Achieving your mental health goals might sound like a daunting task. On the contrary, if you’re suffering from mental illness, or simply want to experience good mental health to help you lead a more fulfilling life, there are achievable steps you can take to help reach your mental health goals. Below are some of the many ways you can set mental health goals, why they are vital, and how making resolutions can help you achieve better mental well-being in 2023!
What Are Mental Health Goals?
First and foremost, it’s important to define what mental health goals are. Mental health goals are objectives that you set that are related to your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Keep in mind that goals will appear different for everyone, because everyone’s mental health, mental health issues, and mental health circumstances are different. However, having mental health goals is a great way for anyone to gain control, overcome challenges, and feel better in the new year.
Why Mental Health Goals Are Important
Setting mental health goals can be a great way to hold yourself accountable for your well-being. It’s also a great way to improve mental health, with or without help from a mental health professional. Studies have shown that setting goals has many benefits for a person’s mental health, such as:
- Improving motivation for positive changes
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Creating a sense of purpose and direction in life
- Increasing self-confidence
- Providing positive reinforcement throughout the process
- Gaining a wholistic perspective on mental health
Setting achievable goals can gradually lead to better mental health overall. It’s important to remember that it is ok if you don’t reach all your goals right away. Setting realistic goals is key to creating an intentional and successful plan.
How To Set Mental Health Goals
Setting goals is essential for making progress. Goals can provide direction, encourage action, and help you stay focused on the things you want to accomplish. Establishing goals gives you something to work toward, as well as measurable objectives.
Set SMART Goals
One time-tested way to set goals is to utilize the SMART goal framework. When setting your mental health goals it’s important to create SMART goals, which are goals that include the following elements:
S – Specific – What do you want to achieve?
M – Measurable – How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
A – Achievable– Is this something that is realistically achievable for you?
R– Relevant – Does this align with your overall goals and values?
T– Time-bound – When do you want to achieve this goal?
SMART goals are helpful because they create an actionable plan that is easy to follow. When your goal includes all of these criteria it is more likely to be successful. “Specific” goals give you a clear understanding of exactly what you need to do, “measurable” goals allow you to track your progress and make adjustments where necessary, “achievable” goals ensure that your goal can actually reasonably be achieved, “relevant” goals keep your focus in check by ensuring the goal aligns with your values and purpose, and “time-bound” goals provide structure and urgency by ensuring the task is completed within a certain timeframe.
Some examples of SMART mental health goals are:
- I want to increase my daily meditation time from 10 minutes to 20 minutes every day by the end of the month.
- I want to reduce my social media usage by two hours a week and replace it with activities that bring me joy, such as reading or going for a walk, by next month.
- I want to join a support group or therapy program in order to better manage my mental health within the next six months.
These are just a few examples, but you can tailor your own goals to fit what works best for you and your lifestyle. Here are some ideas and topics that might help you create goals and begin shaping your plan for the new year:
- To seek treatment for mental illness
- To manage stress levels
- To explore a new skill
- To seek therapy
- To focus on physical health
- To a reliable support system
- To cultivate healthy relationships
- To learn more about mental health issues
- To practice self-care
- To learn healthier coping mechanisms
Remember, these are not goals on their own, they are just topics. Your goals should fit the SMART goal framework.
Also, it’s okay to incorporate exercise and diet into both your short-term goals and long-term goals. Mental health and physical health are closely related, and many mental health conditions might be exacerbated by lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet.
How To Achieve Mental Health Goals
One of the best ways to achieve your mental health goals is to create an action plan. This includes breaking down smaller, more achievable steps that you can take on a daily or weekly basis. It’s important to keep this plan flexible for when life throws you curveballs. It’s also helpful to have someone you can reach out to for support and guidance. Additionally, having a positive mindset is essential for success when striving towards your goals.
Finally, taking the time to celebrate your accomplishments will help keep you motivated on the road to better mental health. Acknowledge each step of progress that you make in both your long and short-term goals, and remember that progress is not linear. Give yourself grace, and be proud of your accomplishments even if they seem small.
