Top 10 Mental Health Goals

Every year the world resolves to do something in the new year. Interestingly, the top resolutions or goals usually have very little to do with our mental health. Most new year goals are related to more exercise, lose weight, save money, get organized and read more. While all of those are awesome goals that will ultimately improve the quality of life, it doesn’t get to the heart of why those things are avoided or need to be improved upon.

In this article, we are gonna talk about the best mental health goals. Truthfully, everything starts in our head (heart), am I right?

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

When we work on the heart of an issue (mental health goals), the rest of the goals will just come together with more ease. The old saying goes, “Don’t put the cart before the horse”.

Mental Health Goals

1. Self Care

Check out this excerpt from an article on “Self Care for Christians”…

Christian self care is a hot term these days. In Christian circles it can be viewed as negative or selfish. I assure you, the Bible backs up Christian self care, without using those specific words.

Our human bodies have limitations. Our capabilities are limited this side of heaven. This means, we must care for ourselves in ways the Bible recommends in order to thrive, flourish and serve effectively.

Christian self care encompasses spiritual, physical and mental health. Everything we possess is a gift from God. We must choose to be good stewards of these gifts.

I have to warn you, knowing these Christian self care tips is not enough. Doing these self care tips is what will enable you to be more effective and equipped to serve in the area to which you are called.

Are you ready to learn Christian self care tips?

2. Mental Health Goals for Anxiety

Check out this article on “3 Steps to Stop Feeling Anxious”…

Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental health struggle? More than 40 million people suffer from anxiety in the United States every year. Consequently, a lot of people are wondering how to stop feeling anxious. If you’re one of those people, I have good news – you’re in the right place!

In this article, I’m going to cover the 3 steps that will outline how to stop feeling anxious. The steps are actually not very complicated, but the work is challenging. You probably already know that .

The 3 steps that will teach you how to stop feeling anxious are based on cognitive behavioral therapy. This is just a fancy way to say that your thoughts drive emotions and your emotions drive behavior. But, this is nothing new – God’s Word has been saying the same thing for quite some time.

3. Free Guide to Overcoming Anxiety

Do you battle with anxious thoughts? Get the free guide (downloaded instantly) to jump start the battle of the mind. It’s time to set and achieve the mental health goal of overcoming anxiety. Imagine a day without constant worry and overthinking. No more distracting thoughts that feel out of control. This could be the…Best. Year. Ever!

4. More Forgiveness

Check out this excerpt from the article on “7 Scriptures on Forgiveness”...

Forgiveness isn’t complicated but it is difficult. In this article, we tackle the tough topics with Scriptures on forgiveness when forgiving is hard. This topic comes up all the time in counseling. Simply put – Sin plagues the world we live in, therefore forgiveness is a crucial skill set.

Forgive is a verb, and action. Dare I say, a choice. The dictionary defines it as “canceling a debt”. Debt cancellation is exactly what we received through Christ. We were released from the punishment of our sin. As a result, we are called to release others from their debt as well.

Often times our perspective of forgiveness leads us to stand our ground. We stubbornly fold our arms in adamant refusal. We demand our rights. Narrowing our focus to the offense keeps us from seeing the bigger picture in forgiveness. God does not call His people to anything that doesn’t ultimately get worked for our good (Romans 8:28), including forgiveness.

Forgiveness is for the offender and the offended. Nothing in God’s economy is wasted. When rightly faced, hurt drives us deeper into God’s loving arms. In His loving arms, we find comfort and healing.

5. Get Rid of Resentment & Bitterness

Check out the excerpt from this article, “How to Let Go of Bitterness & Resentment”.

Searching the topic of resentment and grudges likely means you’re familiar with disappointment, deep pain or even betrayal. I’m so sorry that you are faced with the heavy lifting of healing. It’s hard and it’s not fair. However, the only thing worse than doing the heavy lifting of healing is to do nothing at all.

