The last two years have been filled with unprecedented events. Who would have guessed that, when the ball dropped in 2020, a pandemic would sweep the world…and last for two years (and counting)? One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to do is come face-to-face with our own mental health struggles. Even celebrities like Simone Biles and Justin Bieber have taken a stand for mental health awareness, and shown us that it’s okay to not always be okay.
If your New Year’s resolution for 2022 includes bettering your mental health, then it’s vital to reflect on the changes you wish to see, and think about how you can achieve those changes. Studies show that, out of the 40% of Americans who set New Year’s resolutions, half of those people fail to keep their resolutions within the first 6 months of the year. By taking smaller, more achievable steps, there is a greater chance that you will be successful in keeping your resolution in 2022.
Mental Health First Aid from The National Council for Mental Illness created a curriculum to help us set realistic New Year’s resolutions for mental health:
Make Time For Self Care
Figure out what activities help you feel happy and recharged. Activities such as working out, reading a book, spending time with family, or quiet time alone are all popular self-care activities. Taking the time for daily self-care can help you avoid the feeling of burn out, while also filling your own cup.
Be Kind To Yourself
Change is hard. Change also rarely happens overnight—at least not successfully. It takes time, guidance and—sometimes—trial and error. Be kind to yourself when you make a mistake, and simply pick yourself back up and continue trying!
Make Sleep a Priority
A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School shows that sleep is directly associated with a person’s mental wellbeing. So much so, between 65 and 90% of those with major depression also have a sleep disorder. In 2022, make sleep a priority by going to bed earlier and creating a calming bedtime routine.
Limit Your Screen Time
In the age of smartphones, smart tablets, and even smarthomes, screentime is at an all-time high. However, it’s easy to get lost in social media and spend more time scrolling through other people’s lives than being productive in your own. In addition, the amount of screen time you’re subjected to can have an impact on your quality of sleep. Set a daily limit on your screentime, or maybe put the phone down after a certain time every day. It’s also important to be cognizant of any impact social media has made on your mental health, and adjust accordingly.
Learn More About Mental Health
One of the best things you can do for your own mental health is take the time to try and understand it. There are endless online resources available at your fingertips, and your doctor can be a great resource for discussing your mental health questions and concerns. Knowledge will always give you power!
Contact Ketamine Greater Boston
If you are suffering from treatment-resistant depression, and want to make your mental health a priority in 2022, then ketamine therapy may be able to help. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, contact our ketamine infusion therapy center today for a free consultation, or simply complete the brief form below and a member of our clinical team will reach out to answer your questions, determine if you’re a candidate for ketamine infusion therapy, and address your concerns.
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