Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health

As we’ve entered the new year, it is normal to contemplate the things we want to change about ourselves and try to do that through “resolutions.” While setting new goals can be healthy, it can also lead to shame and guilt if you’re unable to stick to your high expectations of yourself. This article will dive into some realistic New Year’s resolutions you can set for your mental health for 2022.

Self-care is not just spending a day getting a massage or treating yourself to coffee and a new outfit. While that may be helpful, true self-care is working hard to prioritize your mental health. It can look like scheduling a doctor’s appointment, taking that much-needed vacation from work, drinking the recommended daily amount of water, exercising, journaling about your feelings, and more.

According to Very Well Mind, approximately 33% of the world’s population suffers from insomnia. The CDC states, “a third of adults in the U.S. report that they get less than the recommended amount of sleep each night.”

Sleep and mental health are closely related. The average adult between 18-60 years old needs at least 7 hours of sleep a night to function properly. Try going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time every morning so your body gets used to a healthy sleep routine. If you find that you are unable to fall asleep or keep waking up through the night, you should probably schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss your options.

We all need someone to talk to and process our emotions with. A wonderful goal to set for yourself this year is to find one person to open up to about your mental health. It doesn’t have to be a therapist, but therapy is extremely helpful.

Did you know that over 40% of the U.S. population is deficient in Vitamin D? Vitamin D plays a crucial role in our mental health and its absence is linked to mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Perhaps you spend a lot of time outside, but chances are that if you work from home, you may not see the sun even once throughout the day. It can be even harder depending on where you live. Try going on a short walk for your work breaks or sitting outside for lunch. There are even artificial lights you can buy to help boost your mood.

It’s okay that you don’t have it all figured out. No one does. This year, be gentle with your heart and mind. Know that it’s okay to be vulnerable and open with others but be gentle with yourself on the really hard days when you don’t feel up to doing anything. Don’t isolate yourself, and don’t isolate others. Enjoy the good and the bad that this new year brings.

Contact the professional and friendly team at Restore 360 with any questions you may have about your mental health. Our outpatient psychiatric services are tailored to your specific needs and include individual and group therapy, depression treatment, stress management and so much more. Contact us at (484) 373-2710 or schedule your free consultation online today.