‘Prioritise Mental Health In 2024’

We are in a new year and most of us will be making resolutions on how to improve our health.
Unfortunately, health is not only about physique and physiological fitness, it also includes our mental health.
This   can help us achieve our desired goals  as new year’s resolutions are a tool for personal growth, but the most important thing to remember is to prioritise your mental health throughout the process.
If a particular resolution is causing significant stress or negatively impacting your well being, feel free to re-evaluate and adjust your goals as needed. Taking care of your mental health is key to overall health.
Here are some tips for creating resolutions that prioritise your mental well-being:
Pick a Goal that Motivates You: You are more likely to stick to your goal if it motivates you or if it is influenced by others, such as a spouse, a workout partner, or a medical professional. If your goal is to exercise more, but you know going to a gym is not a motivation for you, then, pick another exercise you can do outside of the gym.
Break Down Your Big Goals into Smaller, More Manageable Goals: By doing this you’ll be much less likely to feel overwhelmed. If your ultimate goal is to run a five kilometre race, but you have not yet run a lap around the track, start with walking a shorter distance and gradually begin to jog once you feel you are ready. It may just be a few yards or a lap around the track. Sometimes just signing up for that race is just the motivation you need to get started.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection and Stay Positive: Emphasise the journey and strive for progress rather than aiming for perfection. And reward yourself for the progress you made. For instance, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds, but you only lost five pounds, acknowledge the five pounds you lost were five more than before you started trying to lose weight. The way we talk to ourselves can foster a positive and realistic outlook and contribute to a healthier approach to both mental health and success in meeting our New Year’s resolutions.
Lean on Others for Support
Motivation: Achieving goals can be easier when done with others. Consider joining groups or communities with similar goals to connect with people who can provide encouragement and accountability.
Practise Self-Compassion: Be easy on yourself. Acknowledge that setbacks will happen and that is okay. Just pick back up where you left off.
Set a New Date: You do not need to commit to a resolution on January 1. Feel free to delay implementing your New Year’s resolutions until the time is right. You can make them at any time you want. Under stress now? Why not resolve to make that change beginning in March or by another preferred date.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Do not get too caught up in the New Year’s resolutions of others. Set goals with only you in mind.
This article was adapted from SAMHSA written by Anita Everett

By: Kevin Nengia