Revive Your Mental and Emotional Health in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions tend to focus on physical health – exercising more, eating better, losing weight. While there’s nothing wrong with this type of resolution, deciding to focus on emotional and mental health could be a more beneficial approach, especially after such a particularly stressful year.

Mental health encompasses many facets of health, including emotional, psychological and social wellness. Go for a different take on the idea of “new year, new you,” and focus on a mental reset and your emotional well-being this year.

Addressing Your Mental and Emotional Health

Just as mental health “affects how we think, feel and act,” according to MentalHealth.gov, “it also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.”

It’s no secret that stress affects us all, but following the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people – from every age group – have reported struggling with mental health.

“The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed,” according to the latest report from Mental Health America. “The number of people screening with moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety has continued to increase throughout 2020 and remains higher than rates prior to COVID-19.”

One of the best ways to improve mental health is to make informed, healthy choices that support both your physical and emotional well-being. Thankfully, there are plenty of coping and relaxation techniques you can try from the comfort and safety of home, along with resources you can access online.

Prioritize Your Mind, Time and Relationships

Focusing on the activities, people and causes/organizations that make you feel happy and engaged is a key part of a successful mental reset.

Engage Your Brain

Identify the major stressors in your life and manage stress better with the four As: avoid, alter, accept and adapt. When it comes to resolutions, consider focusing on work-life balance – especially if you’re still working from home – and try giving yourself more free time.

Then, make the most of any spare time by doing activities to better yourself. Learning a language, recipe or photography technique, playing brain games and meditating can help you deal with stress and better your mental health.

Connect With Others

The pandemic made in-person connections with non-household members risky and difficult. Having a support system – or a network of people who care, respect and support you – is an essential part of emotional well-being.

Stay connected to your support system by continuing to text, make phone calls and host video chats. Also, spend some quality time (away from screens) with household members or roommates. Play games, get creative together or simply have a conversation.

Planning a trip to a park or hiking trail for a walk on a nice day is also something you can look forward to.

Try to Stay Positive

Being optimistic isn’t always easy, especially during times of uncertainty. Try to focus on things that bring you happiness, like baking, dancing, singing or making art. Watch your favorite uplifting movie or spend some quality time with a pet, your child or significant other.

Make yourself feel better inside and out with self-care, too. Give yourself a DIY spa day with a relaxing bath, new facemask or foot scrub. Start a new healthy habit like meditating or regularly writing in a gratitude journal to keep track of the things you’re thankful for or would like to try in the future.

Do Good Deeds

It’s no myth that making others happy can help you feel happier too. Engaging in meaningful activities or becoming an active participant in your community can help your mental and emotional health.

Start small with tending to houseplants or gardening when the weather gets nicer. Take care of the planet by picking up litter, or choose to improve the life of an animal by fostering, adopting or donating to a shelter.

If you are still uncomfortable with gathering for in-person volunteer opportunities, you can try virtual volunteering, making charitable donations (like clothes, food, money and other supplies) and writing thank-you letters to essential workers.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Mental and emotional health are deeply intertwined with physical wellbeing. This means staying active, getting enough sleep and eating well can all help improve your mental health, too.

Physical Activity

Just a bit of exercise can help improve your mood, make you feel more energized and potentially help you sleep more soundly at night.

Focusing on simply making yourself feel better, rather than counting calories or measuring your waistline, can also make exercise more enjoyable.

To start, go for low-impact exercises like yoga or these easy indoor senior workouts. Outdoor exercises like biking, hiking and walking are also great because they get you outside in the natural light and fresh air.

Sleeping Well

The impact of sleep on your mood goes far beyond simply feeling grouchy in the morning. Getting enough rest is vital to overall mental and emotional health.

Not getting enough sleep can lead to obvious inconveniences, like low energy and irritability, but prolonged sleep deprivation can cause bigger issues.

“Studies in both adults and children suggest that sleep problems may raise risk for, and even directly contribute to, the development of some psychiatric disorders,” according to Harvard Health Publishing.

See these tips for getting better sleep or try one of these sleep-aid products.

Eating Better

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet – not crash dieting – is important because certain nutrients – and lack thereof – can affect your mood and immunity.

“Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function – and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression,” according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating enough high-quality foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020 from health.gov recommends making (at least) half of all the grains you consume whole grains.

Try making healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods by incorporating more vegetables, eating more salads and reaching for less processed snacks.

Mental and Emotional Health-Related Products

Whether it’s cleaning, cooking or crafting that keeps you calm, there are tons of tools and gadgets to help you destress, stay fit and make the most of your time.

Take control of your space with home organizers and affordable home décor. Keep your mind entertained and stress-free with gardening tools, crafting supplies and kitchen gadgets. Or care for yourself with one of these relaxing items. If you’re also looking to stay physically active, check out some top-rated home gym equipment.

If your anxiety, depression or stress feels like too much to handle on your own, seek help from a mental heath professional or find a local organization with mental health expertise.

How do you want to improve your emotional and metal health this year? Tell us in the comments.