7 Must-Haves To Start The New Year With Less Anxiety

A Better Version of You With Less Anxiety: A New Approach to the New Year

Every new year usually begins with a cliché resolution. After about a month, that resolution is normally forgotten about. So often we hear people saying “New year, new me!” But why a “new me?” Shouldn’t we embrace who we are and just continue to grow and become a better version of ourselves? Instead of making a new year resolution, consider starting the new year in the right mindset! Let’s all practice the growth mindset and tell ourselves that we will have a peaceful and calm year with less anxiety! Here are seven must-haves that I use to start the year help rid myself of day to day anxieties.

Disclosure: I am not a doctor. If you suffer with anxiety, please talk to someone and see a doctor. What I blog about should not be used to replace medical advice from a professional. These are only recommendations that I use daily that I feel would benefit others.

1. Weighted Blanket for Less Anxiety

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This was probably my best investment last year to start the new year! I highly recommend purchasing a weighted blanket for anyone who suffers from any type of anxiety (adults AND children). It comes in different weights, but you choose the weight of the blanket based on your own weight. Most brands will give you a “size chart” to figure out your suggested blanket weight. When I wrap this blanket around me, it feels as if I am receiving a giant, much-needed hug! It’s like I’m wrapped in a cocoon, protecting me from the world. Most people ask if it makes me too hot at night. Coming from someone who gets night sweats pretty often, I’m very impressed with the fact that I do not become too hot using a weighted blanket.

I have been getting the best nights’ sleep when I sleep with this blanket because it is grounding and calming. If you don’t want to take my word on the amazing effects of a weighted blanket, please read this Penn Medicine article about the benefits! If you are interested in purchasing a weighted blanket for either yourself or your child, please visit Mosaic Weighted Blankets. Start the new year with less anxiety by comforting yourself with a weighted blanket!

2. Salt Bath For Less Anxiety

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If you can’t find the time for a salt bath at least once a week, MAKE the time! I’ve said it time and time again, water is so healing! Relaxing in a salt bath is beneficial for you mentally and physically. Stress and anxiety causes tension and tightness in our muscles. The warm water along with the right bath salts will ease your mind AND your body. You can even take it up a notch and add some aromatherapy, such as lavender or eucalyptus! This Healthline article goes into detail about the benefits salt baths have on your mind, muscles, and skin.

I personally use Arbonne’s Rescue and Renew Detox Soak. If you are looking for the ultimate spa experience without leaving your own home and paying a fortune for it, here are some more Arbonne products I use, such as essential oils and lotions. Why not start the year with less anxiety with a luxurious salt bath on New Year’s Day?!

3. Salt Lamp

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I love my Himalayan salt lamp so much that I actually bought multiple lamps to keep in my home and at work! These lamps are more than just decoration. They improve your mood, sleep, and the air around you. I was very skeptical about these claims before my first purchase. However, there is something very calming about these lamps when I am around them.

Witnessing what happened when I brought one into my classroom actually shocked me. I thought there was something wrong with the lamp and I was about to return it. It seemed as though it was “melting.” Salt began to drip off of it. I would constantly find a “puddle” of salt at the base every day. After researching why it was doing that, I learned that it is pulling the extra moisture and humidity out of the air, improving the air quality. I have always said that my classroom felt very humid. So, my salt lamp was working extra hard to improve the air quality! It wasn’t doing that in my own home because the air quality is better there. To learn more about Himalayan salt lamps and their benefits, check out this article by WebMD.

4. Yoga Mat

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Purchasing a yoga mat is a simple way to help your mind health this year. But what people sometimes forget is that you have to USE IT! It can be used for more than just the obvious. Start the new year with less anxiety by using it not only for Yoga, but also for comfortable meditation. When I really need some grounding, I meditate while flat on my back on my yoga mat. You can also get more use out of your yoga mat by simply starting and ending each day with some stretches, loosening up your muscles and releasing any tension you may have acquired.

I highly recommend you leaving the yoga mat out someplace where you will see it daily. If you store it away in a closet, it is out of sight, out of mind. So if you do not want this purchase to become a dust collector, leave it out in a room where you will see it and remember to use it! Simple Living LLC has a great selection of colors, as well as accessories!

5. Less Anxiety With Meditation Videos

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Meditation is so important to maintain a calm and healthy life. This past year I just started implementing more meditation into my daily routine. Starting off the day and ending the day with meditation is ideal, but understandably difficult to make the time for. But starting with just once a day is doable! Decide when you need it most. If you have trouble sleeping, start by meditating every evening before bed. However, if you are in need of starting your day off on a positive note, meditate every morning when you first wake up.

Not sure where to begin? There is a guided mediation for everyone here at YogaDownload. Deepen Awareness with these Guided Meditations! Whether you’re looking to become more grounded, work on your breathing, or release energy, you will find helpful videos to guide you through your meditation. The great thing about these videos is that YogaDownload tells you the skill level, intensity, and any materials you may need for each meditation. You will know how much time to set aside for each meditation, that way you can can work it into your daily routine easily.

All too often we are very quick to just watch something on Netflix at the end of the day. But wouldn’t that time be better spent on your own mental wellness? You can find a video that is as short as seven minutes! If you are an overachiever, you might want to check out some of the longer, 40 minute guided meditations. Schedule time daily for meditation instead of just streaming your favorite television shows. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Setting up a daily meditation routine is a perfect way to start the new year not only with less anxiety, but also in a very calm and peaceful way.

6. Healing Crystals

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I have been purchasing healing crystals for many years. There are specific crystals you can purchase for all of your physical and emotional needs. There are a variety of books out there, as well as web sites that are very informative and can help you with what crystals you should purchase. For example, many books and sites will tell you that Amethyst is one of many crystals to help with anxiety. These can be purchased as jewelry so you can wear it easily. Or you can purchase them as tumbled stones to keep with you in your pocket. I prefer purchasing tumbled stones. I always keep one or two in my pocket, depending on what I need it for. Holding and rubbing the stone is very comforting to me. It has a very calming effect on me.

Two books that I use as a guide are “The Crystal Bible” by Judy Hall and “Healing Crystals: An Illustrated Guide to 150 Crystals and Gemstones” by Cassandra Eason. I have also purchased the majority of my crystals from Healing Crystals. They also have a variety of resources and information on their site to help you find exactly what you are looking for!

7. Less Anxiety With Music

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Of course this wouldn’t be a “Music Mind and Soul” blog post without the mention of music! In a past blog post, “Immediately Improve Your Mood With Music,” I discussed different ways to incorporate music throughout the day to improve your mood. What better way to start of the year by doing this?! Take the time to reflect and create different playlists to use throughout the day. Really focus on songs that make you happy and music that releases tension.

I also suggest asking people you are close with for song recommendations. They may introduce you to something new that you will really enjoy and fill your day with happiness! Or, maybe you have a favorite album that you haven’t played in a while. Now is the time to play it and REALLY listen to it from start to finish. Soak it all in, really enjoy it, and reflect on why it makes you so happy!

Schedule and Plan Your Routine

Try to schedule time daily for the ideas that I shared. Make a schedule for when you want to incorporate these suggestions daily/weekly and stick to it! Please comment below if you try out anything that I suggested. I would love to hear about your experiences with these must-haves! Share your stories on how you start the new year with less anxiety and how you continue it day to day! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

Peace and Love,
Melissa