Resolutions for a Healthy Mind
The purpose of this list is to provide ideas – not every idea will resonate with every person and that is okay. Maybe something on the list will spark an idea that resonates with your interests and abilities.
First, if you are working through mental health concerns, seeks support from trained professionals. Therapists, members of the clergy, support groups, and other online and community resources are all options you can explore to support your mental health.
Moments of quiet and solitude. Whether you spend this time praying, meditating, or just observing the environment, make time for peace and quiet. Start with short increments – even one minute after you park your car before walking into the building. You can extend the practice to longer increments over time or just stick with short periods of quiet time. Remember, these moments of quiet are not wasted time. They give you time to transition from one role to another and allow you to decompress before moving on with your day.
Notice your thinking. Are you spending time overthinking situations? Do you find yourself spending lots of time rehearsing for future encounters or replaying past encounters in your mind? It is fine to make plans. It is fine to collect your thoughts before interacting with people, especially people who challenge us. It is fine to reflect on past experiences to learn from them. It is not healthy to spend time obsessing, rewriting, and ruminating over things that we are unable to change.
Catch yourself in cycles of negative self-talk. When you notice that you are getting down on yourself, ask “Would I talk to my friends like this?” or “Would I let my friends talk about themselves like this?” The answer is probably no. You would likely help your friend see the positive in the situation, reflect on their actions, and find something they can learn from the situation. You would not berate them and make them feel terrible about themselves – and you shouldn’t do that to yourself either.
Read more, binge less. Some people set a reading goal to complete a certain number of books by the end of the year – some people may have a goal to read one book this year. You may be more interested in reading articles. It’s all good. To stretch yourself, pick a book or one article each month that is about a topic outside of your normal comfort zone.
Write. There are so many ways to incorporate writing into your day. Some people enjoy writing their thoughts in a journal. Some people like to record events of their day in a diary. Other folks enjoy stream-of-consciousness writing that can be fictitious and fantastical. You don’t have to write for a long period of time, either. Set a goal to write for five minutes before you go to sleep or to jot down your thoughts while you have your morning coffee.
Work on puzzles. All kinds of puzzles have been found to be beneficial for maintaining a healthy mind. You might choose jigsaw puzzles or crossword puzzles. Sudoku is another option. Wordle and its many variations are also fun and quick puzzle options.
Save (some) money. Financial concerns are a common cause of stress for many people. Early childhood is not known for its high salary opportunities, so saving may not look the same for everyone. But when it is a possibility, set some money aside to help with future expenses. Knowing that you have some breathing room can help lower your stress levels.
Get more sleep. Yep… more!
For the main article Healthy Living in the New Year, CLICK HERE
For the article Resolutions for a Healthy Body, CLICK HERE
For the article Resolutions for a Healthy Spirit, CLICK HERE
For the article Director’s Corner – Supporting Healthy Resolutions in the New Year, CLICK HERE
