Impactful Resolutions for Positive Wellbeing in 2022

It’s a new year and with that comes the desire to transform ourselves with lofty goals and resolutions. But as anyone who has previously set New Year’s resolutions will know, sticking to these big plans can be tough. You might be so overwhelmed that you don’t even start, or you might meet a hurdle after a few days or weeks which throws you off your stride, so you give up completely.

Luckily, making positive changes that will impact your mental health and physical wellbeing doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s simply a matter of taking small steps that build over the course of the year. These are a few examples of easy resolutions you can make for a happier and healthier future.

Take a digital detox

Social media is addictive, and it can take up a big chunk of the day if you’re not conscious of your usage. Not only does this waste time during the day, but it can also lead to you becoming anxious, angry or frustrated if you’re following accounts that trigger these emotions in you. An easy fix that boosts your mental health considerably is to carry out a detox and unfollow or mute accounts and channels that make you feel uncomfortable.

Focus on your relationships

Investing in the relationships in your life is always time well spent, whether that’s prioritising friendships, spending more quality time with your kids or taking time out of your busy schedule to reconnect with your partner. And it doesn’t need to be complicated – use your commute to call a friend for a catch-up, for example, or have a ‘no phones’ rule at the dinner table so you and your family can talk and have a meaningful conversation. It can reduce stress and helps you to improve communication with those around you.

Improve your sleep routine

Sleep is essential to so many aspects of our lives, from our ability to focus throughout the day to our anxiety and stress levels. Establishing a healthy sleep routine is something that’s relatively simple to do but the impact on your physical and mental health will be huge. One way to make it easier to drift off at night is to move your smartphone to a different room – the lights and notifications on your phone can keep you distracted and make it harder to fall asleep. Wind down an hour or so before you head to bed by reading a book, keeping a journal or listening to calming music to help your mind slow down and prepare for sleep.

Practice CBT techniques

Mental health has been more of a focus for so many people in recent years, and combatting negative thoughts is one way to aid your mental health journey. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, techniques can be effective in tackling negative thoughts and anxious thinking. You can practise these techniques using CBT apps or by working with a CBT therapist who can help you identify the triggers for your negative thoughts and techniques to help you break the pattern. CBT can help you to redirect your thought processes to a place of gratitude and positivity, focusing on the present rather than the past, which can put you in a more positive, healthier mental state.

Small steps can lead to big changes

New Year’s resolutions can often be overwhelming – we feel as though we need to completely overhaul multiple areas of our lives at once, and that can be difficult to keep up with. But making small changes that will help you work towards a healthier mindset and a more positive lifestyle feel a lot more manageable and easier to stay on top of. These changes are great to adopt at any time of year, not just on the 1^st of January.

At KlearMinds, we offer a range of services which can empower you with effective tools to make positive changes for your mental health; from life coaching and career guidance to CBT and counselling. Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more.