Mental health resolutions can improve ’22
Have you decided on your 2022 New Year’s Resolution?
Many choose to focus on their physical health and make a resolution to lose weight, eat healthier or exercise more. But have you considered resolving to improve your mental health?
We know that our Montgomery County community has experienced numerous traumas over the last several years, making a focus on our mental health more important than ever.
On Dec. 7, the Surgeon General issued a rare public health advisory warning of an emerging youth mental health crisis. The Montgomery County Prevention Coalition, a group of 200 local volunteers focused on reducing substance use and improving mental wellness in Montgomery County, has offered 10 resolutions you can utilize as you focus on your mental health. Which will you choose?
■ Take time each day to stop and breathe. Practicing mindfulness for 5-10 minutes each day can have a huge impact on reducing stress and anxiety and improving your mood. Find what works for you! Maybe it’s meditation, writing in a gratitude journal, or just sitting in stillness before jumping into your day-to-day activities.
■ Unplug from your digital devices and social media. Set screen-time limits, unfollow people or pages that cause you stress or anxiety, and set up “no phone” times (like at mealtimes!). DigitalDetox101.org is an excellent resource to help you recognize signs of tech dependency and the site provides tips for reducing screen time.
■ Make time for human connection. Grab coffee with a co-worker, schedule a Zoom date with a family member, or text a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. The last two years have required us to “socially distance,” but it’s critical to keep our important relationships close and have a support system in place.
■ Practice grounding yourself. There are several different grounding techniques you can practice daily or when faced with moments of anxiety. One of my favorites is taking a moment to focus on your senses: place your feet flat on the floor and focus on 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
■ Get out in nature. Five Rivers MetroParks offers four short, easy Mindfulness Walks where visitors will find signage inviting them to stop and engage in a variety of simple breathing and meditation activities. Mindfulness Walks can be found at Eastwood, Huffman, Possum Creek, and Sunrise MetroParks.
■ Focus on well-rounded self-care. We need self-care in all aspects of life, but we often find ourselves lacking in one area or another. In 2022, try to find ways to practice self-care that foster your physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, personal, and professional health. Visit www.preventionmc.org and click on our self-care committee’s site for examples of how to focus on each of these areas.
■ Ask for the alternatives. It may seem simple to grab painkillers or opioids for injuries or pain, but opioid use may be taking a toll on your mental and physical health. Instead, ask your doctor for some other options! Find tips to advocate for your needs, as well as examples of pain management, at AskforAlternatives.com.
■ Find time for play. What did you love to do as a kid? What brings you true joy in life? What activity leaves you feeling energized and fulfilled? Find more time for those activities in your life, and make sure to prioritize them in your busy schedule.
■ Explore your hometown. Find tech-free things to do in Dayton, Ohio! One resource is this page: https:// www.daytonlocal.com/ events.asp.
■ Know your local resources. Download the LocalHelpNow app to find local substance use and mental health support services in Montgomery County. Locate support lines, find a provider, and connect to community support by downloading this free app.
■ About the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition (MCPC): The Montgomery County Prevention Coalition aims to prevent youth substance use and promote positive mental health by implementing evidence-based prevention strategies and community collaboration. The coalition’s vision is a community where every individual lives a substance-free life with optimal mental health. Learn more about the MCPC and access free community resources at www.preventionmc.org.