It has been wonderful to welcome all our students back this week after the Christmas holiday. We’ve really enjoyed hearing about everyone’s break, your Christmases and your thoughts on the year ahead. For many of our students we’re straight back into academic study; for others we’re taking the time this week to ease back into the routine and relationships we nurture here at Breakthrough. We’ve had every weather and every emotion and they’re all welcome with us! The snow-topped hills of Dartmoor look particularly lovely from Cannamore College this week:
As a society, we often use the new year period to look back on the year that has passed and look to the year ahead, pledging change for the better. Whilst it can be helpful to implement positive changes, if you do decide to make new year’s resolutions, try to think about how they’ll affect your mental health throughout the year. And remember, it’s okay if you decide not to make any – or if you change your mind about them.
The language we use is also important. Rather than saying ‘I must’, try changing your language to ‘I will try.’ This helps to put us in the right frame of mind and allows us to be flexible and realistic about our goals.
So, if you want to use this time of year to try making a positive change for your mental and physical wellbeing, here are some examples to think about:
- I will try to spend less time on my phone.
- I will try to listen to my body and understand when it needs fresh air, a stretch, sleep or nourishing food.
- I will try to remember that exercise can make me feel good.
- I will try to embrace opportunities to be sociable when I feel able.
- I will try to remember that it’s okay to make mistakes.
Ultimately, remember that new year’s resolutions should be about positivity. We all want to make beneficial changes for both our physical health and our mental health. Self-compassion, positive changes, and patience will be key to achieving our wellbeing goals no matter when we make them.
