How to Set Realistic Mental Health Goals for the New Year

“Setting Realistic Mental Health Goals for the New Year: A Mindful Approach to Personal Growth”

The New Year often brings pressure to transform ourselves overnight. While change is possible, lasting mental health improvements require a mindful approach to personal growth. Let’s explore how to set achievable mental wellness goals that stick.

Traditional resolutions often fail because we set overly ambitious goals, they lack a clear actionable plan, while also focusing on outcomes rather than the process and neglecting your readiness for change.

The Mental Health Priority Shift

Approaching change with a Growth Mindset means, instead of broad resolutions, consider focusing on specific mental health priorities. First try to understand your emotional patterns and look at improve your self-awareness of these patterns and your actions/reactions, while learning to create better boundaries and help you manage stress more effectively.

Use the SMART framework for setting your personal goals, especially those with a mental health focus:

Specific: “I will practice 10 minutes of mindfulness daily” rather than “I’ll be less stressed”

Measurable: Track your progress through journaling or apps

Achievable: Start with small, manageable changes

Relevant: Ensure goals align with your values and needs

Time-bound: Set realistic timeframes for progress

Sustainable and lasting change comes through small, incremental efforts, celebrating those small wins and adjusting your goals as necessary.

The Role of Therapy – What is Challenge Based Psychology?

Challenge-based psychology is a psychological approach that transforms challenges and obstacles into personal growth and development. When one overcomes obstacles and challenges, they can push themselves out of their own comfort zone which leads to increased resilience, self-efficacy, and personal growth.

This approach encourages individuals to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to view setbacks as learning experiences rather than failures. We use this approach in our therapeutic settings to help individuals overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression etc, all while building resilience and promoting personal growth!