10 New Year's Resolutions To Ease Anxiety

Often when people are freaking out about something, they are looking at it in big, broad strokes — stressing about the things they may not be able to fix for a while. But there are always plenty of little things you can do to improve your situation or lessen your worries. So the next time you start worrying about what you can't do, flip the script and make a mental list of what you can.

Getting your worries off your chest is extremely therapeutic, as is talking to a loved one. Combine the two, and it would be practically impossible not to come out of the situation feeling like a huge weight has been lifted from you shoulders. Even if you feel anxious about reaching out, the odds are good that a quick vent sesh with your bestie will make you forget what was vexing you in the first place.

Pscyhologists have found that people who express their gratitude more and find little things to be thankful for on a daily basis reap numerous mental benefits — among them lowered anxiety and a general sense of contentment. Sounds like a pretty solid reason to say thank you more, eh? Make 2017 the Year of Gratitude.

Here's the deal: any kind of physical activity will release endorphins, which will help flood your body with a sense of calm. Whether you choose to stave off your anxiety with a set of jumping jacks or by hopping in the sack is up to you.

When you start to feel your thoughts head along an anxiety-filled trajectory, force yourself to pause and question the panic. Is anyone dying? Is this a legitimate disaster? Are you hurt? Is anyone else hurt? If the answer to these questions is no, remind yourself the worry you are feeling is unrealistic.

Think about the things that often trigger your anxiety. Are they based on the unknown? Not knowing what lies ahead or how you will be able to handle it can definitely create stress. So start with what you do know — plan for as many possibilities as you can in any given situation, and you'll have more confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.

If you are prone to anxiety and haven't tried meditation, get on it, girl. On the real — The Huffington Post noted that meditation offers so many benefits to your mental well-being. For starters, it reduces stress. And I think everyone can agree that's huge for anxiety sufferers. It also increases happiness and acceptance so, seriously, what are you waiting for?

Here's a super-interesting fact out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison: people with anxiety can actually experience a heightened sense of smell and, as such, can sniff out things calmer people might miss. What's great about this is that it means you can really reap the benefits of aromatherapy. A few stress-busting oils to give a try? Sandalwood, German chamomile, basil, and anise.

When you are preparing to give birth, there's a little trick the doctors tell you — visualize something positive and let that be your center. And let's be real, childbirth is a moment riddled with anxiety. Very Well noted that this practice is called "guided imagery," and it is believed to offer significant stress reduction benefits.

When The American Institute of Stress tells you there is one "super stress buster" that evokes a major relaxation response, you obviously want to know what that thing is and how you can get more of it in your life. Well, the latter is pretty simple, since the answer is breathing. By practicing abdominal breathing for 20 to 30 minutes each day, you can greatly reduce your anxiety levels. Who knew?