10 Tips and Tricks To Help Improve Your Mental Health!

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!

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.