Six Mental Health Resolutions Worth Setting for 2026

As we prepare to wrap up 2025, many of us are facing the pressure to set new goals for the year ahead. These resolutions are meant to motivate us, but we often resist the urge to set them out of the fear of failure. With studies showing that roughly 88% of people who set New Years resolutions quit them within the first two weeks, this reluctance is understandable—but that doesn’t mean that all resolutions are bound to fail.

There is some interesting psychology behind New Years resolutions, and understanding this can help with achieving the ones we set. From the “fresh start effect” to the social connection that comes with sharing goals, there are many reasons why we still decide to set resolutions. One of the main reasons we fail them is known as false hope syndrome, which is rooted in setting goals that are unrealistic.

While the most common resolutions center around fitness and weight loss—goals that are often more difficult to follow through on—a growing number of people are setting goals related to their mental health. These goals are equally as important as those focused on physical health, but they are more likely to be successful as they often become lasting habits.

In this blog, we’ll cover a few resolution ideas that realistic, easy to incorporate into your regular routine, and designed to boost your mental health. Whether you’ve already started your list of resolutions for 2026 or aren’t sure where to begin, you won’t want to miss the following science-backed mental health resolutions worth setting for the new year:

1. Start a Journal

Journaling is a simple habit that can be done almost anywhere, making it a great resolution to include on your list for 2026. Studies show that it comes with plenty of mental-health boosting benefits, including:

• Reduced anxiety
• Boosted self-esteem
• Better awareness
• Stress management
• More organized thoughts
• Emotional release
• Improved mental clarity

The best part about journaling is that it doesn’t need to look one particular way. While physically writing thoughts down in a notebook or journal is often considered the best method, you can also type entries out on a computer or phone—at the end of the day, it’s all about what feels best and most natural for you.

What you journal about doesn’t need to follow specific rules, either. Gratitude journaling, which involves writing down a list of things you are grateful for, is a popular tactic for its many mindset-shifting and stress-reducing benefits. You can also write down a set of affirmations (short phrases that help induce feelings of confidence and positivity), or simply let your thoughts stream from your mind to the paper.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but setting a goal to journal—whether it be daily or weekly—will help you stick to this simple but effective habit.

2. Practice Mindfulness

We included mindfulness on our list of the best mental health resolutions to set for 2025, but it’s important enough that we’re including it again for 2026. If you aren’t familiar with the term, mindfulness simply refers to the act of feeling present in any given moment. It’s not a new concept—in fact, mindfulness comes from an ancient practice of increasing awareness and slowing down for the sake of fully experiencing your thoughts, sensations, feelings, and surroundings.

The longstanding history of mindfulness isn’t the only reason it’s worth including in your 2026 resolutions, though. Studies have shown a link between practicing mindfulness and measurable changes in the regions of the brain related to memory, emotion, and learning, conveying that there are real benefits to the practice.

Being more mindful is also a considerably achievable resolution, as it can be done virtually anywhere and at any time. Even during situations that might normally be tedious or annoying—such as sitting in traffic, washing the dishes, or folding laundry—can become more enjoyable when you take a moment to slow your thoughts, focus on what’s around you, and notice any positive sensations you feel in that moment. With time, simple practices like that can make you less irritable and more calm, meaning a great boost for your mental health.

3. Spend More Time in Nature

This resolution isn’t about running three miles a day or hiking your first mountain. It’s simply about spending more time—in whatever way works best for you—outdoors. Whether you opt for taking your dog to a local park, signing up for an outdoor workout class, going for a walk with a friend after work, or simply finding a quiet spot outside to finally read that book you’ve been waiting to start, you can experience a variety of mental health benefits just by doing so.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), exposure to nature has been linked to:

• Improved attention
• Lower stress
• Better mood
• Improved working memory
• Enhanced cognitive flexibility
• Increased happiness
• Decrease in mental distress
• A sense of meaning and purpose in life
• Reduced risk of psychiatric disorders

  While the best way to absorb these benefits is by physically going out into nature, the APA reports that recreating the sense of being in nature even virtually can also lead to similar effects. A simple way to incorporate this into your everyday life is by listening to nature sounds while you work, which is shown to improve focus.

4. Limit Your Scrolling Hours

While our phones keep us connected, using your phone too much—especially before bed—can lead to problems like trouble falling asleep, poor sleep quality, and even increased feelings of anxiety and depression. This is because there’s a strong correlation between your sleep and your mental wellbeing: your phone use directly affects your sleep, and your sleep impacts your mental health. Additionally, excessive social media use is linked to issues with anxiety, poor body image, low self-esteem, and feelings of social isolation.

