Assessing your mental well-being in 2025 – 8 a.m.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As we step into the new year, a local health organization is encouraging individuals to prioritize their mental health.
Mental health professionals with the Community Health Network suggest in addition to setting New Year’s resolutions surrounding physical fitness, consider picking up a resolution about mental fitness.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Kimble Richardson at Community Fairbanks Behavior Health says when coming up with resolutions, it’s important to ask yourself three questions:
- Is it relevant?
- Is the goal something you personally can control?
- Is it realistic?
- Is the timeframe you want to accomplish something realistic?
- Is it specific?
- Is the goal something that can be measured?
Richardson further recommends that the final stage of any effective resolution involves verifying whether it has been achieved.
"Whenever you achieve a goal, it's important to celebrate, isn't it? Reward yourself in some way," Richardson advised. "If you don't succeed, consider whether the goal was relevant, realistic, or specific enough. You might want to give it another shot, or perhaps it no longer holds significance. The key is to recognize that you have options and to remain adaptable."
The counselor suggests that effective mental health resolutions could include objectives such as enhancing one’s mindset, practicing mindfulness, or reducing self-comparison.
Richardson emphasizes that, above everything, goals should be adaptable.
“I believe flexibility is crucial,” Richardson remarked. “We should move away from a fixed mindset that views things as negative or pessimistic — let’s leave that in 2024, shall we?”
The health organization recommends another method for monitoring mental well-being by identifying “glimmers.”
As per Jennie Voelker, a licensed clinical social worker, glimmers serve as the counterpoint to triggers. These are those small, fleeting instances in life that can evoke feelings of happiness or tranquility.
She mentions that they vary from person to person.
“This morning, my first taste of coffee was simply delightful,” Voelker shared. “For many, these moments connect us to the natural world. It might be witnessing a sunrise or sunset, inhaling the scent of lavender, or basking in the sun’s warmth. For others, it could be the joyful sound of their child's laughter or even a warm smile from a passerby.”
In order to notice more glimmers, one might need to adjust their perspective and become more receptive to recognizing them.
Voelker suggests that while glimmers may not completely remove stress from a person's life, they could serve as a positive step forward as we enter this new year.
“They essentially help to calm and stabilize our nervous system,” Voelker explained. “When we practice this repeatedly, it accumulates, leading us to make improved decisions. We become better at managing our emotions, and there are numerous additional health and mental health advantages as well.”
She suggests keeping a journal of glimmers or simply discussing them with someone to enhance their recognition.
