New year, new stress

People often feel anxious before the start of a new year due to a combination of societal pressure, self-reflection and a fear of the unknown. By CAMILLA FOSTER

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AS the year draws to a close, many of us naturally take time to reflect on the months gone by.

Once the excitement of Christmas fades, some people might start to experience New Year anxiety and fixate on all their unmet goals.

Here Dr Ravi Gill, a health psychologist and founder of Smart Mind Health, explains how this anxiety can show up and impact our daily life, and shares some practical tips on how to manage it.

What are some signs of New Year anxiety?

“A common way to recognise anxiety would be look at the thoughts that come up and their frequency,” says Dr Gill. “So, think about how frequently you are thinking about the things that you haven't done.

Anxiety can often cloud your judgement