If you’ve set a New Year’s resolution to improve your mental health, it’s definitely attainable, but such a big goal won’t be achieved by February. Big New Year’s resolutions are always tough and losing steam or forgetting about the resolution entirely is a common pattern. Psychotherapist Angela Ficken told SheKnows that the reason big resolutions often fail is due to unrealistic expectations, impatience, all-or-nothing thinking, and overcommitment. For something as abstract as mental health, the journey to improvement can be even tougher.
There are ways to break out of this cycle of failing to meet your New Year’s resolutions, and we’ve asked four therapists to share them so you can truly achieve your goals this year. If your resolutions revolve around mental health, you’re in the right place because we’ve also asked our experts for the best small changes you can make to actually improve your mental health this year.
1. Set specific, attainable goals: First, define clear, achievable objectives with actionable steps.
2. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate even the most minor achievements, as giving yourself positive feedback will help keep you motivated.
3. Track your progress: Use journals or apps to monitor your progress and adjust your goals if needed.
4. Reach out for support: Sharing your goals with friends or seeking professional guidance from a therapist can be tremendously helpful.
5. Explore the “why” behind your goal: What’s fueling your desire to achieve this goal, and how does it align with your broader values as a person?
6. Break down your goal into smaller steps: Create smaller, actionable steps that will feel less overwhelming and more achievable.
7. Set a vision instead of a goal: Shift your mindset and set a “vision” instead of a goal — more of a belief about your potential or the quality of life you want to have versus a task you want to complete.
Here are 11 small mental health goals to consider setting this year:
1. Try a daily mindfulness practice.
2. Make exercise a regular habit.
3. Eat a little healthier.
4. Chip away at screen time.
5. Make sleep a priority.
6. Connect socially.
7. Practice gratitude.
By embracing these tiny, positive changes, you can start to see a noticeable shift in your mindset and emotions as these small changes stack up over time.
