3 Ways to Build Mental Well-Being in 2021

Make a resolution to look after your mental health this year.

Nishtha Chaudhary
Two Minute Madness
2 min readJan 6, 2021

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Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

We collectively breathed a sigh of relief as 2020 ended.

Even though things haven’t gone back to normal yet, there is still a sense of satisfaction in leaving 2020 behind. The last year was rough, but one thing I learned from it was the importance of prioritizing my mental health. We all could use some peace of mind right now.

What’s the first rule of 2021? Yes, never talk about 2020. But, the second and most important rule is practicing mental well-being.

Social Media Detox.

I love the internet since it has memes. While social media can be fun and entertaining, it can still be toxic. Most of us have been the victim of mindless scrolling, and it’s about time we cut down our screen time. A study has shown that social media increases symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adults.

Excessive use of social media has a direct impact on your mental well-being. You end up being awake at 2 AM, asking yourself: Why haven’t I figured out things in life? Will I ever make it in life? They engineer it to be as habit-forming as crack cocaine. It makes you feel lonely, lost and messes with your head.

Keep your sanity intact. Draw, read, write, or watch your favorite show, but do a social media cleanse.

Slow down.

You don’t need to achieve everything in a single day. Yes, time is precious, but so is your mental health. I have realized that giving your emotions the attention they need is an essential step to healthy functioning. Piling up emotions will eventually take its toll on your mind and body.

Hustling may sound cool, but it can be extremely exhausting. I keep reading quotes like: I’ve got a dream that’s worth my sleep, or good things happen to those who hustle. What’s the point of all the hustling if your mind and body will ultimately stop performing?

This year give yourself a break and practice a healthy work-life balance for a happier mind and a healthier body.

Set Healthy Boundaries.

Healthy boundaries play a crucial role in your emotional and mental stability. Some people find it difficult to say “no,” but it is essential to learn how to. Yes, you need to protect friendships and relationships. But what’s more necessary is to make them understand what to expect from you.

Setting personal and professional boundaries should be a significant part of your self-care routine. Having honest conversations and being vocal about what you want from your friends and family is a way of setting a healthy boundary.

So do yourself a favor and start saying no to people and yes to your emotional needs.

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Nishtha Chaudhary
Two Minute Madness

An INFP at heart, I identify as a Ravenclaw who loves reading books and sharing weird facts with people.