2020 Vision: 3 Ways to Bring a New, Better You into Focus and Boost Well-Being

Published on December 13, 2019
Mountainside Canaan Aerial Shot

New York, NY – As 2020 approaches, many people are starting to think about how they can better themselves in the new year. While resolutions tend to focus on one “problem area,” Mountainside treatment center offers three tips to help people improve their overall well-being and grow into the best versions of themselves in the coming year:

  1. Expand your mind. Before anyone can reach their full potential, they first have to break free from self-limiting thoughts. People can do so by trying new activities and taking healthy risks to better understand their abilities, likes, and dislikes. When a person makes a conscious effort to try something new – whether through volunteering, traveling to an exciting destination, taking a new class, or learning a new sport – they can broaden their perspective, deepen self-awareness, promote feeling of well-being, and build confidence.
  2. Challenge your body. For many, physical health is top of mind going into the new year, but that shouldn’t just mean reaching a goal weight. It should also mean practicing healthy eating, sleeping, and lifestyle habits. Not only does getting enough sleep provide energy to carry people throughout the day but it also decreases the risk of cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. Eating nutritious foods and paying attention to the body’s internal hunger and fullness signals can similarly support physical well-being.
  3. Awaken your spirit. With hectic schedules and many demands, it is easy to feel lost and disconnected. One of the most effective ways to regain a sense of purpose and place is to spend more time in nature. Green spaces encourage connectedness with the natural world, which can prevent people from dwelling on loneliness and other negative feelings. A 2019 journal study in Frontiers revealed that spending as little as 20 minutes in nature can boost feelings of well-being and reduce levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. In other words, nature provides the perfect setting to reflect and reconnect throughout the coming year.

By following the steps outlined above, people can better develop not just one but multiple areas of their lives for a more complete sense of wellness. This is especially vital for those recovering from substance use and mental health disorders. “I’m a firm believer in the restorative power of wellness practices,” says Mountainside Wellness Coach and celebrity trainer Leandro Carvalho. “Through a combination of physical fitness, therapeutic arts, and inner reflection, I have been able to create a healthy, balanced life in my own recovery.”

To help people in recovery achieve holistic healing, Mountainside is holding a “New Year, New You” contest in December. The prize will be a package of three individualized wellness training sessions – one focusing on the mind, one for the body, and one for the spirit. The winner will be personally mentored by Carvalho, who will tailor the exercises and activities in each session to address the contest winner’s goals and needs. To enter the contest, those interested should share their goals for 2020 on Mountainside’s Instagram page: @mountainside.