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Published On: January 12, 2023|Categories: Mental Health|

The New Year is an exciting time full of fresh starts, new beginnings, infinite opportunities and a clean slate upon which to write all of our goals, plans and secret dreams.

As empowering as a new year can feel, though, it can also bring an overwhelming sense when you realize just how blank that clean slate is. Knowing where to begin with goal setting can be difficult, especially when it comes to setting and working on more intimate goals, like mental health resolutions. 

While it might be tempting to just sweep the habit of goal setting under the rug, it’s an incredibly powerful practice, one that can even change your life when practiced sustainably.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the benefits of new year’s resolutions, as well as share with you some of the most powerful (but attainable) mental health resolutions for you to consider implementing in the new year.

Benefits of new year’s resolutions

We could fill a library with all of the benefits of new year’s resolutions, but for efficiency’s sake, we’re just going to share with you the most unique and impressive benefits here today.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Improved physical, mental and emotional health
  • Greater clarity around what’s truly important to you
  • Increased focus, productivity and efficiency
  • Channeling more peace and happiness
  • Healthier, more positive relationships 

Despite these benefits, the fact remains that most people will not complete their new year’s resolutions, including mental health resolutions, which are among the most important.

How to be successful with resolutions

Brian Tracy, a leading figure in self-development, once famously said, “There is no such thing as unrealistic goals, only unrealistic deadlines.” 

For example, if you struggle with self-love, one of your mental health resolutions this year might be to eliminate negative self-talk and focus on fostering positive self-talk. This might feel impossible at first, but it isn’t. However, expecting yourself to go from self-apathy to full-blown self-love in two weeks isn’t practical. It’s not the goal that’s unrealistic, it’s your deadline.

The best way to set yourself up for success with mental health resolutions is to start with smaller, simpler goals. By spending a few months focusing only on completing goals that are relatively easy to achieve, you begin fostering trust in yourself, which leads to increased self-esteem and confidence. 

Once you’ve realized and actually experienced that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, it’s time to start pursuing the bigger, more long-term goals. These are the goals that are going to require greater commitment, more time, energy and often a significant amount of patience.

New year resolution ideas for mental health

Below are some of the most powerful (but practical) mental health resolutions you can practice.

  • Spend at least 20 minutes outside every day
  • Replace checking your phone first thing in the morning with reading
  • Move with intention for 30 minutes daily (in a way you genuinely enjoy)
  • Follow the 80/20 rule with eating (80 percent of your diet is healthy, 20 percent is fun food)
  • Reduce your recreational substance intake 
  • Take social media detoxes (challenge yourself to take longer breaks each time)
  • Limit your intake of sugar, caffeine and alcohol before bed
  • Practice self-care, self-love and self-compassion
  • Develop a growth mindset

These are just a few new year resolution ideas to help you improve your mental health in the new year. Whether you choose to implement one or several of the above suggestions or create your own, there has never been a better time than today to start.

Start achieving your goals today

If you or someone you love is struggling to enact lasting, positive change in their life and are starting to experience depression, anxiety or other symptoms as a result, reach out for help.

At The Light Program, your overall wellness is our top priority. We specialize in helping individuals heal from a variety of mental health challenges through our full-spectrum treatment plans that take into consideration all potential contributing elements in your life.

Call our office today to speak with a qualified intake coordinator and take the next steps to elevate your life.

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