Every New Year we set a long list of resolutions we deem negative in our lives that want to be changed. These are commonly related to your physical health, and include things like dieting, cutting down on habits like smoking or alcohol, and joining a gym. But what we forget about is our mental health.
Mental health includes some of the more important aspects that we forget about in our lifestyles. Like our psychological, social and emotional well-being. If you initially don’t focus on your mental health, it makes tasks like focussing on your physical health more challenging. So here are some examples of how you can help your mental health in 2019.
Stop dieting and appreciate your body. In today’s world there’s no perfect body, avoid self-criticism, as this linked to depression and anxiety. People who appreciate their body more, tend to lead happier and healthier lifestyles overall.
Surround yourself with good people. Keep strong connections with your family and friends and only interact with people that really respect you and appreciate your presence. Joining a group and making new social connections is also proven to help improve your mental health, over those who lack a support network.
Reduce your mobile phone screen time. We all do it but spending lots of time looking online is not the key to happiness. Excessive screen time, especially spent on social media, is linked to depression and poor sleep quality. It can affect your self-esteem, encouraging people to compare themselves to others that lead aesthetically pleasing and ‘perfect’ lifestyles. Worry about your life and become more conscious of the time you spend scrolling through other peoples, as this may help you boost self-confidence and well-being.
Ultimately, taking care of your mind is important. Pick your goals that reflect you, and who you want to be. But most importantly, get help when you need it. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a strength.