Balancing Your Mental Health and Looking Towards The Future - 2025 Goals & Plans

What do we mean when we say becoming, “Mentally Healthy”?

According to the Mental Health Association it means –

Mental Health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well. Also, being able to offer positive contributions to their surrounding communities.

Well, that is a powerful statement isn’t it!

So, how do we get there, and more importantly, how do we stay there.

Do you think life always has a perfect balance? That answer is a firm NO! Life is not always balanced, and we are faced with many situations, stresses and unknowns all the time.

Now, let’s go back to the original question. How do we maintain our mental health?

OK, so we know life gives us twists and turns all the time, and to be able to maneuver through each obstacle may prove challenging, but if we can work on remaining being grounded, we will make it.

The first steps to become mentally strong is to look at our strengths and weaknesses. YES, I said it out loud “weakness”, because we all have them. Listen, nobody likes to look at their weakness’s (myself included), but it is a must to find true balance.

Once you can establish what your strengths and weaknesses are, you can move forward putting a game plan together.

Think about what your struggles are during a stressful situation, and look to find solutions that you can connect with. It is there that you can find your grounding.

You may want to take a walk for a few moments, or sit quietly to bring yourself back down to a calming level. We all have different things that help us, so tap into your tool box for support.

It is so important to learn about yourself. The more that you understand and know, will help give you the fuel that you need to get you where you need to be. You need to know what your triggers are, and how you react to them. Sometimes these unknown thoughts and feelings can put you over the edge. Again, if you take the time to do the self-work, your tool box will become filled with many options to choose from in times of need.

I know for myself; I love change of scenery. When I start to feel like I am riding that emotional roller-coaster, I tell myself it is time to get off the “crazy train”. I do actually talk to myself. I believe it is very healthy to be our own “Cheerleaders”!

As soon as I can break away from what I am doing, I go for a walk. I get outside in the fresh air and take in my surroundings. I am a very visual person, so I like to look around to see the sights, and be in the moment. When I do this, I am shifting gears inside my mind giving myself a brain break. This is so important for all of us to do. We all need that break!

There are many ways to switch gears, you just have to find out what works best for you. Here are some examples:

Writing

Reading

Listening to Music

Exercise/Walking

Meditating/Sitting in Silence

Reaching out to a family member or friend for a brief conversation

Take a quick ride in the car and blast your favorite music

These are just a few to mention, but there are many more. Again, YOU have to figure out what works for you.

Also, becoming mentally healthy may mean change in habits. You may want to add more water consumption throughout the day. It can make you feel cleansed and lighter.

Working on a healthier lifestyle with food, alcohol, tobacco, etc. can be another way to find yourself feeling more balanced.

I believe what is hard for many, many people out there is to turn it all off, and find time to rest and sleep. Let’s face it we are a highly connected generation to social media, news, drama and work. Our minds are on over drive 24/7. To shut it all out for a bit, feels very foreign and abnormal. Think about disconnecting for a little while as one of your tools for self-care.

I know for myself included, I have a very hard time putting the phone down and saying to myself, “let it go until tomorrow”. I feel like if I put my phone away, I might be missing something important. Think about that - What am I missing at 10 pm at night - absolutely nothing! It is a mindset that needs to be switched to achieve what may feel impossible - PUTTING DOWN THE PHONE - for mental health.

This is something I am personally working on as a goal for 2025.

I cannot stress enough that our BRAINS need a rest from everything. The Daily Overload.

Allow yourself the gift of calm and quiet time. Read a book, watch a favorite show, or just listen to some soothing music. It is amazing how relaxed you can feel. Some people find comfort in prayer or meditation to end their day, and if that is something that appeals to you, then add it to your nightly routine.

The other night my husband and I did just that. We sat in the living room, no tv, just listening to music and it was wonderful. At one point I felt like I was sinking into the chair, actually feeling my body destress. It was an amazing feeling. When I went to bed that night, I felt calm and relaxed! I had a wonderful night sleep. We all need more of that.

It is those gifts that we need to be offering to ourselves as often as possible. We must work on self-care and do the work to make it happen. Take the steps to commit to the cause - YOUR self-care.

Also, work on having a positive mindset. Taking your negatives and turn them into positives. This is a practiced skill, but one that is quite effective as you move forward in your days ahead. Again, every day is not going to be a great day, but if you approach your situations is a positive fashion, you would be amazed on how you can overcome many stressful experiences. When you have a strong and positive mindset, you gain clarity!

Let’s make 2025 the year of big changes. It all starts out with a game plan and a strong mindset to make it happen. Make 2025 your year to become mentally healthy and strong. If you can make that commitment to yourself, life will become lighter and you will crave that time, “just for you”.

MY INTENTIONS FOR 2025

I have a list, and I intend to make it all happen, one by one. I have already accomplished many things, including becoming a published author and public speaker. I visualized myself already being there and then I put in the work! In the future I see myself in a documentary about my life as I talk about the struggles of being and abused child that was silenced, and how I overcame it all. I see a movie in the works, and my children's series being published. I will also continue my work as an advocate for children and mental health, as I raise my voice for awareness and change. On a personal note, I want to travel and enjoy seeing our country! So many beautiful destinations out there. (I have a bucket list) I want to live more in the moment and feeling it all. Seeing my family connect and grow is very important to me. We need to remain close, as family is always a high priority on my list. Also, as I mentioned before, putting that phone down, and work on staying mentally healthy! Watch out 2025 here I come!

I say - - Just Do it!!

Food for thought.

Embrace the Journey,

God Bless

Lisa Zarcone

Woman of Impact 2023 - I am a voice

Social Media Influencer – Author – Public Speaker

Child & Mental Health Advocate – Blogger

MA National Ambassador for Naasca (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)

My motto for this year is “STEP UP FOR MENTAL HEALTH” -- Focus on your goals and achieve them one at a time - Include yourself in that journey!

My past mottos - Embrace the Journey & Eye on the Prize

“Optimism inspires, energizes, and brings out our best. It points the mind toward possibilities and helps us think creatively past problems.” – Price Pritchett

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” Lou Holtz

Freedom means the power to act by soul guidance, not by the compulsions of desires and habits. Obeying the ego leads to bondage; obeying the soul brings liberation.

Paramahansa Yogananda