Dr Mandeep Kaur
Welcome to a fresh new year full of endless possibilities for growth. We tend to look for opportunities to wipe the proverbial slate clean and start again. While traditional New Year’s resolutions often focus on physical health, why not make 2025 the year you prioritize your mental well-being? Let’s make 2025 all about nurturing our minds, hearts, and souls.
Embrace the “Imperfectionist” Mindset
Let’s banish those unrealistic expectations and embrace a mindset celebrating mistakes as stepping stones to growth. Give yourself permission to learn, stumble, and rise even stronger.
Self-Care
Commit to carve out regular moments of self-care this year. This practice goes deeper than throwing on a face mask or a bubble bath. For e.g. taking a nature walk to playing a game to eating food that fuels your body and boosts your energy. Pause to schedule visits to your health professional and encourage your loved ones too. After all, good health is the foundation of everything we want to do in life.
Resolve to make quality sleep a priority
Prioritize your sleep as much as possible – it’s the foundation of a healthy mind and body. Not only does getting enough quality sleep help you keep extra weight off, but it can reduce some risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, and chronic diseases such as diabetes. It also helps you think more clearly.
The Social Circle Remix
It’s important to carefully curate your social circle with individuals who radiate positivity and provide unwavering support. It’s time to ditch the energy vampires and make space for those who encourage your growth and happiness. Regular interactions help “relieve harmful levels of stress, which can adversely affect coronary arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system.” Best of all, connecting with someone else doesn’t require money or a special set of skills.
Practice Mindful Screen Time
In a world buzzing with notifications, take control of your screen time. Mindless scrolling can drain your mental energy. Set boundaries and make time for more enriching activities-like reading, meditating, or trying your hand at a new hobby.
Move Your Body, Groove Your Mood
Who says exercise has to be a monotonous treadmill slog? Find a physical activity that brings you joy-dancing, yoga, hiking, or even hula hooping! Moving your body not only keeps you fit but also releases those fabulous endorphins that boost your mood. More realistic is to walk around the nearby park twice a week – or leaving the car at home when running nearby errands and riding a bike instead.
Learn the Art of Saying “No”
Your time and energy are precious resources. Saying “NO” is okay when something doesn’t align with your well-being or goals. Boundaries are your best friends-set them kindly but firmly.
Unleash Your Inner Creative Genius
Unleash your inner creativity and escape daily stresses by engaging in activities that spark your imagination. Whether painting, writing, photography, crafting, or cooking (and eating), let your creativity flow and experience the therapeutic benefits of self-expression.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. They guide you through challenges and help you develop coping strategies. No matter where we live, there’s no shortage of people, causes, or organizations that can benefit from our time, expertise, or resources.
So, here’s to a year of growth, self-love, and positive vibes. Let’s journey towards a healthier, happier, more intentional life. Cheers to the fantastic adventure that awaits in 2025!
(The author is assistant Professor Dept of Oral Pathology& Microbiology Indira Gandhi Govt Dental College, Jammu)
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