Written by Daria Hodies. Published: August 30 2023
Life is
beautiful, but it can also be exhausting. Whether stress is getting
to you, or you live with a mental illness like anxiety or
depression, our bad days have an annoying habit of outweighing the
good days. It’s overwhelming trying to figure out what to do or
where to start with keeping ourselves mentally healthy. Faking it
is so much easier than actually addressing the problem. But we both
know that can only take you so far, and then you find yourself
cracking under the pressure of pretending everything is okay. And
that’s okay too.
The secret to
all of this, though, is that there actually isn’t one. All of us
are just trying to get through life, same as you. So in honor of
all of us being a hot mess express, we curated a fun but helpful
list of 10 tricks and tips that can help improve your mental health
and pick you up on a low day. Check it out!
1. Journaling
Sometimes,
whatever you’re going through can be a lot to keep to yourself. If
you’re not entirely comfortable talking about it yet, though,
journaling can help a ton. Jotting your thoughts down or keeping
track of your moods, feelings, and thoughts can also be beneficial
when you’re trying to release some of that tension that’s built up
in your mind. If you want, try Googling different prompts about
stuff to write about. You never know what may come out of a “Today
I’m Grateful For…” or a creative writing prompt!
2. Mediation
A build-up of
stress can hurt the mind, body, and soul. A little meditation can
go a long way, though! There are plenty of apps, YouTube videos,
and podcasts designed to help you quiet your mind and enter a
meditative state. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day, calming
your mind and easing your body can be so helpful. If you’re more on
the spiritual side, check out a Chakra re-aligning meditation! This
can bring balance to what’s going on internally and externally.
Don’t forget to light some candles for that perfect relaxing vibe
too!
3. Pet an Animal
It’s no
secret that petting any kind of animal brings us serious joy. But
did you know that stroking a dog or cat’s fur actually releases
serotonin? It’s been proven by doctors countless times and honestly
makes sense, because who doesn’t love some puppy or kitty
snuggles?! If you’re feeling low or in need of a serotonin
pick-me-up and have a pet nearby, spend some time with them!
Whether it’s going for a walk or snuggling on the couch, you’ll for
sure start to feel better! Trust the science… and their cute
animal faces!
4. Buy Yourself a Lil
Treat
Sometimes,
it’s just one of those days. Whether you’re sluggish, tired, or not
feeling very inspired to do anything, it can be hard to leave the
house or even get out of bed. Or maybe you’re overworking yourself
and constantly trying to stay distracted. Whatever the case is, you
deserve to treat yourself! Go to your favorite little spot and get
yourself a treat! If you want to brighten your own day even more,
trying giving back to the person in the drive thru line behind you.
Seeing their smile will make you feel as amazing as they will over
a free treat!
5. Listen To Your
Body
Sometimes
it’s incredibly difficult to know what we truly need in the moment.
Taking some time to listen to yourself and your body can help so
much, though. Maybe if you’re muscles are tense and your eyes are
puffy from crying, you need a hot shower. If you’ve been feeling
nauseous or having a stomach ache, maybe try eating a little and
drinking a healthy amount of water. If you’re over-exhausted, take
a nap. When you truly listen to your body, we promise that it will
tell you what it needs!
6. Make a Vision
Board
Walt
Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Maybe your illness is telling you something you want for yourself
is unachievable or that you’re not good enough. If you want to
fight back that nasty voice in your head, start small with making a
vision board for yourself! Add pictures of things you would like or
want to start doing. You can also add positive mantras, quotes,
colors, angel numbers, and any other little anecdotes you can think
of! If you see the things you want for yourself on a poster
everyday, chances are you’ll start taking the steps you need in
order to get there
7. Comfort
Movies/Shows
We all need a
little comfort in our life and a way to escape. Sometimes, that’s
through the magic of the movies or the comfort of our favorite TV
show. If you know today is not going to be a good day, snuggle up
on the couch with a blanket, snack, and press play on the remote.
The movies and our beloved TV show never fail to transport us to a
different world, one where we can forget about our troubles for a
little while. If you’re not sure what to watch, though, Letterboxd is
a great app to check out and rate movies before you watch them!
8. Make a Music
Playlist
Music saves
lives and has been a part of therapies, treatments, and wellness
for centuries. Music is something that speaks to our souls and
understands us at times when others do not. When words fail, music
says exactly what we are thinking and feeling. If you’re feeling
low or are looking for something to quiet the noise in your head,
making a playlist for times like those can help like no other. If
you’re in a pinch and don’t have time, apps like Spotify have tons
of playlists for you to choose from. Just search your favorite
genre, some keywords, and pop your headphones on. The music will do
the rest!
9. Phone a Friend
If you’re
feeling like you can’t be alone at the moment, please do yourself a
favor and call someone you trust to talk. Sometimes talking can
help more than you think, and having someone to bounce feelings and
ideas off of can be really helpful. If you’re worried about being
judged or don’t know what to say or who to talk to, there are
plenty of hotlines to call to just talk. Nobody has to say
anything; they are there to listen to you and only you. Remember,
you got this!
National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
Crisis Text Hotline: Text HOME to 741741
10. Write Yourself A
Letter
This one may
seem a little weird, but you gotta trust us on this one. On a good
day, sit yourself down and write a letter to yourself for when
you’re having a bad day. Tell yourself everything you know you need
to hear in that moment and things that will help you get through to
yourself. You can also write a letter to your past self and tell
them everything you wish you would have been told at that time.
Exercises like these can be cathartic and help you help yourself.
Just remember to love yourself, bestie!
We hope that
you try some of these tips and tricks out and that they work for
you! If you’re feeling anything less than amazing, please remember
you are not alone, and that we love having you here.