10 Ways to Better Yourself in the New Year
It is safe to assume that 2021 was better for your mental health than 2020 was. However, there is always a way to become a better and happier version of yourself! Here are 10 ways how:
It is safe to assume that 2021 was better for your mental health than 2020 was. However, there is always a way to become a better and happier version of yourself! Here are 10 ways how:
Although Andy Williams might call the holiday season “the most wonderful time of the year,” others relate more with Elvis Presley and have a “blue Christmas.” Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Boxing Day, the holidays are associated with joy, family, relaxation, gifts, and laughter. You see it in movies and commercials and hear about it in songs on the radio, but the reality is the holidays are a lonely and stressful time for some. Approximately 40% of adults are riddled with social anxiety around the holidays.
Thanksgiving gives us some time to get away from work to unwind with our loved ones while we stuff ourselves with turkey, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and whatever else is on our table. It is also a time for us to reflect on everything that happened in the past year and show our gratitude. You may currently be struggling physically, mentally, socially, or financially and think your life is a failure. Still, if you can relate to anything in those first two sentences, you already have many things to be thankful for. Many people in the United States and worldwide do not have a family to spend time with, a delicious meal to eat, or even a place to sleep. Others may be working throughout the holidays or may be unemployed.
Looking at life in this regard will help you realize how fortunate you are. Looking on the bright side will make you more confident, optimistic, and happier, improving your mental health.
The impact of COVID-19 altered the way behavioral healthcare operates and sets objectives. Many Americans were out of work, uninsured, and/or dealing with a new or existing behavioral health disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. The demand for mental health services did not match the resources available, causing those issues to worsen throughout the pandemic.
If you are one of those individuals who have an alcohol addiction or developed one due to COVID-19, don’t worry; there is still hope for recovery. In honor of National Recovery Month, here are 7 tips for getting and staying sober.