View as Webpage

New Year, New Me

January is often seen as a time to turn inward and identify what changes we want to make for ourselves in the year ahead. This can be starting a new habit or leaving one behind. Often, we find that some goals we set as New Years Resolutions are not practical or sustainable over time. This can result in feelings of frustration or self-doubt. However, using SMART goal strategies will help ensure your resolutions for 2024 are achievable and set you up for success!

Setting Meaningful Intentions for a Wellness-Focused Year

Discover valuable insights on kickstarting the year with fresh wellness goals in our featured article How to Use SMART Goals for your Mental Health and Wellness. We believe in the power of positive change and encourage you to embark on a journey that prioritizes your own mental well-being.

How to Use SMART Goals for the New Year!

Now that some common pitfalls of New Year’s Intentions have been shared, it is important think about how to identify effective goals that will serve us and our well-being in 2024.

Remember that our physical health is linked to our mental health, so be sure to set goals that focus on both areas.

Whatever you determine to be important for you to focus on in 2024, be sure you are utilizing SMART strategies to achieve your goals: 

• Specific: include as many details as possible into your goals. 
• Measurable: being able to track your progress is an important ingredient for success! 
• Attainable: make sure your goal is something you will be able to achieve. 
• Relevant: your goal should align with the values in your life you believe are important. 
• Time-bound: give yourself a deadline to achieve your goal to keep you motivated. 

Wellness Within

What do we mean when we say wellness, anyway? The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health¹.

Wellness incorporates many different aspects of a person, such as their physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological health. Of course, wellness can look and feel very different from one person to the next. That is why it is important to identify and understand what your wellness means to you.

Wellness Practice for January: Take 5-10 minutes and find a quiet, cozy space. You can participate in this practice in silence or turn on relaxing music in the background.

Ask yourself “what does wellness look and feel like to me?” Sit with that question and see what emerges. Feel free to write anything down that comes to mind so you can come back to it throughout the year.

Once you have a better understanding of what wellness means to you, ask yourself “what can I do to get there?”

This practice will help you identify areas you might want to work on, and places where you are already honoring your wellness. We look forward to embarking on this journey of wellness with you!

Upcoming Events Preview

Here are a few of the no cost public mental health and wellness events taking place in Orange County.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

OCAPICA Aroma and Mental Wellness Event

at the Korean American Center

20 Truman St., Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92620

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Queer Youth Art Collective

at the LGBTQ Center OC

1605 N Spurgeon Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Empower Youth: Navigating Mental Wellness Together

at the Ehlers Event Center, Veterans Hall

8150 Knott Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620

Monday, January 22, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Warner Wellness Center Health Habits for the New Year Wellness Fair

at 9802 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804

Join us to learn new habits to improve your mental health in the new year! Music Performances Arts & Crafts Health Education.

Interested in wellness events happening in Orange County? Be sure to visit the ‘Upcoming Events’ section on our website!   

Stay Connected

As always, events are open to all OC community members. We can’t wait to see you there! To make sure you stay up to date on events in the area, be sure to check out our website.

Follow us on our social media!

 Contact Us!

Do you have questions about this initiative and its content? Please reach out to the CARS team at OCMH@cars-rp.org  with any questions.