SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Setting New Year’s resolutions can be overwhelming at times, but there is a way around that stress.

January 1st is no different than any other day, but it can be a chance to improve some things in your life. You can make changes to improve your mental or physical health, relationships with others or to meet your career goals.

Whatever your resolutions are, know that there are ways to achieve them stress free, according to Oby Okeke, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Memorial Health. She said that the key is to not get overwhelmed.

“And the key to not get overwhelmed is to not set goals that are too stressful,” Okeke said, “that are not attainable. Oftentimes, using short term goals, maybe making a week goal, a month goal, and then looking for that long term year goal.”

First, identify your intentions and then identify key small steps every day that led to your long-term goal.

“For example, if my goal was to eat healthier, I would start by maybe just trying to drink a cup of water with one of my meals,” Okeke said. “So, we’re not going to drastically state that we’re going to lose that ‘x’ amount of weight, but we’re really focusing on those short-term steps that’s going to lead to that long term goal.”

She asked that you don’t be too hard on yourself and to view your goals as intentions. Another example of a common resolution is wanting to prioritize time with loved ones.

“If that’s a goal for me, then what are some small steps that I can take? Maybe I can reduce my phone time during the day or at dinner time,” she said.

Okeke also encouraged everyone to start working mantras or positive self-talk into your day to day.

“Each day is a new day, and maybe that’s a mantra that you want to start saying each day,” she said. “So, knowing that if I didn’t get something accomplished today, I have tomorrow and really just looking forward to kind of working towards bettering yourself overall.”

If you ever do feel pressure from yourself or others to meet certain expectations, make sure to seek professional help or advice.