How to Make Practical New Years Resolutions for Your Mental Health

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As we take on 2022, it’s important to acknowledge our mental health.
Whether last year was good or bad for you in any way, it’s important to be kind and patient with yourself as your set resolutions.

A study on New Year’s resolutions found that about 40% of Americans set resolutions at the start of the year, and less than half are successful after six months. We all want to make positive and impactful changes in our lives, but how can we make the changes last?

Here are 5 tips we suggest you put into practice for your new year.

1.) Keep Your Goals Realistic.

When setting resolutions, it’s important to take time to reflect on the change you wish to see and what you realistically can do to achieve that change. By taking smaller, more achievable steps towards your goals, there is a greater chance that you will keep them.

This applies to all kinds of resolutions, including mental health. You can help manage your mental health symptoms by taking small steps every day.

2.) Make time for self-care.

Brainstorm a list of self-care activities that make you happy and schedule them as part of your daily routine. This could be structured therapy sessions or daily exercise or simply an outdoor walk or time with loved ones. If you’re not sure how to fit self-care into your busy routine, read this article for more tips.

3.) Limit your screen time.

Spending too much time on your phone or computer can impact your quality of sleep, your relationships and even lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Be conscious of how much time you’re spending online and the impact it has on your mental health and make adjustments if needed. When it comes to social media, use these tips to use the platforms in a positive way.

4.) Learn more about mental health. One of the best ways to improve your mental health is to understand it. There are online resources available that provide information about common mental health and substance use conditions or you can talk to a medical professional to learn more about your specific situation. You can also take a Mental Health First Aid course. MHFA teaches people how to understand, identify and respond to signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance use challenges.

5.) Practice self-acceptance. New Year’s resolutions often focus on improving some part of who we are, such as our physical appearance. Instead of trying to change, use the new year as an opportunity to practice self-acceptance and self-love.

We hope these tips help you in your journey to navigate the new year. Remember, you are not alone in uncertain times, but instead a part of a community actively working as well to make the world a healthier place.