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“Anxious people have a really hard time resting,” Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., tells The New York Times, but says, it is “one of the best things you can do.”

While the start of a new year is often a time filled with messaging encouraging us to do more and be more, Neal-Barnett, professor in 5X����’s Department of Psychological Sciences, recognizes that this can be tough for those with anxiety. Addressing the problems of a changing society, such as mental health, is a foundational value at Kent State, which also offers a number of resources to support students, faculty, staff and the community. 

Neal-Barnett, who is frequently sought out for her expertise on mental health struggles such as anxiety, also leads the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders Among African Americans (PRADAA) at Kent State. She says when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, rather than setting ambitious – and possibly unrealistic – goals, take it back to basics. Making sure you are getting quality sleep, adequate nutrition and daily movement can serve as the foundation for success when you feel anxiety preparing to take you down.

In The New York Times article, Neal-Barnett recommends filling in the blank with your go-to list. For example, she recommends, asking oneself, “When I am anxious or fearful, my go-to self-care routine is … ” These could be things like taking a walk outside for fresh air or calling a friend.

Neal-Barnett’s tips were included among several other recommendations for anxious goal-setters.

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