HEALTHY MIND MATTERS

Having Realistic Expectations For 2021 Is Important, Doctors Warn

Dec 24, 2020, 7:00 PM | Updated: Dec 28, 2020, 9:00 am

PROVO, Utah – Many of us are banking on 2021 being a better year. But the reality is we face many months before life starts getting back to normal, and experts said there are dangers in having unrealistic expectations.

In a year of loss for so many of us, Jessica Preece gained a COVID-19 puppy and that’s not all. She got COVID-19 chickens, too. “Rosebud is in charge,” Preece said. “They’ve just been a delight and it’s been fun to have the fresh eggs and to share them with neighbors. It’s a pretty great consolation prize.”

Preece, a professor in Provo, is keeping expectations low for the New Year. “People think the clock is going to strike at midnight, Dec. 31, and it will be 2021 and everything that’s been bad about 2020 will be gone. But that’s not how it works,” she said.

Dr. Kristin Francis at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute said a realistic approach is wise. “If you don’t set yourself up to have realistic expectations, you’re more likely to be discouraged or fall into despair if things don’t work out as you expect or hope,” Francis said.

Expecting too much too fast could be dangerous, experts said. Science tells us the risk to mental health may increase after a disaster is over. The suicide rate in the U.S. was 6.4% higher the year after the 2008 economic crisis, according to BMJ, the British Medical Journal.

Francis said that could be because the adrenaline has worn off at that point, and exhaustion set in. “When their expectations aren’t met, they just feel completely discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel,” she said.

It’s important to note suicides have not risen in Utah during the pandemic, and experts believe with the right resources, people can find help.

Finding a balance of hope and skepticism is important. “It’s going to be a slow dawn, and to be able to enjoy those small changes as they come and see those as triumphs, that will help I think lift your spirit,” Francis said.

For Preece, that starts with expressing her feelings. “To just go ahead and feel sad when I’m sad and angry when I’m angry,” she said. “But then also remember that the absence of some things, allows for the presence of other things.”

Noting the lessons learned in 2020 and how they’ll help us in 2021 is also helpful, experts said, while keeping it real. “I really am not planning on much of anything until, like, summertime. Just better to keep those expectations modest,” Preece said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Healthy Mind Matters

Group is walking to Wendover for suicide preventin and awareness...

Ayanna Likens

100-mile walk to Wendover raises awareness for suicide prevention

Several Utahns are taking part in the annual 100-mile walk to Wendover from Tooele City to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Ayanna Likens

Why bipolar episodes tend to rise in the spring

The change of seasons can be really hard for people who struggle with their mental health. Winter months can lead to more depression, and the shift to spring can lead to more bipolar episodes.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Jed Boal

Today is Teen Mental Wellness Day – here’s ways to help your teen

Teenagers who are struggling with their mental health are not always eager or ready to reach out for help. Thursday is Teen Mental Wellness Day, so we wanted to share some ideas with teens and parents who are seeking answers.

1 year ago

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than w...

Ayanna Likens

Study: African American and Black adults are more likely to suffer from mental illness than white adults

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Lauren Steinbrecher

St. George mom shares warning after FBI sees rise in sextortion scams targeting teen boys

A St. George mom is sharing a warning for other parents, as the FBI says it's seeing a huge rise in teens targeted in sextortion scams.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Karah Brackin

Students across Utah come together to learn the importance of mental health care

Mental health, wellness and suicide prevention — they're all big topics of conversation, and more and more, those conversations include our kids. That's where Hope Squad is coming in to help.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

Having Realistic Expectations For 2021 Is Important, Doctors Warn