50 Easy Ways to Increase your Mental Health and Happiness for the New Year
As we approach the start of the new year, it is not only a time for reflection, but it is also the perfect time to set our goals and priorities for the upcoming year. Increasing your mental health and happiness is something we should all put at the top of our priority list. Looking after ourselves help us be strong and healthy enough to help others. And when we feel good, the whole world looks good!
50 Easy Ways You Can Increase your Mental Health and Happiness
- Spend time with your family and friends
- Listen to your favourite artists
- Hold the door for someone
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Host board game night
- Help your family or neighbour to shovel the snow
- Put on a favourite song and dance around the house
- Go on a walk and look for something new
- Give your friends and family a hug
- Have a self-care day at home or with a friend
- Adopt or foster a pet
- Volunteer with local charity organizations
- Get extra food to donate to your local food bank
- Learn a new skill like sewing, writing, or build something
- Give your neighbour a helping hand
- Go to your favourite restaurant or try a new type of food
- Watch the sunset or sunrise
- Check in with old friends or acquaintances
- Support your local thrift store by purchasing or donating items
- Spend some time in nature and enjoy the peace
- Introduce your favourite show to a friend
- Don’t skip meals and eat well
- Try a new activity or sport
- Set goals for the new year and create a plan for each one
- Try meditation
- Drink lots of water – start your day with one full glass to get going
- Read a book and make the time to finish it
- Clean up a room or a closet in your home
- Stretch in the morning to loosen up for the day
- Say thank you to public service workers
- Go to the movies
- Spend the first 5 minutes of your day without your phone
- Get your friend something they really need
- Help babysit your niece or nephew or a friend’s children
- Get your body moving anyway you can
- Start a passion project
- Write down 3 things you are grateful for every day
- Get 8 hours of sleep
- Spend less time on your phone – use the screen time setting to help
- Learn a new language
- Tell the people in your life you love them
- Write a journal entry in the morning
- Plan a trip for the new year – big or small – for a change of scenery
- Coordinate a beach or park clean up
- Deepen your existing friendships
- Explore the city you live in – be a tourist for a day
- Be okay with not being okay
- Practice self-compassion
- Expand your social circle
- Try therapy or counselling or talk to a life coach to keep momentum and moving forward
Personal Time Increases Mental Health
These ideas highlight the need to set time aside to do things that bring you happiness and prioritize your mental health. This encompasses doing things you love, as well as helping and thinking about other people. People are social creaturs and need personal connections to thrive. But research shows that alone time also plays a pivotal role in mental health. Prioritizing yourself means having needed social connections, helping others, and also spending time on you. Make 2023 the year you put your own mental health at the top of your to-do list and choose one thing to do each day. Your mind and your body will thank you.
We, at 365give, believe happiness can stem from leading a generous life by just giving just a little bit every day. As we enter the new year, why not consider participating in the 365give challenge? This will encourage you to try giving just a little every day.
Not only will this benefit the people around, you but soon you may soon reap the benefits of this challenge and lead a healthier and happier life. Happy New Year!