At the end of every year, it’s very common to find people setting up goals for the new year, which is actually a good thing. But people don’t often include mental health goals on their list. Well, this is because many people are yet to understand the importance of mental health.
While you are setting up your financial, health, spiritual, and other goals for the new year, don’t forget to add mental health, because it is as important as every other thing on the list.
Why you should have mental health goals
Mental health goals are simply the goals you make for the benefit of your mental well-being. These are actions and efforts you make for your personal development.
Setting mental health goals can help you develop new coping strategies, increase motivation and productivity, and also help you stay focused on achieving other life goals. Our mental health can have a huge impact on the way we think and behave, so when setting goals, we shouldn’t overlook it.
How to set mental health goals
Do you want to set mental health goals for the new year but don’t know how? Here are some tips to help you:
- Identify your needs and wants.
- Make a list of what you want to achieve.
- Keep it simple and realistic so you don’t feel too overwhelmed and quit.
- Set both short-term and long-term goals
- Understand that you have put in time and effort.
- Acknowledge that some goals may take longer time to be achieved
- Do what works for you and not what works for others.
Mental health goals you should have
There are many mental health goals that you can have, but these are a few that you might consider including in your mental health goals for 2023.
Read books
There are a lot of benefits of reading for our mental health. Reading encourages creativity and can make you smarter. If you find reading boring, you can try reading books in various niches to find what might catch your interest, there has to be something out there for you.
One mistake people make when trying to cultivate the habit of reading is forcing themselves to finish a book before starting another, even if they find the book uninteresting. You don’t have to do this. If you are reading for pleasure, then why suffer?
Practice ‘me-time’
Spending some alone time can be positive and therapeutic for your mental health. A lot of people find it unbearable to spend some time by themselves, but it shouldn’t be this way. Because, as much as it is important to spend time with and be there for others, we need to have some alone time.
‘Me time’ is an opportunity to relax and relieve yourself from stress. You shouldn’t avoid it, because you need it.
You might also like: 10 Exciting Things You Can Do During Your “Me Time”
Take breaks from social media
Social media can have a negative impact on your mental health, especially if you are spending more time on it than necessary. There is a higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety due to excessive social media.
I understand that social media has its benefits, it makes communicating and connecting with others a lot easier and faster. But it is necessary to take breaks from it. This can be limiting the time you spend on social media daily or staying completely away from it for some time, to focus more on yourself.
Cut off toxic friends
Our friends play a major role in our lives, they influence our behaviors and actions. A toxic friend influences you negatively and may benefit from you but have little to offer.
Keeping toxic friends can be detrimental to your mental health. You don’t need them and so you don’t have to keep them. The new year can be a fresh start for you without them.
Seek support when necessary
Carrying your burden alone can weigh you down more than you could think of. Understand that we human beings need each other and it’s normal to go through tough times or have problems that we cannot deal with on our own. When you find yourself in a difficult situation reach out for help and seek support from people that are capable enough to help you.
Seeking support can be beneficial for not just your mental health but for also other aspects of your life. If you struggle with asking for help, consider making it a mental health goal for the new year.
Also read: Here’s What Happens When You Make Mental Health A Priority
Learn a new skill/hobby
Is there any skill or hobby you have been thinking about for a long time? Well, maybe it is time to make it a reality and not just a thought. You can take up a new hobby just for fun or learn a new skill to make money.
Learning a new skill or hobby can give you the motivation to get up in the morning, look forward to the day, and the excitement of doing something new or different.
Learn to manage stress
Stress is part of life, it’s something we can’t completely avoid. But, we can learn to manage it, engage in stress-relieving activities, and adopt some coping strategies. Some coping strategies include deep breathing, taking a walk, and eliminating stressors if possible.
Managing and reducing stress is essential for our overall well-being and can help prevent other health conditions like heart disease.
Set boundaries
If you have been living without setting boundaries and limits, well it’s time for you to include them in your goals for the new year. The boundaries we set are not meant to push people away from us or to isolate us from others, they are meant to help us build healthier relationships with the people around us.
You should set boundaries for your mental health. This helps you understand yourself better, which makes it easier for you to tell people how you want to be treated.
Practice kindness
Practicing kindness can be wholesome and healthy. When showing kindness to others, don’t forget to show kindness to yourself too. This is because we also deserve the love and care we give to others.
Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a free mental health goal worksheet
Conclusion:
Your mental health goals for the new year should be unique to you and your current needs. When you recognize your needs and make a concrete list of the things you want to achieve, it makes it easier for you to focus on what is important for your personal development. And also in creating new patterns for dealing with life challenges and problems.
What are your mental health year goals for the new year? Please share with us in the comment section.
DISCLAIMER:
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided for general information only.
RECOMMENDATION
If you need help or know someone who needs help with their mental health or mental illness, check out the resource page for mental health resources.
