At TIEMH, we are all about promoting evidence-based best practices when it comes to mental health. As the first month of 2020 draws to a close, we recommend you add the following activities to your list of New Year’s resolutions to boost your mental health.
1. Exercise
Exercising for 30 minutes a day does incredible things for your body and mind, including improving mood and providing stress relief. For some, it can even be as effective as an antidepressant.
2. Meditate
Regular meditation is linked to an increase in happiness, a reduction in anxiety, and may reduce blood pressure.
3. Talk It Out
It’s important to express your feelings, whether with a therapist, a friend, a family member, or even a journal. Putting feelings into words can make them less intense and improve mental health.
4. Establish a Sleep Schedule – and Always Stick to It
Consistently getting a good night’s sleep fosters mental and emotional resilience. Bonus points if you can get your whole family on a schedule with you – especially the kids.
5. Track Your Habits
An app like Noom (for diet and exercise) or Habitica (for general habit tracking) can help you fulfill all of your New Year’s Resolutions – no matter how aspirational they are.
6. Practice Self Compassion
New habits are hard to form, especially when the pressure is on to fulfill all your goals for the New Year. Always be kind to yourself – even if you struggle at first to meditate for five minutes every day or set a consistent bedtime. Learn more about integrating self-compassion skills into your daily routine on expert (and University of Texas Professor) Kristin Neff’s (Ph.D.) website.
Edited By: Michelle Monk (M.Ed.), Senior Administrative Program Coordinator with the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
To learn more about the Texas Institute for Excellence Mental Health’s work with the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, visit the South Southwest MHTTC website.
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