Using your phone doesn’t have to be all bad, however, and your mental health doesn’t need to take a toll because of it. The key is in what type of content you consume on your phone, and when you consume it. Avoid habits like “doomscrolling,” or the habit of constantly scrolling online news headlines (mainly of bad news), which Harvard Health Publishing reports has numerous negative health effects. Instead, opt for using your phone to call or text loved ones, and put limits on the amount of time you spend scrolling on social media or news sites.

In particular, try to limit your phone use first thing in the morning and right before bed. If you can, keep your phone in another room before going to sleep, or at least stay off it a half hour to an hour before your intended bedtime. Looking at your phone first thing in the morning can also be bad for your mental health, so swap the scrolling for a healthy activity like stretching, journaling, or walking your dog.

5. Make Time for Friends

Need an excuse to spend more time with your friends in 2026? Turns out, it’s great for your mental health. Social connection is a powerful thing, and studies show that socializing can boost mental health by:

• Releasing mood-lifting hormones like dopamine and oxytocin
• Reducing stress by lowering cortisol
• Combating loneliness
• Providing support
• Stimulating the brain for better cognition
• Encouraging healthier habits
• Fostering a sense of belonging

These benefits ultimately lead to increased happiness, resilience, and longevity. Building strong social circles is even a core lifestyle factor of “Blue Zones,” which are specific geographic regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives.  

To set and accomplish this goal, all you need to do is reach out to friends in your life and schedule times to see them. Even speaking to a friend on the phone can lead to mental health benefits, so don’t feel constricted by distance or scheduling difficulties. If you’re looking to grow your social circle, look for events where there’s a better chance of meeting like-minded people, such as a workout class, volunteer opportunity, or book club.

6. Prioritize Self-Care

Caring for your mental health is deeply personal, and it shouldn’t be something you only do when you notice you’re struggling. Prioritizing your mental health can seem selfish, but the reality is that it’s anything but—it acts as preventative care and a way to ensure that you’re showing up as your best self every single day, both for yourself and those around you. One of the best ways to prioritize your mental health and turn it into a healthy habit for 2026 is by making a resolution to practice self-care.

Self-care doesn’t have to mean taking a bubble bath with overpriced soaps or booking yourself a fancy massage (although it can, if that’s what works best for you). It simply means taking the time, even if only a few moments of your day, to focus on yourself. Looking after yourself is essential, as you can’t expect to be there for others if you’re never there for yourself. To work on this goal, try to:

1. Plan some time for yourself to do things that you enjoy
2. Discover what makes you happy
3. Stop criticizing or being so hard on yourself

A few popular examples of ways you can practice self-care include:

• Meditating
• Going for a walk
• Making art
• Listening to your favorite music or podcast
• Exercising
• Cooking or baking a favorite dish
• Getting a massage
• Journaling
• Taking a relaxing bath
• Learning a new skill or language
• Reading
• Seeking therapy
• Cleaning your home
• Practicing deep breathing
• Doing yoga
• Spending time with a friend or loved one

It could be as simple as taking time to complete your skincare routine or as big as taking a solo trip, but self-care can be hugely beneficial for your psychological health. In fact, science shows that it can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and resilience, boost your confidence, enhance emotional regulation, and prevent burnout.

The best way to make sure you follow through with this goal is by starting small, scheduling in time for self-care, and being consistent. You can also increase the benefits of self-care is by doing your best to embrace mindfulness while doing it, allowing you to incorporate two resolutions at once.

Why is Mental Health Important?

Mental health is talked about more now than ever before, but so many of us still struggle to grasp what mental health means or what taking care of it looks like. It’s not as outwardly apparent as physical health, which can make it more difficult to spot when you’re struggling. Like physical health, however, it’s something you need to dedicate time to on your own.

While eating a healthy diet and getting a good amount of exercise can be beneficial for your mental and physical health, there are a few additional habits you can work to incorporate into your routine to boost your mental health in 2026 and beyond. We’ve listed out a few of these in this blog, but remember that the key to achieving your resolutions is customizing them to suit your lifestyle and needs—the ideas here will set you up for success, but only you can actually make it happen.

With the new year quickly approaching, remember that your mental health matters. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself, and don’t wait until you’re burnt out to finally make a change. With these mental health resolutions in mind, you can start off 2026 strong with habits that last.  

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