2023-12-26 22:05:00
Many see the new year as a time for new opportunity, experts say
(Dennis Thompson – HealthDay News) — Three-quarters of people plan to start the New Year with a resolution to be healthier, including 28 percent who want to focus on improving their mental health, a recent survey conducted in the United States found. USA.
These people plan to exercise more (67%), meditate (49%), journal (26%), or see a therapist (35%) or psychiatrist (21%), according to results from the monthly Healthy Minds survey ( Healthy Minds) from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
“Many see the new year as a time for a new opportunity, or to try something different, which is great,” said APA President Dr. Petros Levounis.
“At the same time, in mental health, just as in physical health, maintenance and mindfulness are important,” Levounis added in an APA news release. “Keep your healthy routines, maintain your relationships with your loved ones, and take good care of yourself and the people around you.”
Age influenced how likely someone was to focus on improving their mental health. More than two in five (44 percent) of young adults ages 18 to 34 plan to make a New Year’s resolution related to mental health, compared to just 7 percent of older adults, the survey found. .
Other popular resolutions that might help improve mental health include focusing more on spirituality (40%), reducing social media use (31%), or using a mental health app (21%), results from the survey.
About 6 percent chose “forest bathing” (immersion in natural green spaces) as their mental health solution.
Other popular resolutions highlighted by survey participants include:
Physical condition (39%)
Finance (34%)
Diet (26%)
Social/relationships (22%)
Travel (21%)
Hobbies/skills (18%)
Organization/cleaning (15%)
Professional/career (13%)
Donations/volunteering (12%)
“Taking care of your mental health doesn’t have to be tied to a holiday, any of us can take any of these steps at any time,” said Dr. Saul Levin, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of the APA. “That said, the turn of the year is a great excuse to try something new to take care of your mental health.”
This year’s survey was conducted in early December among more than 2,000 adults.
More information
The National Mental Health Alliance has more suggestions for mental health resolutions.
SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association, press release, December 19, 2023
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