Mental health goals can be daunting to set, but with the right plan in place, you can create a path for successful recovery. Below are some more tips to help you get started!
Know Small Changes Make a Difference
Start by making small changes in your daily routine. Home organization, exercise, and healthy eating are all important parts of managing mental health. Try implementing these things into your life one step at a time and gradually increase the amount of time or effort you put into them. You can also try meditating, journaling, or using mindfulness techniques to help boost your mental health.
Many people try too hard to make big changes all at once and end up feeling overwhelmed or like they are not making progress. But with small, consistent tweaks to your routine, you will be able to maintain a healthier lifestyle over time. In addition, studies show that small changes can have a big impact on everything from physical fitness, to productivity, to mental health.
Celebrate Achievements
No matter how small, it’s important to recognize and celebrate every milestone on your mental health goal-setting journey. Celebrating your achievements can help boost motivation and create positive reinforcement. This will give you the strength to keep pushing forward when things get tough.
For example, if you have achieved one of your SMART goals, take some time to appreciate that accomplishment. You may want to reward yourself with a treat or indulgence, or just take some alone time for self-care. Whatever makes you feel good and helps you recognize that progress is being made should be celebrated!
Good mental health isn’t something that happens overnight—it takes consistent effort and determination over time. But by setting realistic goals, creating an action plan, and celebrating your successes along the way, you can set yourself up for a successful journey on the road to better mental health.
Know What to Do In Case of a Setback
Of course, no one is perfect, and setbacks will happen no matter how much better you are doing. For instance, people undergoing recovery from substance abuse disorder relapse at a rate of 40% to 60% after rehab. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean your journey to better mental health has failed. It just means that you need to adjust and readjust your plan as needed in order to get back on track.
If you experience a setback, remember these tips:
- Acknowledge the setback – Accepting that it happened can help you move past it faster. For instance, if you have relapsed on substance abuse, recognize that it happened and create a plan for how to move forward.
- Reevaluate your goals – Make sure they are still realistic and achievable for where you are at now. It may be helpful to talk to a mental health professional or support group during this time.
- Create an action plan – Find ways you can get back on the right track. This might include adjusting your goals, implementing more structure in your life, or seeking professional help if necessary.
- Seek support – Talk with friends, family members, or a therapist about what happened and how to keep going. You might also consider attending outpatient treatment or support groups, which can provide much-needed accountability and guidance.
- Stay positive– Don’t be too hard on yourself—remind yourself of all the progress you have made so far and have some self-compassion in case of setbacks. No matter how far you have to go, look at how far you’ve come.
When Is the Best Time To Start Mental Health Goals?
Many people mistakenly think they need to be slightly “better” before starting to work on their mental health and creating goals. For instance, if you have anxiety, you might say things such as, “When I stop having panic attacks, then I can start to work on my mental health.”
However, the best time to start is now—you don’t have to wait until you feel “better” or reach a certain point in order to get started. If there are specific goals that you want to achieve, such as reducing your stress levels or improving your self-esteem, make them into SMART goals and create an action plan for how to achieve them. Working towards better mental health doesn’t happen overnight, but small steps taken consistently over time can lead to great progress. The sooner you start goal setting, the soon you start goal achieving.
Mental health goals are important if you want to improve your overall wellbeing. Setting SMART goals and creating an action plan can help you stay focused and motivated throughout your journey. It’s also helpful to acknowledge your successes and keep going even when things get tough. Remember, you don’t have to wait until you feel “better” before taking steps towards better mental health—you can start now!
Achieve Your Mental Health Goals Now
Nothing is impossible when you have professional help and support by your side. At Clear Recovery Center, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment to help you reach your goals. Our experienced team works with you to create a personalized plan that fits your individual needs and helps you achieve lasting results. Call us now for a confidential assessment or more information about our services. We are here to help you every step of the way on your journey to better mental health!
