While we often look for ways to improve our physical health during the new year, we often forget to improve our own mental health.
This new year don’t put your happiness on the back burner. Pledge to improve our own mental health by focusing on small, helpful tasks each and everyday.
These tasks can range from improving your own space to helping those around you. You don’t need a gym, equipment, or a personal trainer in order to get mentally “fit.” You just need a desire to find your inner balance. Here are a few mental health resolutions to undertake in 2016.
1. Learn The Art Of Saying “No”
Stop wearing yourself so thin, and sart putting yourself first in 2016.
2. Stop Trying To Please Those Around You
While you may love making others happy, it could be draining you emotionally. Take stock of your intentions. Are you doing a task for your own benefit, or to please someone else?
3. Clean Up Your Space
A cluttered space can clutter the mind. Keep your area clean in order to produce healthy, productive thoughts.
4. Make The Things You Love A Priority
Spending money on the things that you love isn’t a waste. Think of it as in investment in your self esteem.
5. Say Something Nice About Yourself Every Time You Look In A Mirror
Instead of pointing out your flaws, start complimenting yourself when you look in the mirror. It’s a quick and easy step to learning to love yourself.
6. Remember To Log Your Thoughts
Journaling is an amazing way to document your day-to-day activities. It also helps to address any feeling that you may be bottling up. Start writing down your thoughts from the end of the day, and review them every week. It will help you look at how you handle your situations, and may give you insight on inner improvement.
7. Don’t Focus On Other People’s Negativity
There are always going to be those people who have a negative outlook on life, however, you don’t have to be one of them. Choose to support your own happiness, and the happiness of those around you, instead. Once you stop hearing the negativity, you’ll realize instantly on how it was bringing you down.
8. Step Away From Those Who Drain You
This isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly effective. In 2016, focus on stepping away from those who are emotionally toxic to you. Whether it’s an unsupportive friend, a jealous family member, or an unstable loved one, you have to know when to walk away.
9. Stop Explaining Yourself
Who cares why you chose a deep dish pizza instead of salad? Your decisions are your own, and you don’t have to explain them to anyone.
10. Find Ways To Turn Negatives Into Positives
Not getting that promotion doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. It may just mean you weren’t at the point in your life to take that next step. When it comes to upsetting situations, always try to see the situation in a more positive light.
11. Learn To Appreciate Napping
Sleep is a beautiful thing. Learn to appreciate it again.
12. Realize That Social Media Isn’t Always Honest
No one wants to seem boring on the Internet. Everyone is trying to look skinnier, happier, and more exciting. Keep that in mind the next time you scroll through your social media feeds.
13. Volunteer For Things You Actually Care About
Why spend your time pretending to care about things you don’t? If you want to hang out with puppies for an afternoon, consider volunteering at an animal shelter. It will do wonders for your mental health.
14. Exercise
This doesn’t mean run a marathon (unless you want too). Simply, start walking more often, or getting yourself outside. Get your blood pumping, and feel the rush that comes with exercising.
15. Turn Off Your Technology Before Bed
Keeping your phone away from your bedside can do wonders for your sleep. The bright lights of notifications and constant beeping can keep you from falling asleep. Do yourself a favor, and put the phone away.
Photo by Dawn Ashley 
Photo by Moyan_Brenn