The new year does not just signify a change in the calendar. Sometimes it can also be seen as a meaningful starting point for strengthening mental health, re-establishing emotional balance and increasing inner awareness.

Fulda Karaçiçek, Clinical Psychologist at Medline Adana Hospital, says that the new year offers important opportunities for individuals to review their lives, evaluate their habits, and chart a new course for themselves spiritually. She explains simple but effective steps that can be taken in the new year.

Set realistic goals

New Year's resolutions often start with high expectations, but goals that are difficult to achieve can quickly lead to disappointment. To maintain mental health, it is important that goals are realistic, measurable, and appropriate for the individual. Small but sustainable steps increase an individual's self-confidence and ensure continued motivation.

Stop comparing yourself to others

Social media and environmental pressures push individuals to compare themselves to others' lives. This can trigger feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Focusing on one's own life journey in the new year is an important step in strengthening mental resilience.

Recognise and express your feelings

Suppressed emotions can become a mental burden over time. For a fresh start, it is crucial for individuals to recognise their own emotions, accept them without judgement, and express them in healthy ways. Recognising emotions is fundamental to achieving inner balance.

Learn to set boundaries

Being unable to say no can lead to both mental and physical exhaustion. Setting personal boundaries in the new year helps individuals protect themselves and establish a healthier balance in their relationships. Healthy boundaries are an important indicator of self-respect.

Review your daily routines

Irregular sleep, poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle directly affect mental health. The new year is an opportunity for individuals to restructure their daily routines. Regular sleep, balanced nutrition and physical activity support psychological well-being.

Make time for yourself

In the midst of a busy lifestyle, individuals often put themselves last. However, spending time alone reduces mental fatigue and provides emotional renewal. Consciously setting aside time for enjoyable activities in the new year is extremely valuable for mental health.

Accept the past as it is

Negative experiences from the past can negatively affect an individual's present life when repeatedly replayed in the mind. A new beginning is not about denying the past; it is about accepting it as it is, learning from it, and moving forward. This process of acceptance contributes to the lightening of emotional burdens.

Strengthen your social relationships

Humans are social beings, and healthy relationships are an important part of mental health. Maintaining trusting, supportive relationships and reviewing toxic bonds in the new year increases an individual's psychological well-being. Quality social bonds make it easier to cope with stress.

Be kind to yourself

Making mistakes is a natural part of being human. Individuals who constantly criticise themselves experience increased levels of anxiety and stress. Developing a more understanding and compassionate attitude towards oneself in the new year lays the foundation for inner peace.

Do not hesitate to seek professional support

Mental health, just like physical health, may require professional support. If the emotional difficulties an individual experiences in the new year affect their daily life, seeking support from a professional is a powerful step. Psychological support helps individuals understand themselves better and establish a healthier relationship with life.