Let me start by saying that I have never been one for resolutions. I’ve done the whole “I’m going to diet and workout and lose X amount of weight this year!” or “I’m going to start/finish that script that I’ve been planning.” I’ll spend my first few weeks doing super well with these resolutions and then I’ll just stop caring enough to go to the gym or I’ll be too tired when I get home at night to sit down and write. I’ve decided that this year is different.
A week after New Year's Eve, I turned 20, so I decided that my resolution shouldn’t just be for the new year, but for the start of a new chapter in my life, my 20’s. This year, I’ve done away with the cliche dieting resolution that I usually go with and decided to go with something that I feel is very important: making 2016 the year of a healthier mind. Here are my eight steps on how I feel that this can be done.
- A healthy physical life
I said that I was done with the dieting resolutions, but that's not what this is. A healthy physical life is one of the biggest steps for having a healthy mind. Due to some recent health issues, I’ve began to meet with a dietitian, she told me to make sure half of my plate at meals is veggies and that I should do 30 minutes of aerobic work out at least four times a week. As cliche as it may sound, after two weeks of doing this I can already feel a change in my moods and my energy. Just a short workout can get those endorphins going! So eat your veggies and go for a walk (or whatever type of workout your little heart desires) and you’ll already start to feel better!
2. If you have medication for something, take it!
I’ve had anxiety since I was five years old. I’m currently on medications to help with it and I know that this is the first step in helping me get better, so I make sure that the first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before bed is take my pills. You can even set alarms! Sometimes forgetting to take your medication can throw your body off. Trust that your doctors know what they’re doing and know that you deserve to feel better. Own the fact that you’re making yourself better and take those meds, kids!
3. Get those negatives out of sight and mind!
If there’s something in your life creating a lot of stress and negative thoughts, it's time to say bye-bye. I’m not saying that if homework and bills are stressing you out, you should avoid those... By all means, please do your homework and pay your bills. What I’m saying is that if you have a “friend” who is negative or makes you feel awful, maybe it’s time to distance yourself. If seeing all of the perpetual negativity on social media gets you down, it might be time to delete some of those accounts. Surround yourself only with people and things that bring you up and make you happy.
4. Make time for the things you love.
I know that when I’m stressed or upset, things like knitting, crocheting, or writing calms me down. These are very mind-stimulating activities. Even when I’m not stressed or upset, I try to make time for these things just to get my gears moving a little. I also love the feeling I get once I finish a project, so no matter what hobbies you enjoy, set aside a little time each week to work on them. You deserve it.
5. Clean, clean, clean
I am a terribly messy person. I have actually been called a hoarder by a few of my friends. However, every time I get home at night and the first thing I see in my room is a giant mess, I’m 10 times more stressed than I was. So after deep cleaning my room a few weeks ago, I’ve made it a point to spend five minutes every night to pick up any mess that might have been made. I also use my Saturday’s to wash all of my clothes and bedding and I scrub down my bathroom. Have a consistently clean living environment removes copious amounts of stress from my life, and you may find that it does the same for you!
6. Get that sleep!
I can’t even stress how important adequate sleep is to a healthy mind. A good amount of sleep at night can give you a great mindset for a wonderful day! Those ten minutes of Instagram before bed can wait until the next day when you're feeling fresh.
7. Don’t wallow alone in your bedroom.
I live alone, which means I spend a lot of time alone in my room. This sometimes leads to me get super down, especially when I’ve been locked alone in my room for days at a time. I always make sure to get outside when this happens. It doesn’t have to be anything super crazy, sometimes I just go walk laps around Target (my second home) or I just get in my car and go explore some parts of town that I’ve never seen. Heck, I’ve even gone to the movies alone just so I can get out of my bedroom and have a reason to get dressed. If you’re away at college but live close enough to home, you could even go home for a weekend and make a point to visit family and friends. Alone time is essential, but get up and get out folks!
8. Put yourself first
This one is the far most important one to me. I’ve spent so many years of my life being a “yes-person” and putting others happiness before my own. Don’t get me wrong, putting others first is a wonderful trait to have, but there comes a time where you need to draw the line and be a little selfish. Take a bubble bath, indulge in some Netflix, exfoliate, immerse yourself in a good book, etc.
This also applies to getting help when you need it. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, GO GET HELP. I know it’s hard and it might even feel a bit odd, but forget what others think because everyone is struggling with something. Please know that you have the right to put yourself first and do what you need to do to get better.
Let's make 2016 the year of the happier and healthier mind!
