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New Year, New You: 5 Mental Health Resolutions for a Better 2026
January is considered Mental Wellness Month. What better time to focus on resolutions involving your mental health?
The first step in working through mental health issues is getting help. Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, provides telehealth visit for a range of conditions at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas. Here are five resolutions to get you started on the path to better health.
What are some common mental health issues?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness, including:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness
If your mental health is hindering your ability to cope with day-to-day challenges and/or relationships, Dr. Iwuamadi offers help for a variety of issues, from anxiety and depression to insomnia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Five resolutions to improve your mental wellness
One: Establish achievable goals
Begin the year by setting reasonable goals. While you may be reticent to create goals for fear of failure, you’ll find it really helps in the long run. Small achievements turn negative self-talk around, giving you moments of pride instead of getting lost in self-doubt.
Dr. Iwuamadi offers specific suggestions involving self-care, relationships, and more to help you engage in activities that make you feel more empowered and optimize your therapy.
Two: Prioritize a regular sleep schedule
Waking up refreshed each day does wonders for your emotional and physical well-being. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time. Without proper rest, you’re more apt to suffer from mood changes and difficulty concentrating.
If you have insomnia, Dr. Iwuamadi offers treatments to help you get back on track. She also suggests you:
- Create a dark, quiet environment.
- Find a comfortable, supportive mattress and pillow.
- Block unwanted noise with a sound machine.
- Practice meditation to fall asleep more easily.
- Avoid foods containing sugar, caffeine, or alcohol, especially before bedtime.
- Eat more leafy greens and nuts containing sleep-enhancing magnesium.
- Exercise earlier to avoid excess stimulation at night.
A few simple changes make a world of difference.
Three: Get moving
Myriad studies show exercise improves both your stamina and mood. Aerobic exercise, for instance, helps lower anxiety by reducing the fight or flight response. Regular exercise also improves balance and flexibility, while lessening symptoms of depression.
Physical exercise increases a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which lowers anxiety and depression and enhances mental capacity. Cardiovascular exercises, such as running, hiking, and dancing, also trigger feel-good endorphins and other mood-enhancing neurotransmitters.
Four: Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you relax those thoughts that stream steadily through your mind by focusing on the here and now rather than worrying about future problems or past situations. While it begins in your mind, mindfulness practice:
- Helps keep your body and spirit grounded
- Relieves stress
- Enables you to view challenging issues and relationships in a more positive light
Dr. Iwuamadi recommends various mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and meditation, to help you deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Five: Improve your communication with others
Mindfulness also helps you communicate better by remaining present during conversations and not rehashing past problems unless they’re truly relevant.
Record your daily thoughts and feelings in a journal to help process your emotions. If you still find yourself getting repeatedly heated while interacting with others, consider anger management.
Dr. Iwuamadi offers anger management treatments to help you identify thoughts or behaviors that incite your anger. She also helps you learn the underlying causes and form practical strategies to control your volatile responses.
Your number one resolution
Your most important resolution is to treat yourself and others with kindness and care. Resolutions take time and practice to achieve. Don’t try to tackle all your goals at once. Start small and build a strong foundation throughout 2026 and well beyond.
Remember to reach out for help. Dr. Iwuamadi and our compassionate team help you learn new ways to overcome obstacles and achieve better emotional well-being. To discuss any mental health issues via telehealth, contact us today at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.