New year, new mental health goals; new tools to thrive. January is a great time to reflect upon the previous year and envision your goals for the upcoming one. New adventures may be waiting around the next corner! “Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” Let Dr. Devers help you write your adventure story for 2019.
5 Things You Can Do To Start Your New Year Right
- Practice using your voice. The cultural narrative around gender, race/color, age, sexual orientation, etc. often encourage many of us to live our lives more as observers and less as participants; more obedient than challenging; more accommodating than objecting. The result is that we often take on roles that require giving up our voice, ceasing to respond with our true thoughts and feelings. You have the ability to write your 2019 adventure with a variety of creative ways to be intentional and deliberate, giving yourself daily encouragement to practice using your voice, making “I-Statements” and responding to loved ones with honest responses: “I do/don’t like that; I want/don’t want this; I do/don’t appreciate that.”
- Set boundaries. Learning to say “no” is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and to improve your relationships. Being over-scheduled can lead to physical and mental exhaustion as a result of stress. Keeping your body and mind healthy requires you to create opportunities in your daily schedules for rest and relaxation, to close your eyes and take deep, intentional breaths.
- Acknowledge yourself. This involves both celebrating the wonderful things that make you who you are and recognizing your limitations. Both of these things can happen in balance with one another. Fill 2019 with opportunities to live life courageously; embracing the attitude of “and/both” rather than “either/or”. Learn to appreciate the person/partner/family you are and/both the one you are becoming.
- Consider mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness may look different for everyone. It could be meditation, yoga, adult coloring, crocheting, running, weight-lifting, journaling, etc. The important part is that you are doing something that focuses your mind on the present. Allowing our minds to be present can decrease stress and anxiety, leading to a calmer and creative outlook.
- Nourish your body. Loving yourself can take many forms, one of which is giving your body nourishing food. It’s amazing how much eating nutritious meals and drinking enough water can impact your day. You’ll find your body has more fuel to energize you and your brain is sharper and more productive.
Do you have more specific 2019 goals in mind?
Maybe this is the year you want to take steps to counteract your anxiety. Maybe you desire to be more authentic and have more intimacy in your relationships. Perhaps you have big career goals and would benefit from career counseling. No matter your personal or relationship goals, Dr. Eugene Devers is here to walk along side of you on your journey. Accomplishing big goals is about taking regular baby steps, being intentional and deliberate, and putting one foot in front of the other until you’re well on your way. With practical guidance from a qualified counselor, you can achieve incredible things throughout 2019.
Connect with Philly Family Life Counseling in NorthEast Philadelphia
You can take your first step now by contacting Philly Family Life Counseling LLC. Our welcoming staff is available on weekdays between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to answer your questions or set you up with an appointment. You can reach us by calling 215-677-3810 or by requesting an appointment online.
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