New Year Resolutions usually have a bad reputation and are seen as fads that are unsustainable. However, the new year is as good a time as any to try and implement positive changes in your life. Here are some beneficial changes you can make in 2023 to improve your mental health:

Express your emotions

Suppressing your feelings is a form of invalidating yourself, and it does more harm than good. Expressing your emotions requires you to be vulnerable which is a difficult thing to do; it is not a sign of weakness. Contact a family member or friend you trust and strive to be more open.

Journaling

If expressing yourself to someone seems overwhelming, then try journaling your thoughts and emotions. This is a good way of processing your emotions, reducing stress, and can help you focus on the present.

Relax

Give yourself a break from your busy schedule. Listen to your mind and body and take breaks as needed in order to help prevent burnout. The benefits of scheduling some time to relax and unwind are mental as well as physical.

Engage in hobbies

Prioritize doing things you are interested in and enjoy doing. Do not hesitate to try something new. We should not let the fear of failure get in the way of trying fun activities we are interested in; everyone has to start somewhere!

Psychotherapy

Therapy is a great way to improve emotional regulation, process your emotions, learn coping and communication skills, gain insight about yourself, and much more.

Lastly, be patient with yourself and remember that creating healthy habits and developing new skills takes time.