If you need help or support, you can call or text 988, says Dr Bert Andrews.
st. LOUIS — Many started running Monday morning and are on their way to new goals for 2023.
But according to Forbes’ new health survey, the health and wellness improvements go far beyond the treadmill.
Dr. Bart Andrews of Behavioral Health Response wasn’t surprised to hear that “improving mental health” tops the list of solutions, especially among younger generations.
A November survey of 1,005 US adults found that 45% of respondents said improving their mental health was one of their biggest New Year’s resolutions.
Fitness improvement was second with 39%.
“Depression and anxiety are on the rise among young people,” says Dr. Andrews. Gen Z and millennials are much more open to talking about emotional issues and more willing to seek counseling services. It is.”
Exercise itself can improve mental health, he says.
When setting goals, he says, take one step at a time and be tangible about the change.
“I want to exercise more, be more engaged, have less anxiety—these are more attainable goals than normal, and I want to be a happier, better person,” he noted.
He recommended setting reasonable small goals instead of big ones.
Dr. Andrews said it would make a difference when it comes to changing behavior.
If you’ve made progress, give yourself grace and praise the work you’ve done.
If you’re feeling down, try to get over it.
“If you feel anxious and want to avoid something, don’t avoid it. Do the opposite of what you want to do in the moment. We want to keep it, but that means our world is getting smaller.Where’s safe?At home before your favorite show or video game, or online. Well, life isn’t comfortable. Getting better isn’t comfortable. If you want to be strong, you have to do certain things to get stronger and healthier,” he said. rice field.
Dr. Andrews believes that indulging in emotions can also help.
he said: “There is a lot of research that shows that by developing a deeper connection with your body and emotions, you can better manage them. You need to encourage them to lean in and even keep a journal.”
He also suggests tracking the stressors and positive things in your life.
“We track when we feel bad and when we feel good and look for trends. We have more control than people realize, and we can control what changes. Can we improve those situations?” he added.
Dr. Andrews suggested that you also look at these two websites:
If you need help or support, you can call or text 988, says Dr. Andrews.
This is a new suicide prevention lifeline available 24/7 with trained therapists ready to provide resources.
