Resolutions Causing Stress?

New Year's Resolutions, if done right, can lead to a happier, more fulfilling, and less stressed lifestyle. (See this article for how to set and keep your New Year's Resolutions more effectively.) However, keeping resolutions can also be stressful. Especially if you go about trying to keep your resolutions the way most people do, by this time of January (or sooner), you may start getting discouraged, may have even given up, or may be experiencing a buildup of stress from trying to change too much, too fast, or as a natural by-product of the changes themselves (especially if you're trying to give up an unhealthy habit without lots of support or preparation). For example, those who are trying to give up smoking--a popular resolution--may be feeling the effects not only of nicotine withdrawal, but of the stress that comes with giving up a primary coping strategy and needing to find new coping techniques to deal with the stress.

Even if you're not fully aware of it, this stress may be spreading to the people around you, or may be wearing on you in subtle (or obvious) ways. You may be short-tempered or out-of-sorts. If others are dealing with their own stress (and January is perhaps the most stressful month of the year, so this isn't unlikely), this can lead to stress within relationships.

Where does the stress come from? And what can be done to successfully manage it? Read about New Year's Resolution Stress and see!

Discuss: Did you set any resolutions this year? How are they coming? Are you feeling stress associated with making the changes, or are you just feeling good about the whole thing? Share your experience in the comments or in the Stress Management Forum.