5 Resolutions For the New Year
It's hard to believe that we are halfway through January already. It's the time of year when we are often asked, "What's your New Years Resolution?" Now is the time when we reflect on the last year and our past selves and feel ready to make changes.
There are the common, most popular resolutions. Wanting to lose weight, eat better, or exercise more. They are all fantastic goals to set for yourself that can improve your physical and mental health states. If there is one thing that the past few years have taught us is the importance of mental health. So in addition to making those physical resolutions, you should also work on a few that aim to improve your mental health. Here are five resolutions you can make to keep your mental health game strong.
1. Meditate
It always seems as if there are a million things going on. Balancing work, careers, family, and social obligations is a challenge many face. Having some moments of "you time," may feel impossible or like a far-fetched dream. Many believe that in order to receive the benefits of meditation that you need to do it for a long period of time.
However, even just ten minutes out of the day to meditate can have amazing benefits on your mind and soul. It is proven to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and helps you sleep better at night. You can do it anywhere or at any time because it does not require any equipment.
2. Start Journaling
It is human tendency to keep things bottled up inside. For whatever reason, we don't want to feel like we are a burden or bothering other people with our problems. We are scared to open up and be vulnerable about how we are truly feeling. And sometimes, we don't even realize how we feel ourselves.
If you struggle to process your own thoughts and feelings, journaling can be a great way to move past this. You don't have to go out and buy the most expensive journal and fancy pens. A simple notebook and just a normal pen are fine. Writing on your phone or your laptop works as well. It can help you put into words what you are feeling AND it helps release the emotions. Sometimes, that is all that takes to feel better.
3. Put Yourself Out There
The winter blues are no joke. After the holidays, it is common for many people to feel as if they are in a slump. January can be one of the hardest months to get through. The weather is probably cold, there's no gatherings, and the media seems to focus so much on the negative.
Even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, there are still ways you can put yourself out there. Being social and making connections can really help improve your mental health. If you are comfortable, you can look to your local area for groups that meet up or are centered around a certain hobby you enjoy. By making the resolution to be more social, you can help your current and future self feel supported and happy.
4. Practice Self Care
Self care is more than just a bubble bath or glass of wine at night to unwind. One great resolution to make for this year is to take time each day for yourself. We are so often busy with making sure that others are taken care of that we neglect ourselves in the process. You can practice simple self-care each day by:
Plan time for yourself
Even if it is only for 10 minutes at a time that you can squeeze in, make sure you do something for you everyday. Whether that is reading a few pages in a book or taking that hot bubble bath, it will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Be Kind to yourself
Yes, this is a type of self-care. Give yourself the grace to make mistakes. Give yourself the patience to know that you are doing the best you can.
5. Take Time Away From Social Media
The internet may be the greatest invention and the worst all in the same breath. It has provided us great ways of communicating and keeping up with our loved ones easily during a pandemic. However, it can also spell disaster for our mental health because of social media. We are so caught up in constantly comparing our lives to those we see on social media. It honestly can just make us feel worse.
You don't have to do a long stretch of time, but maybe just take a break for a week or two. Social media surfing tends to take up a lot of time, and if you are feeling stretched thin, this can help you see what time you can save.
Our mental health is so important. At the end of the day, that's all we really have. Keep care of it today and this year by working on resolutions that help you relax and find peace. If you are struggling with anxiety in the new year, reach out to our office to get support.