As we reach the end of another year, it’s common to face a set of difficult emotions. Between holiday stress, realizing you haven’t met your goals, and anxiety over time passing and what’s coming next, most folks feel lost. The holidays can also be a difficult time for those who lost loved ones, suffer from seasonal depression, or feel disillusioned as the “holiday magic” of their youth has faded with adulthood. 

Common sense still says that “closing a chapter” can stir up negative emotions in people. Even though there are challenges, the bright side is that a new year signals a new beginning. Many people choose to make resolutions and tackle new projects, which can be an exciting prospect. There is no miracle cure for the anxiety a new year brings, but we believe that mindfulness is the key to starting on the right foot.

Hopefully, we’ve all heard of “gratitude,” right? From the Latin gratia, meaning grace, it has come to mean having an earnest, thankful attitude and appreciation for things we receive, both physically and circumstantially. According to studies conducted by Harvard University, there is a strong and consistent correlation between gratitude and overall happiness. Many therapists have begun incorporating gratitude into their talk therapy dialogue. It’s also become a bit of a craze in the wellness community, which is gaining traction among the younger generation.

Gratitude represents a cornerstone of positive thinking: if you can see the bright side, you can accept your circumstances and appreciate the quality of life that most of us take for granted. Gratitude can be practiced by taking inventory of your blessings or appreciating the little things. It can be an internal reflection or speaking to others about what you’re thankful for. The best part about sharing your feelings of gratitude is that it often creates a ripple effect that reminds other people to reflect positively on their experiences as well.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, is the idea of being present in mind and body — being aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment. To practice mindfulness while stepping into the new year, try addressing your feelings even though they are difficult. Consider being aware of your effort and the people by your side. Take note of your emotions while you accept any changes and new ideas that come to you.

Putting these two concepts together can give you a sense of ease, motivation, and clarity while you make your plans. We’ve come up with a short list of practices you can try for yourself to incorporate mindfulness and gratitude for the year ahead:

• Make a list of experiences that had a positive effect on you this year. Take a moment to replay them in your mind. Then, write them down or talk about them. Try to give thanks for the happiness the experience brought you. 

• As you approach the new year, take an inventory of your feelings. Are you afraid? Excited? Disappointed? Try to tap into why you feel how you do. Validate those feelings. Accepting the negative emotions can bring you closer to peace; appreciating the positive emotions will help maintain your motivation to take the next step.

• Try a gratitude journal or fill a jar with thoughts. If you want to make a habit of being more mindful and showing more gratitude, a journal or jar is a great physical reminder. Make entries as often as you feel is appropriate. 

• Try a guided meditation; there are tons of resources online to help you show gratitude in different ways that actually resonate with you.

• Spread a bit of positivity to your friends and family. Remember that gratitude has a ripple effect. Reaching out to others to appreciate them and having a positive mental attitude can help uplift others and break negative cycles. 

• While setting goals, try to focus on the intrinsic value of the goal instead of the external circumstances that will get you there. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, it might be important to ask yourself why. Perhaps you want to take better care of your health or gain confidence. Remember that your goals should fulfill YOU first, and other people's expectations and opinions do not need to shape your life. 

A country-wide mental health crisis continues to batter the population as we try to move forward together. Of course, we don’t have all the answers, but we do know each of us holds a piece of our recovery. Taking care of your mental health, incorporating positive life changes, and uplifting those around you is more critical than ever.

Take time to enjoy something you love this holiday season. Truly savor it for all that it’s worth. If nothing else, this year did not kill us. We had a few laughs along the way, and every challenge we faced has given us new knowledge. No matter who you are and where you're at in your life, it is never too late to turn a new page and create a future that is worth looking forward to.

From all of us at bareWell, we wish you happy holidays and a happy new year.