Setting goals and looking after your mental wellbeing
Would you like to set some goals for this year, but feel overwhelmed simply thinking about the idea?
That’s okay. While setting goals can be fun and exciting, it’s also completely optional. 2024 was a tough year for many New Zealanders and for some of us, our only goal is making no goals at all.
If you’re motivated to set a goal or goals – such as learning something new, walking regularly, or making a certain kai/food – but want to hero your wellbeing while you do so, the Mental Health Foundation has some tips for you.
Visit the Mental Health Foundation Wellbeing Hub for practical tips for managing and uplifting your mental wellbeing in a range of situations.
Their five handy tips below offer ways to help you set goals, and look after your wellbeing at the same time. If one of your goals is also to boost your wellbeing | mīharo – that’s a double win!
Get tips on setting goals as you recover after a period of distress - to help you on your journey.
Tip One: Understand who’s in your support network
These are the people who can cheer you on, and back you up if things feel challenging. This could include your whānau, friends, or partner.
Your support network might differ depending on what your goals are. For example, if you set a goal to learn te reo Māori, you might have a friend who speaks it who can back you up.
Tip Two: Reflect on the last year
What went well for you in 2024? Which areas of your wellbeing would you like to strengthen?
You might draw inspiration from Te Whare Tapa Whā to help you reflect. This is a health model designed by Sir Mason Durie.
Achieving good wellbeing or mauri ora means each of these aspects need to be balanced in our lives. Which aspects are strong for you, and which aspects could you build on during the year?
Tip Three: Make sure you’re being realistic
Also be kind to yourself about how much you can achieve. Think about setting a maximum of three goals for the year so you can really put your energy into them. Or you could set goals in smaller chunks such as setting one goal one month, and deciding the following month whether you’d like to continue with the goal, discard it, or take on something new.
When it comes to our wellbeing, making small but sustainable changes can have the biggest impact over time.
Tip Four: Consider how one goal might help achieve another
For example, if your goals are to strengthen your taha tinana | physical wellbeing and taha whānau | whānau wellbeing, you could achieve both by going for a walk with your whānau once a week.
Combining your goals can help make the most of your time, and reduce any pressure you may feel around achieving them.
Tip Five: Remember to have fun with your goals!
If your goals are causing you stress you might not want to stick with them. Say your goal is to move your body, but you don’t like hitting the gym - you could swim in the sea, join a sports club, or find a dance class instead. Finding joy in your goals might also mean bringing in your loved ones to help you, or rewarding yourself when you hit goal milestones.
Setting goals can be exciting and give us a sense of purpose, but it’s equally as important to put our wellbeing first if we need to.
Regardless of whether you’ve decided to set a goal this year or not, know that it was the right decision for you.