New Year’s Resolutions for Mental Health

2020 was a rough one. You may be thinking that New Year’s resolutions sound especially overwhelming this year. But as we head into 2021, let’s look at some things we can resolve to do to care for our mental health.

These are not going to be the usual resolutions. No diets or promises to find the secret of life. These are realistic, achievable goals to improve our mental health over the coming year.

Scrap the Screen

Well, you don’t have to scrap it altogether. But if there is one thing we learned in 2020, it’s that too much social media is bad for the soul. And it’s not great for our mental health.

First, eliminate platforms or apps that consistently make you feel anxious or unhappy. Try replacing that time with self-care or a walk outside. Speaking of which…

Go Outside

This one is, of course, weather dependent for us in Wisconsin. But try to make a little time to go outside most days. Take a walk, watch a sunset, or just sit and feel the sun on your face for a few minutes. Nature is soothing, and can have a huge benefits for your mental health. If it’s too cold to go outside, take a few minutes to breathe deeply while looking out, or even just move around a little more inside.

Make Time for Yourself

2020 was the year of self-care in popular culture. But just because we heard about it a lot, doesn’t mean we got the hang of it. Self-care can mean making time for activities we enjoy, treating ourselves with compassion and empathy, or simply calling a friend. Try to find little ways to make time for yourself each day. Even if it’s just five minutes.

New Year’s Resolutions don’t need to be a huge, fundamental life change. Small resolutions are often less intimidating and easier to stick to longer-term. They also help us remember that mental health is all about small steps, each one building on the last.

Not sure where to start on your path to better mental health in 2021? Reach out to us here.