5 Mental Health Tips To Start 2018 On A More Peaceful Note

Every single one of us wants to live a happier, more fulfilling, joyous and peaceful life. Most of us just sit around and wait for it to happen, though. You can live a happier life and have peace of mind, but it's entirely in your hands. Here are a few things you can do in the new year to say hello to a happier you.

1. Channel Gratitude

In between long days packed with work, busy social evenings and tired nights, we find little time to sit and think about all the things we should be thankful for. Complaining is easy; unfortunately, and requires little or no effort at all. Thinking about all things that make your life a better one, on the other hand, requires a little more effort for most people - only because we've made sure all that gratitude is hiding under mountains of dissatisfaction. Take a moment to look around you and appreciate everything you have. You might be in a work environment you no longer appreciate, but think about what it has taught you and still teaches you. Think about the life you've spent with your spouse, your parents, your children, your siblings - even if there's little you find yourself appreciating in the present, take yourself back to the moments that made your life special. You will see just how far being grateful for what you've received so far can take you.

2. Don't Dwell On The Past

Dwelling on things that impacted you negatively or that made you unhappy in the past is the single most harmful thing you can do to yourself mentally. We've all been through ups and downs in life. Some more than others. But holding onto that and not allowing yourself the opportunity to move on and be happy is being extremely unfair to yourself. No matter what happened before the moment that you're currently in, you cannot change it. You can take steps to make amends if you were at fault, or forgive if someone else hurt you - but reliving the moment over and over again in your mind leads to nowhere but a dark place. Instead, focus on how you can make your present and even future better. Do things that make you happy and associate with people that bring positivity into your life.

3. Finish Off Your Most Daunting Task First Thing In The Morning

Most of us like to start our day off easy and leave all the tasks that we absolutely dread doing to the very end of the day. Here's how this usually ends - you push and push and push that task further away until you're dead tired to do it and wake up the next morning with the same task looming over your head. Not a pleasant feeling, is it? Instead wrap that task up as soon as you can. It'll give you more breathing room and ease off some of that anxiety you feel through the day.

4. Stop Worrying So Much About What People Think

There's no doubt that human beings are social creatures. All of us appreciate validation and want appreciation every now and then. The problem is that that validation often becomes our only source of happiness. While friends and family are all very important, what you think of yourself and your life needs to matter more than anything else. Not hurting the sentiments of people you love is great, but "Log kya kahenge" can't be the mantra you live by in the new year.

5. Spend More Time Outdoors

Wake up, check phone, go to work, check phone, work, check phone, eat food, check phone... You get the drift. That is a tiny recap of how most of us spend our days. Every single day. All that sitting indoors and staring at our phone and letting that device be our only contact with the world outside can take more of a toll on our sanity than we think. Spending time outdoors is important. If you don't live in the cleanest or safest city in the world, try getting out to cleaner places as often as you can. You'll be surprised at how just a walk in the park or even just sitting outdoors and observing or talking to people can boost your happiness.

Have a happy new year.