Bucket list and mental-wellbeing?

Why having a bucket list is important? By Fatima Nasir

How having a bucket list helps improve your mood

Ever thought of writing your own bucket list… for your mental health?

The act of creating a bucket list takes us out of our comfort zones and throws us into a realm of possibilities and questions.

Bucket lists are helpful in that they’re a way of listening to your inner wisdom.

One study found that participants who wrote down their goals accomplished significantly more than those who did not. Other positive psychology research suggests that accomplishing goals that connect us to something larger than ourselves.

A bucket list of experiences or places to visit can keep hopes and dreams front of mind amid daily routines. Bucket list items may change throughout life. People in their 20s may yearn to embark on a rigorous hiking trip or travel abroad, while someone in their 70s or 80s may want to spend valuable time with grandchildren.

You're never too old or never too young to start a bucket list.

Some benefits of having a bucket list include:

Writing down goals helps you to be successful – Writing down your goals increases your chance of achieving them because you have committed yourself on paper to being in the game. Also, having your goals on paper helps clarify what you want and motivate you to act.

You feel a great sense of accomplishment – What a great feeling to cross off goals on your list! Your life satisfaction improves because you are achieving what you want in life. You can also add to your bucket list things that you have already accomplished to see how many great things you have done in your life already, giving you a head start on the gratification meter.

I have tried and tested this, you may too!

Try it for yourself and see how it improves your mental well-being, your life, and your mood!

Fatima Nasir

What should I even put on my bucket list?

One study identified six primary themes typically seen in bucket lists: the desire to travel, the desire to accomplish a personal goal, the desire to achieve specific life milestones, the desire to spend quality time with friends and family, the desire to achieve financial stability, and the desire to do a daring activity.

Some examples:

Travel – Travel to Spain before 30, Fly first class, Go on a safari in Africa, Travel solo

Personal goals – Be self-employed, Learn a new language, Begin meditating

Achieve specific life milestones – Graduate from college, Get a job, Buy my own car, Get married

Spend quality time with friends and family – Spend the holidays with my family, Join a sports team with friends, Take a family vacation, Start a monthly book club with friends

Achieve financial stability – Start a budget, Pay off debt or student loan, Save money for emergency fund, Donate to charity

Daring activities – Skydive, Climb a mountain, Swim with sharks, Fly in a seaplane or helicopter

Bucket lists may be 10 or 100 items long and consist of a range of different categories. The examples listed above might help you discover which category is most or least important to you.

It’s also important to hand-write your bucket list opposed to typing it or not solidifying it at all.

The act of writing your goal on paper makes the goal more likely to transpire. So, take out your favorite pen and start writing your bucket list today!