SMART goals for mental health
Setting goals is an excellent way to help you accomplish your dreams. However, broad and undefined goals can make achieving them feel challenging. This is especially true for mental health. Using SMART goals for mental health can help you practice healthy habits in a way that allows you to track your progress and see changes over time.
For a mental health goal to be SMART, it must meet the parameters below.
Specific. Goals must be laid out in detail. For example, “go for a walk” becomes “go for a walk in the evenings,” and “create a network of friends” becomes “make three new friends.”
Measurable. Tracking goals allows you to be consistent and see a change over time. For example, take steps to drink half your body weight in ounces of water or limit social media use to a half hour per day.
Achievable. For your mental health goal to be effective, it must be something within your reach. For example, engaging in a daily self-care activity might not fit your schedule, but perhaps you can find the time once a week instead. The key is to adjust your goals to fit your lifestyle.
Relevant. Keep your mental health goals specific to you and your current circumstances. For example, practicing mindfulness, meditation or getting quality sleep may be steps you can take to keep sharp and focused.
Time-bound. Setting a time limit will help motivate you. For each goal you set, decide what time frame makes the most sense for you to reach it. Is it a daily task? Perhaps it is something you would like to complete this week, this month, this quarter or this year? Remember to keep your time frames realistic, especially for goals spanning an extended period.
Regardless of your mental health goals, remember to start small and modify as you go. If you are struggling to meet a goal, it’s probably time for an adjustment and that’s okay.
