It’s no secret that self-care fuels confidence and self-esteem, helping to boost your mental health in various ways.
Cultivating a routine that prioritises taking care of yourself, whether dedicating more time for relaxation, exercise, socialising, or engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment, helps you sustain emotional wellness.
With the new year well and truly underway, you may be looking at ways to boost your mental health and inject positive self-care rituals into your daily routine to help you enjoy a healthier, happier year ahead.
This article outlines seven effective strategies you can use immediately to boost your mental health in 2024 (and beyond).
How we can help
Centres for Health and Healing provide personalised mental health treatment programs to help you explore your thoughts and behaviours and develop healthier coping skills to enhance and enrich your life.
We provide individualised treatment programs that help you identify and explore any emotional or behavioural patterns that you feel no longer serve you or cause you distress, holding you back from being your whole, most authentic self.
Our integrated treatment programs adopt a whole-person approach to recovery.
This means we treat your symptoms and any underlying root cause (s), giving you a better chance of lasting recovery and wellness.
Below are just some of the addiction and mental health treatment programs we offer at our Toronto recovery centre:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- PTSD treatment
- Substance addiction treatment
- Mindfulness therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family support
- Aftercare and support program
To learn more about our mental health treatment programs, contact our friendly team in Toronto, who can provide information and support to help you kickstart the new year in a way that feels authentic to you and your goals, whatever they may be.
Seven effective strategies to boost your mental health in 2024
Prioritising your mental health is essential, particularly if you want to enjoy a whole and balanced life.
It can help foster emotional resilience, improve relationships, and increase productivity and overall well-being.
Additionally, cultivating consistent self-care rituals enables you to practise healthy coping skills to help you manage life’s inevitable challenges, contributing to a happier and more fulfilling life.
So, if you feel that your mental health needs an extra boost in 2024, here are seven effective strategies to help you along the way:
1. Set realistic goals for yourself
Establishing achievable goals that align with your personal values and intentions can help you sustain emotional wellness instead of getting tangled up in situations, projects or activities that do not serve your higher purpose, plans and objectives.
Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps can help foster a sense of accomplishment that enhances your self-esteem and can positively impact your mental health.
You may find the SMART goals technique helpful if you want to learn more about goal-setting.
The SMART goals strategy can help you set clear goals and objectives, providing the motivation and clarity you need to succeed in whatever intentions you select for yourself for the year ahead.
To learn more about the SMART goals technique, click here.
Furthermore, our specialist team can help you build your self-esteem and confidence through various techniques and treatment programs.
Contact our recovery centre today to learn more.
2. Practice mindfulness
Various studies show that mindfulness helps people feel happier and less stressed.
For instance, a 2018 study showed how mindfulness increases happiness, but only if individuals engaging in the practice can make space for feelings that arise without judging them.
Other studies have shown that mindfulness improves immune system function.
For example, a 2012 study revealed that elderly participants found higher immune system function after an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course.
By incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily life, whether through meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or mindful activities, you can cultivate present-moment awareness that can help manage stress and enhance overall mental resilience and well-being.
To learn more about our mindfulness therapy program, contact our Toronto team today, who can provide additional information and support.
3. Minimise your screen time
Researchers note that limiting your time on social media and digital platforms is one effective way to boost your mental health.
Reducing your screen time can significantly improve your mood, relationships, and physical and mental well-being.
Some literature shows that limiting screen time can be a natural mood booster.
“Putting down your phone and going outside or doing an activity you enjoy can be a mood booster. It can make you feel more accomplished and improve your well-being. Depression and anxiety can cause a person to withdraw and isolate themselves from others. Engaging in social activities helps you connect with others and improve symptoms of these conditions”. (5 ways slimming screen time is good for your health, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mysoon Ayuob, M.D., May 21, 2021.)
By balancing your online activities with real-time interactions and outdoor adventures, you are more likely to experience an improvement in your overall mental health and stress levels over time.
4. Educate yourself
Another effective strategy to help boost your mental health is cultivating a mindset of continuous learning and personal growth.
Whether you acquire a new skill or hobby or gain knowledge in a specific area of interest, researchers note that pursuing personal development can positively impact your mental health by promoting a sense of purpose and achievement.
You may want to improve your culinary skills or join a creative writing class.
Learning new skills can give your mental health the boost it needs to enjoy the new year and embrace any long-held goals and ambitions.
5. Surround yourself with supportive people
Cultivating a loving, compassionate support network of friends, family, and community fuels mental health and well-being.
In fact, research found that your social circle can help perpetuate healthy (and not-so-healthy) habits.
Therefore, you must develop relationships with those who encourage you to pursue your interests and skills and embrace a growth mindset instead of a stagnant one. (10 Ways to Boost Self-Esteem for Better Emotional Health, Everyday Health, Laura Williams, May 31, 2023.)
Suppose you struggle with self-esteem or other mental health challenges like anxiety or depression.
In that case, you may have a tendency to self-isolate when feeling low, which can worsen your symptoms and lead to further social withdrawal.
Please speak to our friendly team today, who can lend a compassionate ear and develop a treatment plan to improve your self-esteem and confidence, increasing resilience and reducing your symptoms.
6. Practice self-compassion and empathy
Instead of listening to that critical inner voice that tells you you’re not good enough or unworthy, you must learn to give yourself compassion and grace when things don’t pan out as expected.
When you cultivate self-compassion, you direct empathy and kindness toward yourself, leading to less comparison toward others and more open-mindedness and creativity.
Research shows that practising self-compassion after a setback can reduce feelings of disappointment and failure, making it more likely that you’ll “get back on the horse” instead of letting go of your goals and ambitions.
Moreover, studies reveal that strong self-compassion can improve health, relationships, and overall well-being.
For instance, those with higher self-compassion have reported lower levels of depression and anxiety.
This is because compassionate individuals tend to recognise when they are suffering and are more empathetic toward themselves during these periods, helping to reduce unpleasant mental health symptoms significantly.
7. Reach out for support
Despite our best efforts, there are times when we may need to consider seeking support from a mental health professional to help guide us through a difficult period.
Whether through therapy, coaching, counselling or support groups, reaching out for help and treatment is a proactive step toward emotional well-being.
Suppose you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
In that case, you must consult with a mental health professional who can assess you and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
There is no shame in reaching out for help and support.
It takes a lot of courage to admit you are struggling and to seek professional help.
However, once you begin treatment, you will feel more relaxed and confident in your decision.
The bottom line
Whether you are experiencing emotional issues or would like to boost your mental health, contact one of our specialists, who can help guide you on the path of lasting transformation, resilience, and recovery throughout 2024 and beyond.
We are here and ready to help!
Additional resources
- 10 Ways to Boost Self-Esteem for Better Emotional Health, Everyday Health, Laura Williams, May 31, 2023
- 5 ways slimming screen time is good for your health, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mysoon Ayuob, M.D., May 21, 2021