Since you are looking up how to let go of resentment and grudges, you want something better for your heart. Only the most courageous dare to heal from disappointment or betrayal. Unraveling emotions, self protection and the complexities of a broken heart is not for the weak. However, it is a journey that will change you from shackled to free.

In this article, you will learn about how resentment takes root. We will outline the cost of settling into a place of bitterness and resentment. Additionally, refusing to let go of resentment and grudges will impact your relationships. Finally, we will cover how to let go of resentment and grudges in actionable ways.

6. Free Guide to Forgiving & Healing

It’s time to get started with the mental health goal of forgiveness. Forgiveness is just the jumping off point. We will still have to do the work of healing from the pain caused by another. It’s messy, but worth the work. Healing is yours for the taking- it requires nothing from the person who hurt you. This is between you and God. Get the journaling guide to get you started!

7. Control Your Thought Life

EVERYTHING starts in the mind! Our thoughts are the foundation that every facet of our lives flows from.

Does taking every thought captive seem like a bit of a mystery to you? There was a time it seemed like an out of reach dream to me. Like you, I longed for a break from thoughts that caused so much trouble in my mind. I would read articles on “taking thoughts captive” and would finish feeling inspired, but without any actionable steps. Feelings of discouragement would follow.

Who actually needs to learn how to take every thought captive? Everyone! We all have thought patterns that need to be improved. Things pop into our heads every day that can cause problems in our mind and relationships. Surprisingly, the same general formula for taking thoughts captive, relates to all kinds of thought patterns that cause problems.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Get the free e-course (4 emails) with actionable steps to taking thoughts captive!

8. Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is the BEST mental health goal you can do for yourself…

Is your glass typically half full or half empty? The answer makes a difference. The answer will change your life. God’s Word points to the importance of gratitude in life…

… give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Being grateful means deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received. Can you think of the last time you felt deeply appreciative? Do you ever stop and reflect on your blessings?

9. Be More Present

Check out this article excerpt on “How to Live in the Moment”.

Teaching other people strategies to learn how to live in the moment is an easy task. Actually choosing to live in the moment is much harder. In fact, I have a propensity to race around like a chicken with my head cut off. I often over-commit myself.

Do you ever do that?

Whether it’s at school, sports or church functions, I see the gaps and barrel forward to pitch in. I say yes, Yes, YES. Before I know it the calendar is overloaded and I am overwhelmed. Instead of living in the moment, I’m barely surviving.

So I do the next logical thing (or so I think) and set the alarm earlier, stay up later and double up tasks. I wear my productivity like a badge of honor. Thinking proudly, look how much I’ve done today as if it somehow increases my value.

Usually, I continue this neck breaking pace until my joy slips out the back door without me noticing. I grow impatient and snappy with the people I love.

I promise myself… next week will be different, but it isn’t.

Do you make those same promises?

Go here to read the rest of the article!

10. Seek Counseling/Coaching

Consider getting a professional counselor or coach to jumpstart personal growth or dive deeper into the heart to meet that mental health goal. A person who is trained to take deeper dives into our heart and mind is invaluable. This opens the door to see things that might have been in your blind spots. Or maybe you already know the areas that a little extra help is needed. A counselor or coach will be able to give you direction on where and how to get started.

Hi There, I’m Sunshyne, a Licensed Christian Therapist in Southern California and a Life Coach. I teach people new patterns of living and relating that line up with God’s Word and His purpose for their life. I have 16 years of experience doing Cognitive Therapy and applying Biblical Counsel to real life. 

I’m passionate about what I do because I’ve been there…

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression or a challenging relationship, there are strategies to help you achieve a more fulfilling life and more meaningful relationships.

Get more information on Counseling & Coaching here.

Wrapping Up Mental Health Goals

My prayer for you is to begin thinking about some personalized mental health goals for yourself! This is not an exhaustive list of mental health goals, but it should get you started. Leave your ideas in the comments section for the benefit of others!