The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. You might be thinking about your goals for 2025! While you may gravitate toward things like weight loss, fitness goals, or financial goals, you should not forget about your mental health while you are trying to improve yourself! How can you set New Year’s Resolutions that help you build good mental health habits? Here are some suggestions from a Westfield mental health clinic:
Be Realistic about What You Can Accomplish
Sadly, many people pick New Year’s Resolutions that are simply not attainable. Depending on where you are starting, doing something like losing a large amount of weight, getting a six-pack, or doing something else that is very difficult may not be beyond what you can accomplish in a single year. It is okay to be modest! For example, instead of picking a weight loss number, you can create smaller goals that will support your health, like eating more vegetables or exercising three times a week.
Get Positive Motivation
You are more likely to reach your goals if you have the proper motivation. Think seriously about why you want to accomplish certain things, and surround yourself with people who will support you. Having an exercise buddy can be a huge help! You could also spend more time with friends who will not judge you for your missteps but rather encourage you not to give up when things do not go as planned.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Progress is rarely a straight line. Every journey has its ups and downs. If you do not reach your goals as soon or as efficiently as you hoped, shift your mindset to appreciate what you have accomplished. For example, if your goal was to get rid of clutter in your house, but you only did about half as much as you hoped, focus on the half that you did do.
Practice Self-Care and Self-Compassion
No matter what your goals are for the new year, you should approach them with the understanding that mental health is health. You might feel pressured to “hustle” to achieve certain things, but it is important that you leave space in your life to do the things you enjoy, not just the things you expect yourself to accomplish.
Remember that You Can Set a Different Date
Many people start working on their goals January 1, but that is rather arbitrary. If you do not feel ready to embark on a new journey right at the beginning of the year, it is okay to choose a different start date. In the meantime, you can prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.
Get Treatment if Needed
If you are struggling with the mental health aspect of your goals for the new year, there is a chance that you could benefit from treatment. You might even have a condition that is making it difficult for you to live up to your resolutions, such as depression or ADHD. A mental health professional may be able to help you cope with such things so you can live up to your potential.
2025 is full of possibilities! Keep your mental health in mind as you set New Year’s Resolutions so you can enjoy a healthy body and mind.
Meet the Practice
At Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center in Westfield, we are pleased to provide a range of mental health treatments for our community. If you have concerns about your mental wellness, we are ready to perform an evaluation. To learn more about us and how we may be able to assist you, get in touch at 908-233-8065.
