New Year's resolutions: Mental health goals for 2019
Hey, everyone:
Happy New Year. For many of us, now is the time when we resolve to live better, so we asked people on Twitter how they are striving to take care of their mental health in 2019. Here are five resolutions we heard:
Resolution 1. Go to counseling
Several people told us they were considering therapy or had already made an appointment with a counselor for 2019. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the earlier a person seeks treatment for a mental health condition the better the outcome. NAMI says treatments differ depending on your diagnosis, so it's important to find a therapist who specializes in the treatment that's right for you.
We know not everyone can access care when they need it. NAMI says approximately 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year, but Mental Health America, a nonprofit focused on addressing the needs of those living with mental illness, says more than half of them receive no treatment. If you're struggling to access or afford care, Mental Health America has resources to help.
Resolution 2. Focus on what's good
When you're dealing with a mental health issue, it's easy to focus on what's wrong in life, rather than on what may be right. One person told us they're planning to write in a gratitude journal at the end of each day.
Robert Emmons, an expert on the science of gratitude, wrote in his book Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier that there is "scientific proof that when people regularly engage in systematic cultivation of gratitude, they experience a variety of measurable benefits: psychological, physical and interpersonal."
Resolution 3. Ask for help when you need it
Support from family, friends and loved ones can make a big difference to a person's mental well-being. One person told us their New Year's resolution was to make sure "I'm heard when I ask for help."
For people who have a mental illness, and especially those having suicidal thoughts, it's important to develop a safety plan that includes the names of people you can reach out to if you find yourself in crisis.
Resolution 4. Take more breaks
We heard people resolving to take more mental health breaks this year. This could include going for a walk at lunch or turning off your phone for an hour.
If you have access to paid sick leave, you may consider taking a longer period of rest.
Resolution 5. Meditate
Several of the survivors we spoke with for our Surviving Suicide project touted the benefits of meditation, and we heard many people on social media resolving to meditate more in 2019. NAMI says research shows 10-20 minutes of meditation twice daily helps to calm your brain.
Be good to yourself in 2019. You deserve it.
Take care,
Alia
Some other stories you may be interested in:
- Five ways to make self-care happen in the new year (WTOP)
- 'I had a complete emotional collapse': Jada Pinkett Smith, Kid Cudi talk mental health (Paste BN)
- This is why people are swearing off booze for a month (Paste BN)
- Are you a good person? Morality experts say this is how to find out (Paste BN)
Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.