Introduction: Anxiety and Stress in the New Year, Therapy The new year is often framed as hopeful, energizing, and full of possibility—but for many people, the start of the year brings new year anxiety and heightened nervous system stress. Everywhere you look, there are messages about fresh starts, big goals, and becoming a “better” version of yourself. But for many people—college students navigating uncertainty, female professionals under pressure, and busy parents carrying