Each year around this time, you may find yourself getting anxious because the inevitable questions abound: “What are your New Year’s plans?” “Have you figured out how you’re getting around traffic on New Year’s Eve?”  “Any resolutions?” “How are you going to ensure you stick to them?” Producer, writer, advocate and founder of Re:set, Aakanksha Tangri, shares four ways to enusre wellbeing in 2020 by staying the same old you

An ideal New Year’s Eve for some may include going to bed early and escaping the mayhem and flurry of social media posts accompanied with the caption “New year, new me.” The pressure of having to plan a picturesque evening to end the year and come up with people-pleasing resolutions gets overwhelming. However, it needn’t be as a self-proclaimed introvert, Aakanksha, founder of Re:Set provides her top  tips on getting through the holiday season:

Take a social media detox

I’ve already deactivated most of my social media accounts and find myself spending less time fretting over what people’s plans are and whether I’ve captured the perfect Boomerang in the run-up to the new year. Log off temporarily or delete the apps from your phone if you find yourself getting sucked into the social media vortex. My mental health has improved as I’m not falling down the comparison hole.

Establish boundaries

This can be as simple as saying ‘no’ when you find yourself getting overwhelmed with parties or commitments and are in need of some me-time. However saying no can be hard, so turn to statements such as “I haven’t quite figured out my plans yet, but once I have a better idea I can let you know,” or “I might have to take a raincheck on this, but we can catch up at a later time once things settle down.” Having an honest conversation about your emotional needs and well-being can also help. 

Find a buddy

Turn to a friend for solace when you’re over the small talk or someone who will leave the party with you when it gets too much. Let your friend know beforehand how you’re feeling and that you might need their support.

To each their own

While it’s trendy to post about your New Year’s resolutions, the pressure of it all can also make a person anxious and stressed out especially those dealing with chronic illnesses who don’t know how they’ll feel when they wake up tomorrow. If putting together a list helps you stick to these goals, then, by all means, go for it. But, if you know, it’ll have an adverse effect on you, then pass on the list. Do what works best for your well-being. If you are setting goals, look to create short-term and long-term goals. Working on one’s physical and mental well-being is a long-term goal, and the progress isn’t linear. For example, if you stress easily, instead of saying “I won’t stress this year,” turn it into “I will find a coping mechanism when I find myself getting stressed when a person doesn’t return my messages.”

Perhaps some key resolutions we can all set this year are to be kinder and more accepting of one another and our individual needs.

Aakanksha Tangri

Producer; writer; advocate. Having worn many hats throughout her well-established career, Aakanksha Tangri attributes her success to never shying away from the tough topics, earning the respect of her fellow professionals and working for some of the world's top publications and production houses.

Upon completing her Masters in South Asian Studies and International Affairs from Columbia University in 2014, Tangri leapt into the world of journalism, having begun her journey at the flagship news show for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - The National, CBC News in the summer of 2012. After her time at CBC News, she took a position at CNN New York, working on the weekly public affairs program, Fareed Zakaria Global Public Square (GPS). Through Tangri’s astute ambition and passion, it was here that her analysis of the 2014 Indian federal elections was one of the top pieces globally, where it explained the players of the election, the stakes, and what the election meant in terms of India’s relationship with the United States.

From there she worked at Vice News, interviewing personalities such as the late Chef Anthony Bourdain, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and poet Rupi Kaur. During those years she produced over one hundred stories, worked on numerous documentaries and feature stories, and hosted on-air for the global media channel.

Having grown up in a home where education was at the forefront and conversations around tough topics were always encouraged, Tangri’s curious nature was nurtured and soon led her to explore and identify major gaps within the Middle Eastern region when it came to addressing important topics such as education, mental health, well-being and inclusion. With parents, children and teachers repeatedly offering their own first-hand experiences and stories, the spark that was Re:Set was ignited, and Tangri’s determination to forge a platform to dig deeper and open conversations on these challenges was born.

With a lack of information and stigma around topics such as mental health, well-being, disabilities, and inclusion, Tangri says her determination to dismantle those boundaries and open a dialogue is only the tip of the iceberg for her vision for Re:Set. It is Tangri’s belief in the platform being a source people can trust that is its driving force. Of course, for Tangri, what is most important are the people and the stories which they share, and with Re:Set in just its sixth month since launch, it is safe to say that Tangri is only getting started.