their lives together, making you feel like you're not good enough. This pressure to match others' success can lead to feeling even more stressed and overwhelmed. But everyone is struggling with their own challenges, even if they don't show it. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and journey.
How Can Past Traumatic Experiences Affect New Year's Resolutions Stress
Unresolved trauma has a profound impact on how you perceive yourself and your capabilities. It can sow seeds of self-doubt, lower your self-esteem, and make you feel unworthy or incapable of achieving your goals. This can add an extra layer of stress when you're setting New Year's resolutions. You might find yourself struggling to commit to your goals or constantly questioning your abilities. These negative feelings can be heightened by past traumatic experiences, creating a cycle of self-doubt and stress that's hard to break.
The coping mechanisms you develop in response to trauma can also influence how you handle stress. These mechanisms might have been helpful in navigating past traumatic experiences. But they can become unhealthy habits that make it harder for you to manage stress and work towards your goals. For instance, you might avoid confronting your stress, bottle up your feelings, or resort to self-criticism. These habits can make it harder for you to stick to your resolutions and increase your stress levels.
Implementing a Trauma-Informed Perspective on Resolutions
To beat New Year's resolution stress, it's important to think about resolutions with a trauma-informed perspective. That means considering how past tough stuff affects your thoughts, actions, and feelings. Understanding how those experiences shape how you see yourself and the world can help you set goals that are kind and real. It can also help to get help from a trauma therapist in Missoula, MT.
They can help you find why you're stressed and learn healthy ways to deal with it. Trauma therapy in Missoula, MT is about making a safe place for people to heal and grow. It gives them tools to get over their tough stuff and live full lives. To have trauma-informed resolutions, be kind to yourself and ask for help. You can grow and change – being perfect isn't what matters.
Strategies to Alleviate Stress from New Year's Resolutions
Dealing with the stress that comes with New Year's resolutions can be a real challenge, especially when you've had traumatic experiences in the past. But it's not impossible. Here are some strategies that can help you alleviate stress and set manageable resolutions:
Setting Attainable, Small Goals
One effective strategy is to set smaller, more attainable goals. Rather than striving for one giant leap, aim for a series of smaller steps. This approach not only makes your journey less overwhelming but also rewards you with a sense of accomplishment along the way. By celebrating each small victory, you reinforce your belief in your abilities and boost your confidence to tackle the next goal.
Practicing Mindfulness and Self-Reflection
It's equally important to be fully present in your journey towards your goals. Mindfulness practices encourage you to stay focused on the present moment and accept it without judgment. This can help alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with the pressure to achieve your resolutions. Self-reflection also plays a crucial role in this process. By understanding your stress triggers, you can devise effective strategies to manage them.
Seeking Professional Help
Remember that it's okay to seek help. A professional trauma therapist in Missoula, MT can provide invaluable support during this time. They can offer insights on healthy ways to process stress, encourage self-compassion, and guide you in setting resolutions that respect your past experiences and current realities. Trauma therapy in Missoula, MT is a safe space for growth and healing. It empowers you with the tools to overcome your challenges and lead a fulfilling life.
Self-Compassion and Kindness
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Self-compassion and kindness are essential when dealing with stress. Understand that it's okay to not be perfect and to make mistakes. Your journey is unique, and every step, regardless of its size, brings you closer to your goal. So be gentle with yourself, celebrate your progress, and remember that you are enough.
Remember to continue implementing these strategies even after the new year. These practices can help alleviate stress in all aspects of life, not just when it comes to setting resolutions. And always remember to prioritize self-care and self-compassion throughout the process. You deserve kindness and support as you work towards your goals and continue to grow.
Navigate Your New Year's Resolutions Stress With a Trauma Therapist in Missoula, MT
Setting and achieving resolutions can be a challenging and stressful experience, especially if you have past traumatic experiences. But with the right strategies and support, it is possible to navigate this stress and achieve your goals. A trauma therapist in Missoula, MT can provide a safe space for you to heal from your past experiences and empower you with tools to manage stress in healthy ways. At Bridger Peaks Counseling, our therapists are committed to nurturing growth and promoting self-compassion. Our professional, caring team of therapists offers trauma therapy in Missoula, MT to help you navigate your New Year's resolutions stress and live a fulfilling life. To start therapy with Bridger Peaks Counseling:
Make an appointment online, at your convenience
Meet with one of our expert Bozeman depression therapists
Set Your Goals While Prioritizing Your Mental Health!
Additional Therapy Services, Workshops and Resources from Bridger Peaks Counseling
In our Bozeman, MT counseling clinic, we can help you through a number of issues including anxiety, worry, stress, depression and more. Our caring team of therapists and professional mental health staff are here for you and your loved ones. Visit us for addiction treatment, group counseling sessions, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing for trauma therapy, opportunities to explore coping patterns, marriage counseling and couples therapy, postpartum depression and anxiety counseling, mindfulness training, workshops and more tools for client education. We also have a psychiatric nurse practitioner who can provide psychiatric care and medication. We look forward to talking with you soon!