Happy New Year! Are you one of the millions of people who resolve to better themselves in the new year? Are you also someone who follows through with your resolutions? No judgement here! Statistics vary and note that only 8% to 20% of people actually stick to their resolutions with most abandoning them by February!
We get it! Life can be overwhelming and what sounded achievable yesterday seems far from it today. So we’ve come up with a few simple ideas for you to take charge of your mental health in 2023.
- Improve Sleep Habits – The quality of our sleep affects us in so many ways. A night of restlessness can impair your ability to cope, which can amplify even the slightest stressors. Better sleep hygiene is important to both your mental and physical health and can help improve your productivity and quality of life.
- Start a Gratitude Journal – A gratitude journal can be a useful tool in changing your perspective. We often skew to the negative. However, really focusing on the little things in life that are going well or for which you are grateful (e.g., A stranger holding open the door for you when you are loaded down with bags of groceries.), can alter your outlook and let the positivity shine through.
- Practice Mindfulness – Life can be so busy and hectic. Do your best to live in the moment. Take a deep breath and really note – and enjoy – what’s going on around you.
- Get Creative – Crafting, sewing or even gardening can help focus your mind and work in ways similar to meditation. These activities also can release dopamine, a natural anti-depressant, and help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Become a Wellness Ambassador – Maybe you’re involved with a local parent-teacher organization, your church or another group in your community and you see a need for mental health resources. By signing up to be a Wellness Ambassador, you commit to prioritizing your own mental health, which allows you to lead by example and provide educational tools to help build healthy and strong individuals in your own community.
Try one (or all!) of these ideas. Give an Hour is always looking to grow and improve so your feedback is important. We’d love to hear from you about what worked and what didn’t. Share with us by leaving a comment below.
