9 Mental Health Tips to Build a Happier, Healthier 2026

For

all the health resolutions we make for the new year, at the top is always seeking happiness. And so, while losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. Lots of research in this regard shows that simple cognitive and behavioural strategies help boost and regulate happiness and lower stress – and they are all free and easily accessible. To help bolster your mental health, you don’t need to do anything that is time-consuming, but have the intention. Mental health experts share their top tips for a happiness-centered new year.

Engage in silliness and fun

Fun is not just for kids. According to experts, engaging in silliness, fun, and just-for-pleasure activities helps lower stress and make you feel more positive. Playing is not just a physical activity but a mental health activity too. You can actively engage in playing with a dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke, or do anything else that feels like fun.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness practice requires people to maintain their focus on the present moment while they experience their current situation without any judgment about their experience. The practice requires no extensive meditation time because practicing for short periods each day will help you manage stress while enhancing your ability to focus.

Exercise and workout

Being physically active is one of the best ways to boost your mental health. Join a gym or workout outdoors – all of these are great for keeping you fit. According to experts, doing any kind of exercise is “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health. Doctors say movement supports mood and regulates the nervous system.

Stay away from screens

Anxiety levels can hit the roof when you use your phone excessively to scroll through social media and news, since this behavior can enhance negative emotions. You need to create daily rules that limit your device use and turn off all unimportant alerts, to create specific time blocks that prevent screen access during your eating time and your initial morning period. Pay attention to which applications and content materials create negative emotions in you, because you should limit or stop using them.

Take care of sleep

Sleep management is important not just for the proper functioning of your organs, but also for lowering and managing heightened stress. Not sleeping enough increases the risk of various diseases, including anxiety and depression. To have a peaceful nighttime routine, make sure to maintain a consistent bedtime, keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, and avoid social media.

Maintain a consistent dinner time

For good physical and mental health, make sure to eat less and before 7 pm. According to experts, eating light foods for dinner, which include soups, salads, and protein, will help you sleep and regulate your digestion as well.

Center a daily anchor

From work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, while the entire day may feel jam-packed, it is important to center it on a daily anchor. You can go for a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoy your coffee in the morning. Let that personal time be just yours without any distractions and use it to ground yourself and calm your nervous system.

Be socially involved

Since humans are social animals, everyone needs to have a connection. Stress is isolating and can trigger many mental health issues. Make sure to indulge in meeting friends for dinner or lunch, laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, and talk to people you love.

Seek support

If you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist.