Importance of Mental Health and Its Priority in 2023

Before we start, here’s wishing everyone a happy “mentally healthy” new year!!

Resolution – a commonly heard word around the new year time, also that vanishes off immediately!

We all take resolutions... as a ritual right after the holidays pass, to lose weight, to develop healthier eating habits, etc., But how many of us take resolutions that keeps our mental health in check???

Mental health is the foundation for our emotional and social well-being. A small change in this can have severe consequences in major aspects of day-to-day life. Intentionally prioritizing mental health will help reduce anxiety, boost anxiety, and aid in connecting deeply with others.

In the past few years, there has been an emerging awareness concerning mental well-being. Though we’ve come a long way in terms of addressing health issues, we still have a long road ahead of us, at making things right! There have been several steps undertaken that have helped tremendously in reducing the “stigma” surrounding mental health issues, and yet, it still remains a pressing and concerning topic.

With the start of the new year 2023, let’s take this opportunity to reflect and plan on the simple daily goals that are to be set for the year ahead. And let these well-being trends aid all of us in shaping our attitudes and habits.

Here, we present with you the habits and trends, to keep your mental health at its best, the best resolution that one can take for yourself in this new year to build psychological resilience!

Journals…

A powerful and underrated tool, that immensely helps in coping with mental health issues by channeling our thoughts and emotions. Many start the practice of journaling, though may not continue throughout. There is no right or wrong way of journaling and spending 15 minutes each day to pen it down is more than enough to start with. This way we can keep track of the growth and progress throughout the year.

Sense hacking!!

If there’s one trend to look forward to in 2023 for mental well-being, then it is “sense hacking” - which is all about using our senses (touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight) in improving our mood. Nothing but hacking our senses to keep ourselves happier and more productive. A simple example that can explain this effectively: the use of candles, diffusers to help in fall asleep, having a favorite food to lift our spirits up when feeling low etc.,

Wilderness for healing!

Termed as “ECOTHERAPY”, stands for practicing activities involving nature and wilderness. Man! The calm and benefits that this brings in is surplus. Be it hiking, walking on a street lined with trees, rafting or gardening has enormous mental health benefits.

Social media hiatus!

The past few months saw the tending habit of many people going “unplugged”. A term used to indicate that they’re taking a break from all types of social platforms for a while. From us controlling mobile phones to mobile phones keeping us controlled, it has been a very short road. Researchers have found that the usage of social media for many people has resulted in addiction, loneliness, depression and not to forget about physical damage as well!

Well social media is not going to go off anywhere, so taking a break now and then, and signing off during the weekend can be helpful. Your mental and physical health will thank you!

Less is more!

Pre-pandemic era, we used to stretch ourselves out in the name of work. A hectic hustled life, that we had worshipped religiously, leaving no room for “self-care”! So it’s high time we started maintaining a healthy work-life balance, prioritizing self-care and being completely okay, in fact more than okay by doing less work and focusing more on ourselves. Balance is obviously the key!

Looking out for signs!

Understanding your body is the first and most important step towards relief. Our body tries to indicate in different ways that, we need to stop burning ourselves out and to take things slow. Fatigue, changes in appetite, stomach, headaches, burnouts, etc, though burnout may not be a medically diagnosed condition, it is not something to be neglected. With burnout, one may feel cynic, too exhausted with relentless tasks at work and little or no energy for hobbies etc.,

With this on the one hand, on the other we have depression! Depression- a medically diagnosed condition, pushes one to the extreme of isolating and neglecting physical health and hygiene. Though it is challenging to distinguish between depression and burnout, both leads to insomnia and difficulties in focusing. It takes more than cups of coffee and bubble baths to overcome, seeking help from mental health experts is advised.

Organize and plan ahead

It can be so blank at times to not know what to do or where to start when one’s plate is fully loaded! Task paralysis is what this is referred to as. Planning, organizing, and scheduling things prior can prevent your feeling too overwhelmed about the tasks, incompetence, and frustration.

Travelogy!

And the best way to unwind yourself!!! Traveling around has been shown to have amazing benefits in keeping mental health issues at bay. Taking occasional breaks from work can be one of the best ways to destress.

Healthy habits

Yes, quitting smoking, having a balanced meal, limiting consumption of alcohol, and sugary carbonated beverages, workouts or yoga, and stretching often during work are definitely to be incorporated, not only for mental well-being but also as it greatly benefits in maintaining a good healthcare routine.

Find that passion!

Every one of us would have had hobbies or some activity that we would’ve been passionate about. Making time for hobbies can be rewarding and fun as well, it can reduce stress, and boost creativity and mental wellbeing. Some hobbies can keep us on the move, which will support our mental and physical health.

The main trend to look out for in 2023, concerning mental health issues would be – individualized care, easy access to support resources and treatment, and major awareness in mainstream media! And luckily, we’ve been witnessing promising progress over the past year, which only excites us to know what’s in store for 2023.

Apart from these tips, one can only figure out what helps the most- a piping hot chocolate with pastry and their favorite pet alongside, a stroll along beach road with loved one, just some calming melodious music with an amazing coffee brewing in one corner!