Photo from Unsplash by Matteo Di Iorio

Article by Noelle Di Perna

As the new year commenced, a common theme that occurs is creating new goals and habits. Although there are many stereotypical ways to approach new years goals and habits, it is important to start with small and attainable actions that can assist in an individual’s personal growth. This article will go through three mentally healthy habits and actions any individual can partake in this year. 

Photo from Unsplash by Julian Hochgesang 

  1. Develop a bedtime to improve sleep 

It is incredibly easy to fall into an unhealthy sleeping pattern due to high stress priorities such as work, school or personal affairs. This year, make it a priority to sleep better. Having a set bedtime and routine is the first step, as it improves the individual’s quality of sleep and ability to fall asleep. Having an orderly routine calms the mind and body from a potentially stressful day and will overtime alert the body that it is time to fall asleep. Additionally, with the unpredictable pandemic having a predictable and orderly bed time routine can be soothing. A bedtime routine is completely customizable and can be as simple as stopping work and school activities an hour before bed to calm the mind. 

Photo from Unsplash by Benjamin Child

2. Try out meditation 

Meditation can seem intimidating but just like many other tasks, meditation takes practice. A meditative practice can range in length from as little as one minute to hours in length. Meditation has been proven to boost memory and allow individuals to live in the present moment more effectively. Some other benefits of meditation include increased creativity, emotional balance, decreased anxiety and depression and decreased physical pains. Something unique about meditation is that the effects of the practice can occur at any given point throughout the day impacting an individual’s stress, positivity and creativity levels throughout the day. Some free applications that offer short and long meditations are Balance and Pixel Thoughts. 

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Photo from Unsplash by Green Chameleon

3. Learn a new language through Duolingo 

Committing to learning a new language this year is an excellent way to exercise one’s brain and partake in an activity that does not involve social media. Learning a new language can be as simple as a 5-15 minute lesson through an application such as Duolingo. Learning a new language can be a calming practice that one can add in their daily routine for some variety in their day. Some other benefits of learning a new language are connecting with others, reducing social media screen time and increasing memory and thinking skills.