New Year’s Eve has come and went until 2014 rolls around. It is the time when people look to the beginning of 2013, and say what do I want to change in my life. A quick search on Google will bring up many sites listing the most popular New Year’s Resolutions. http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml Most of the lists include the same type of activities. People want to enhance their outward appearance. There are very few resolutions that address the idea of enhancing their mental health.
What would resolutions addressing mental health look like? If someone wanted to enhance their mental health in 2013, what could they do? The first most important step to enhancing your mental health is to know yourself and your emotions.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-human-emotions.html This seems like such an easy thing. Yet, it is very hard to do. Most people will say anger, fear, sadness, and happy are the emotions they have. There are so many more emotions that people experience in a day. Did you know there are actually four different levels of feelings to describe angry? They are irritated, frustrated, anger, and enraged. Learning to address your feelings when you are irritated instead of enraged would go a long ways towards making you a happier person.
The second step would be to begin a practice of meditation. For many people the term meditation brings to mind the image of a person sitting cross legged on the floor saying “OMMMM”. Meditation simply means to quiet the mind. This can be done while walking, exercising or during prayer. If your mind wanders bring it back to thinking about nothing. meditation can decrease your blood pressure and improve concentration.The third step would be to say what you mean, and mean what you say. This, also, sounds like an easy thing to do. It is not easy. Ask yourself how many times you have told a little white lie, because “you fill in the blank” We can rationalization every kind of answer to put in the blank. What is wrong with saying what you mean? Sit with that thought for a minute.
Saying what you mean makes communication clearer, and less confusing. It can diffuse arguments, increase positive feelings, and you will feel good about yourself. When you combine these simple steps into your daily activities, you will see a difference in your outlook on life, and an increase in happiness. Who doesn’t want to be happy in 2013?
Comments