With less than a week left in 2024, many are coming up with goals for the new year.Most of the time, people try to be more active and physically healthier.However, experts also suggest focusing on mental health as part of a New Year's resolution. WESH 2 met a group of Orlando residents gathered at Lake Eola Park. The four friends reconnected after a busy college semester and took time to set goals for 2025. "It's important to prioritize your self-care because we have to take care of our mental health in high-stress situations or anything that we may be going through in life. It's important to decompress and kind of step away from what is going on for our sanity," said Joy McMillan, an Orlando resident.McMillan said faith and journaling help her focus on her mental health."Just relax, do what kind of puts you at ease so you can rejuvenate and come back stronger," she added.Therapists say there are several ways to make mental health a priority in the new year."Recommitting to a good sleeping regimen, really good healthy distractions, getting back to good eating habits, getting back to good connections, connecting with people who treat us well, who respect our boundaries," said licensed family therapist Cherlette McCullough.McCullough said she understands the hardest part is getting started. For those struggling to find motivation and encouragement, she said start small. "What are those things that really cause your cortisol levels, your stress levels to go down, and that feeling of happiness and joy? So, starting right there with that, and remembering that when you set these goals, they don't have to be these elaborate goals, these major things," McCullough said.McCullough also said to set realistic expectations for yourself, celebrate every achievement no matter how big or small, and remember to be kind to yourself and others.
With less than a week left in 2024, many are coming up with goals for the new year.
Most of the time, people try to be more active and physically healthier.
However, experts also suggest focusing on mental health as part of a New Year's resolution.
WESH 2 met a group of Orlando residents gathered at Lake Eola Park. The four friends reconnected after a busy college semester and took time to set goals for 2025.
"It's important to prioritize your self-care because we have to take care of our mental health in high-stress situations or anything that we may be going through in life. It's important to decompress and kind of step away from what is going on for our sanity," said Joy McMillan, an Orlando resident.
McMillan said faith and journaling help her focus on her mental health.
"Just relax, do what kind of puts you at ease so you can rejuvenate and come back stronger," she added.
Therapists say there are several ways to make mental health a priority in the new year.
"Recommitting to a good sleeping regimen, really good healthy distractions, getting back to good eating habits, getting back to good connections, connecting with people who treat us well, who respect our boundaries," said licensed family therapist Cherlette McCullough.
McCullough said she understands the hardest part is getting started. For those struggling to find motivation and encouragement, she said start small.
"What are those things that really cause your cortisol levels, your stress levels to go down, and that feeling of happiness and joy? So, starting right there with that, and remembering that when you set these goals, they don't have to be these elaborate goals, these major things," McCullough said.
McCullough also said to set realistic expectations for yourself, celebrate every achievement no matter how big or small, and remember to be kind to yourself and others.