5 Small Mental Health Habits to Start the Year Strong

A new year is here (hello, 2025! 👋), and a new year seems as good a time as any to show your mental health some love. But let’s be real: massive resolutions can feel overwhelming. So instead, let’s focus on small, manageable habits that can make a big difference over time. Here are five ideas to get you started (that you won’t need a bunch of new gym equipment for..!):

1. Hydrate First Thing

When you wake up, drink a glass of water. Yup, very first thing. Even before you reach for your phone. Staying hydrated helps your body and mind feel their best. Tbf, drinking water & hydrating throughout the whole day is gonna be good, but we wanna set the tone for making healthy choices straight from the get go. Drinking more water helps improve brain function, so you can think more clearly, as well as improving digestion & metabolism, and helping you feel more energised. Class.

2. Journaling: One Sentence a Day

Grab a notebook (or one of our journals!) and jot down a single sentence each day. It could be something you’re grateful for, a highlight, or even how you’re feeling. Keeping it simple makes it easier to stick with; this exercise is about getting the ball rolling, and getting used to putting pen to paper. And if you can do it every day, you’ve got a way to track your progress. And then, over time, you’ve built up a powerful log of moments you can look back on when you need a lift. And if you feel like being an overachiever, write down more than just one sentence!

Side note: there’s also apps you can use for this, or even just the notes app on your phone. But there’s something special about putting pen to paper. It actually engages a different bit of your brain!

3. Move Your Body

The new year is the time when so many people are gonna commit to hitting the gym or going running. And hey, if that’s you, love it. Go for it! But it doesn’t have to be all that. (if you’re anything like I was in high school, the thought of the gym or running was an instant no dawg.)

Just stretch for five minutes or take a short walk. Moving your body, however small the movement, releases feel-good endorphins and can help clear your head. There’s heaps of research about the benefits of physical activity on your mental health. So try to get some small movement going right now. Even dancing around your kitchen to a favourite song counts!

The secret sauce is to find a type of movement that you actually enjoy. If you enjoy it, you’re way more likely to keep it up.

4. Set One Daily Intention

Each morning, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve that day. Whether it’s “be kind to myself” or “finish that one task I’ve been putting off,” having a focus can give your day direction. Writing it down can also help reinforce your intention and keep you motivated. Then, follow it up in the evening, and reflect on whether you achieved that intention, or whether it’s something you want to try again tomorrow. And make sure you celebrate your wins! Even if that’s just saving making a cuppa until you’ve ticked off your to-do’s.

5. Curate Your Social Media

Follow accounts that uplift and inspire you. Unfollow the ones that make you feel crummy. You’re in control of what you see, so make it work for you. Remember, the content you consume affects your mindset—choose positivity and encouragement whenever possible. And btw: it’s okay to just mute or even unfollow the people who are around you. You don’t have to be polite. You’ve gotta put yourself and your wellbeing first.

Takeaway: 

Small steps lead to big changes. You don’t have to change 100% overnight. It’s about changing 1% at a time. Pick just one of these habits to try this week, and see how it makes you feel. And if one doesn’t work, try another—there’s no right or wrong way to start.

If you found this helpful:

Then please pick up some of our merch with a message! It helps us continue to create content to inspire & support folks who might be struggling right now. Plus a bunch of our merch helps you manage your own mental health too. Result!