The new year is quickly approaching and many are eager to see it go.
For most, the new year is a time to hit the reset button, to reorganize and strategize, refocus and regroup. New beginnings are being especially welcomed after the unpredictable hardships that came along with 2020.
While this year took a heavy toll on the mental health of so many, there is hope! The new year is a great opportunity to prioritize your mental health. Here are 5 realistic self-care resolutions to help you put your mental health first in the new year.
- Practice self-acceptance. New Year’s resolutions often revolve around the idea of changing some trait of who we are. Instead of trying to change who you are, use the new year as an opportunity to practice self-acceptance and self-love.
- Prioritize for self-care. Taking care of yourself is just as important as anything else on your to-do list. Create a list of self-care activities that bring you happiness and work them in as part of your daily routines. This could include going on a walk, journaling, calling a loved one, reading or listening to music.
- Practice gratitude. Studies have found that practicing gratitude each morning can invoke an attitude of thankfulness and optimism that carries through the rest of your day, making challenges easier to manage.
- Make sleep a priority. Research is shown that sleep and mental health are connected. Approximately 65% to 90% of individuals with major depression also experience trouble with sleeping. Prioritize your health by getting enough sleep. Go to sleep a bit earlier each night to give your body the rest in needs to give you a refreshed tomorrow.
- Limit your screen time. Spending too much time looking at your computer screen or phone screen can negatively impact your relationships, your sleep, your productivity, clarity, and feelings of depression and anxiety. Set limits on your apps and be conscious of how much time you spend online and in what ways it impacts your mental health and make appropriate adjustments.
Instead of making sweeping New Year’s resolutions to achieve overnight, create a few realistic goals that will have a long-lasting impact on your mental health and happiness.