The beginning of a new year often prompts reflection on the past year and what you want to do differently moving forward.

When making resolutions, it’s advisable to choose a few that are meaningful to you and realistically attainable rather than just one that is overly complex, or so many that they are beyond your reach. Here are some suggestions to consider if you want to better manage stress and improve your physical and mental health.

Declutter

Getting rid of clutter helps reduce anxiety. People often feel a sense of relief after sorting out a junk drawer, emptying the car trunk, shredding paper, deleting files or deep-cleaning their household. Try this:

1. Safely discard or pass along things that:

• Don’t elicit feelings of happiness or love
• Are never or only rarely used
• Are worn out, no longer fit or not in style
• Are untidy or disorganized
• Take up too much space
• Are unfinished (and unlikely to be finished)
• Exceed expiration dates or may be toxic
• Could benefit someone who has less than you

2. Don’t let things pile up. For instance, set aside time daily to delete unwanted emails and pick up around the house. Use secure, web-based platforms for routine transactions such as banking, paying bills and signing contracts to reduce paper clutter.
3. View your workstation with a critical eye. Take steps to eliminate messiness, visual distractions, trip hazards or poor lighting. Create easy-to-access, organized spaces for items you frequently use or want to keep.

Let It Go

Consider incorporating these “let-it-go” tactics into your daily life:

1. Inventory: Ryder Carroll, who created a method called the Bullet Journal to help people live “intentional lives,” suggests taking a mental inventory, listing priorities (e.g., must do versus nice to do or don’t need to do) and focusing energy on accomplishing critical tasks. To achieve success, break down priorities into manageable parts.
2. Distractions: If you find yourself going down web search rabbit holes or constantly checking text messages and email, create a plan to break these patterns. Set time-limit reminders and take breaks from your computer and smartphone, as feasible. Schedule blocks of time to reduce interruptions.
3. Engagement: Maintaining social contact with other human beings is important to mental health. Confiding in a therapist, trusted partner, friend or family member helps control racing thoughts and inform decision-making.
4. Meditation: The mind and body practice of meditation has been around for centuries. One simple way to help clear the mind is through focused breathing. Another way is to intentionally watch thoughts come and go without judgment. Studies suggest mindfulness meditation deactivates the brain’s default network, which is active during passive moments, when recalling or anticipating events, and when making social inferences.
5. Renew: Most people feel refreshed when they change their usual routine. While the pandemic requires taking precautions to stay safe and healthy, it’s still important to plan quality time away from home and give your mind and body needed respite.

Be Kind to Yourself

As you work toward your goals, acknowledge your accomplishments. Maybe the garage is still a mess, but you finally organized your filing system and donated some items to the thrift store. Reward yourself by doing something simple that you enjoy.

It’s important to pay attention to what brings you happiness and lifts your spirits. Conscious efforts to find sources of solace and cultivate a positive attitude help put your mind at rest. It’s never too soon or too late to change behaviors that you believe will have a lasting positive impact on your health and well-being.

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