Good Morning,
The NEW YEAR is here!! We hope you all enjoyed a restful and relaxing winter break and brought in the year 2024 in the best possible way for you; whether it was on the couch with a blanket watching the ball drop from your warm and cozy living room or partying it up with family or friends until midnight and beyond! One thing is for sure about New Years! The pressure is on to make new, exciting things happen for ourselves and those around us. At least that's what it can feel like!
While it can easily feel like the start of the new year is our chance to hit the ground running on all of our newest aspirations, there are some healthy ways to set resolutions, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the upcoming year without causing yourself any unnecessary stress. The Mental Health First Aid Organization recommends, "Keep them realistic. When setting resolutions, it’s important to take time to reflect on the change you wish to see and what you realistically can do to achieve that change." (MHFA, 2023). Action For Happiness has also encouraged healthy New Years habits with their January Calendar - Happier January (attached). Some actions they suggest for a great start to the year include learning something new and taking a different route to one of your regular destinations among others!
As we get back into our routine in this new, exciting 2024 year, use this natural reset as a chance to recenter and ground yourself. See if you can help others around you do the same. Remember that goals reached or not reached from last year are not an indication of a successful year. Rather, you survived the year and can look back with appreciation of the growth and lessons learned, and that is what matters!
Happy 2024!!
Sincerely,
