The beginning of a new year is often seen as an opportunity to start over. A clean slate: forgetting everything negative that the previous year brought us and focusing on giving our best for the year ahead. The phrase “New year, new me” becomes popular during this time of year because we feel motivated to start on the right foot, seeking to become the best version of ourselves.

However, many times our New Year’s resolutions, which usually aim to achieve better mental and physical health, only last a few days or weeks. Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves, and this is not always good because it can bring feelings of frustration. That is why today we share three tips so that your resolutions and commitments for this 2019 can be more manageable and long-lasting:

1. Big changes through small steps: Take it slowly and start major changes with small steps. You can begin to “eat healthier and more balanced” by drinking more glasses of water each day, for example.
2. Make your mental health a priority: You first, always. Remind yourself of this before every important decision you make this year. If at any moment you feel that you need help, reach out to your loved ones or a professional if you consider it necessary. Do not let stigma become a limitation.
3. Resist negative thoughts: Let the optimism you feel at the beginning of a new year stay with you throughout the 365 days ahead. Overthinking and focusing on negative things is neither practical nor realistic. Try to distract yourself from these thoughts by exercising, reading, working, or doing any activity you enjoy.

Let’s start this new year with the best energy and make it a little or much better than the previous one. Take it slowly and you will see that it is the small daily actions and decisions that will generate a great change in your life in the long term. Happy New Year! This 2019 will bring the best for you. You will see. ☺

References:

https://themighty.com/2019/01/new-years-resolution-mental-illness-depression-goals/

https://www.pca-nwa.com/new-years-resolutions-for-mental-health/