A Fresh Start: 5 Mental Health Goals for the New Year
A new year can feel like a fresh start, a chance for a clean slate. When setting New Year’s resolutions, we often overlook subtle yet impactful habits that can significantly contribute to our overall happiness and resilience. In this post, we provide five mental health goals that you can integrate into your daily life to cultivate a resilient and positive mindset, paving the way for a fulfilling and balanced life.
5 Mental-Heal Goals for the New Year:
1
Implement at least 10 minutes of meditation into your day.
We spend most of our days on autopilot, our bodies present but our minds elsewhere. Whether ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, we rarely fully engage in the present moment. Mindfulness meditation can help you focus your mind, reduce distractions, and stay in the present moment. You can use guided meditations from apps like Headspace or Insight Timer or find YouTube videos. If you’re interested in learning more about mindfulness or receiving customized mindfulness practices, learn more about mindfulness training here.
2
Create a list of your accomplishments.
We spend so much time thinking about our shortcomings, so regularly celebrating our accomplishments instills a sense of pride and self-worth and creates a positive feedback loop, promoting motivation and self-confidence. Reminding ourselves of our accomplishments also helps us see that although it may not feel like major changes are being made, we’re not as stagnant as we may feel.
3
Designate “screen-free” evenings.
Unplugging from electronic devices allows your mind to disengage from the overstimulation of information, social media, and work-related content. This intentional break allows you to be present in the moment, connect with loved ones, and engage in relaxing activities. Screen-free evenings also provide an opportunity for uninterrupted self-care, allowing you to unwind and practice calming activities that contribute to a more peaceful state of mind. Embracing a digital detox during the evening hours can ultimately enhance your overall well-being, promoting better sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and a more balanced and rejuvenated mental state.
4
Practice gratitude daily.
Our mind is like a magnet; we attract what we think. If we spend our time thinking about what we want, don’t have, or wish were different, that’s what we will start to see more of. Luckily, the opposite is also true: when we are on the lookout for all the things we do have, we welcome more things to be grateful for into our lives. A regular gratitude practice has been proven to lower blood pressure; improve immune function, decrease depression; increase alertness, energy, determination, attentiveness, and energy; improve sleep quality; and improve the quality of romantic relationships.
5
Create a photography journal.
Capture moments of joy, growth, and love you experience throughout the year. When you make an effort to seek something, you will find it. The more we look out for moments of joy, the more we find it. Documenting these moments visually fosters mindfulness, enhances creativity, and helps develop a deep sense of appreciation for the simple moments of everyday life.
Remember, consistency is key. Something we do daily is more impactful on our mental health than something we do once in a while, so find a way to implement these habits into your day no matter what’s going on. If you don’t have time for 10 minutes of meditation, settle for five.
At Embodied Wellness Center, we integrate a holistic approach to mental health, combining traditional talk therapy with mind-body practices like mindfulness, yoga, and somatic healing. Reach out today to learn how to create a balanced and fulfilling life this new year!
*Disclaimer: The content posted on this website is for marketing and educational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, psychotherapy or a replacement for mental health treatment. Please seek the advice of your licensed medical or mental health professional, and do not avoid seeking treatment based on anything read on this website.
