2020 is officially here and with the coming of a new year and decade, comes a variety of new year’s resolutions. Some people believe in making resolutions every year, while others may simply choose to remain unchanged. No matter what type of person you are, these new year’s resolutions are intended to assist you in your mental health journey.
This list can be used to formally declare a new year’s resolution, as well as to improve your overall quality of life.
Without further ado, here are the top New Year’s resolutions for your Mental Health:
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is one of those things that sounds simple in theory but can be complicated in practice. Although taking care of yourself may seem like an obvious thing one should do, many people tend to prioritize everything else over taking care of themselves. The common argument for this is a lack of time. Unfortunately, practicing self-care is like any other thing in your life in that you will have to make time for it. Self-care practices can be scheduled daily, weekly, or monthly. Not sure how to practice self-care? Check out this article from Psychology Today.
Accept Yourself
Society views the beginning of a new year as being synonymous with completely changing oneself. While this belief can promote varying levels of self-improvement, it can also send the message that we are all inadequate. The act of setting lofty goals that may not be accomplished can also further fuel negative emotions. Therefore, it is important to accept our imperfections and remind ourselves that meeting goals does not determine our self-worth. Again, this is another resolution that sounds simple in theory but is more complicated in practice. If this is something you struggle with, then you may want to work through these struggles with a licensed mental health professional.
Take the Stairs
Here’s an easier resolution. Instead of taking the elevator or escalator, simply take the stairs. Exercise has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health and is recommended to alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions. Taking the stairs is an easy way to get your body moving without having to make time (or find the motivation) to go to the gym.
Disconnect Daily
Modern technology has made it so easy to constantly be connected to just about anything or anyone. Often times, this can result in hours spent with our eyes glued to a cell phone, computer, or laptop screen. With so many social media sites, this can also cause us to compare ourselves with our peers and some people can even become obsessed with their own self-image. To combat the negative feelings associated with constantly comparing ourselves to others, a good resolution consists of spending less time “connected” to the online world. One way to practice this is to make it a habit of spending an hour being disconnected and doing something else instead.
Practice Positive Affirmations
We all have doubts, fears, and insecurities that can take a toll on our mental health. One way to combat these things is to practice positive affirmations daily. Positive affirmations allow us to recognize and reinforce our strengths while focusing less on our weaknesses. Each day, write down one positive thing about yourself. By the end of the year, you will have 365 reasons why you are so great!
Whether you are looking to make 2020 the best year yet, or you simply want to improve the overall quality of your life, these top New Year’s resolutions for your mental health are a good place to start. Even if you only pick one to focus on, practicing any of these resolutions will help you to improve your mental health in the new year.
Happy New Year from all of us at NJ Family Psychiatry & Therapy!
Dr. Miller is trained in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is also trained in Anesthesia and Pain Management. Because of her broad experience, Dr. Miller is uniquely qualified to treat psychological trauma, depression and anxiety that can occur as a result of injury or disability. For more information, schedule a consultation at NJ Family Psychiatry & Therapy.
