12 Simple New Year’s Resolutions to Prioritize your Mental Health in 2023
The holiday season is typically the time of year when we take the time to reflect on our lives and what changes we would like to see in the new year. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has fallen out of favor in the past few years because New Year’s Resolutions are notorious for not coming to pass. Most likely, this is because the typical New Year’s resolutions are things that are big, hard to measure, and very difficult to stick to. Vague resolutions such as losing weight, exercising more, or spending more time with friends and family are often too overwhelming. This year, we recommend making small resolutions that are specific, measurable, and simple.
Focus on your mental health this year by setting resolutions that focus on improving mental health and your overall wellbeing. Try choosing a few of these simple resolutions to prioritize your mental health in 2022
Get Active- Studies show that even a little bit of physical activity each day can help to improve your mental and physical well-being. This year you can make a resolution to go for a short walk three times a week, sign up for an exercise class, or add some simple stretches to your morning or evening routine.
Eat Healthier- Healthy eating is another excellent way to improve your mental and physical health. A healthy eating resolution could look like cooking at home at least three days a week instead of takeout, having a vegetarian night once a week, or limiting fast food to once a week.
Start Journaling- Journaling is a great way to release the stress of the day and practice focusing on the good things in your life. A simple way to begin journaling is by writing down three things you liked about your day, two things you want to do tomorrow, and one new thing that you learned. As you begin to gain confidence in your journaling, you can dig a little deeper into your self-reflections and write objectively about your life and your experiences and your interpretation of those experiences.
Plan to get away- Taking a break from the daily grind is so crucial to recentering our minds and bodies and hitting the reset button on our mental health. A getaway doesn’t have to be an elaborate or expensive trip. It can be as simple as visiting a friend or family member who lives out of town, going camping for the weekend, or checking websites like Groupon for inexpensive vacation deals.
Improve your sleep- Good sleep is one of the best ways to manage your mental wellness. An excellent resolution for improving sleep is to develop a good sleep routine. This can include setting a healthy bedtime, limiting electronics before bed, and taking a relaxing bath.
Take the first step- Is there something you’ve wanted to try or a new skill you’ve always wanted to learn? This year, resolve to take the first step towards making that happen. For example, if you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, you can decide to watch a “cook with me” YouTube video and cook a meal each week. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, sign up for a class.
Share your story- If you are someone who has experienced trauma, grief, depression, or another difficult situation, make this year the year that you share your story. You can share your story on social media, or if that is a little too public for you, you can opt for posting anonymously. Sharing your story is a great way to connect with people and inspire someone who may be dealing with the same thing.
Coloring for relaxation- Did you know that coloring is a great way to zone out for a few minutes and take your mind off the stress or anxiety you may be feeling. It relaxes your brain and is a great way to express yourself. Grab a coloring book that you think looks fun and resolve to color for 10 minutes a day.
Dance Breaks- Listening to music you love and getting up and dancing along is another excellent way to relieve stress. Music and dancing have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Make a resolution to dance to one song every day to take a couple of moments to relax and unwind. Don’t worry about if your dance moves are good or bad. Just get moving and enjoy yourself.
Me Time- Self-care is so vital to good mental health. This year you can prioritize your self-care with resolutions like getting a massage once a month, starting a new skincare routine, or taking a yoga class.
Meditate- Meditation is an excellent practice that improves depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and high blood pressure. Headspace and Calm are great apps you can utilize for daily guided meditations that take only a few minutes a day.
Celebrate the little things- Make a resolution to take a few minutes each day to think about the good things in your life. Focusing on the little things is a great way to be a happier and healthier you in 2022.
If you’ve been struggling with your mental health and want to start the new year off on a new path, we can help! Our therapists are passionate about providing you with a safe and welcoming place to tell your story. Our clinicians are trained to help you navigate and overcome struggles with depression and anxiety and develop healthy and positive life changes. In light of COVID-19, we are offering telehealth sessions over HIPAA-compliant video chat platforms. We also offer in-person sessions. If you would like to know more about our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out. (512) 400-4247.
