40 Ways to Care For Your Mental Health
As non-profits gear up for World Mental Health Day on October 10, now is the perfect time to consider how you can best take care of our own mental health. We all have our ups and down when it comes to our mental health, and this is often impacted by what’s going on in our lives and the world around us.
So how has your mental health been lately? Are you sailing along contentedly, or do you feel the weight of a thousand different expectations on your shoulders? Maybe you’re doing well for the most part, but you’ve sensed a shift in your mood since politics has taken over your social media? Or perhaps you feel isolated and lonely, and asking for help seems like a big step.
Wherever your mental health is at, this World Mental Health Day is your invitation to take stock of your wellbeing and have permission to care for it. This coming week, Australian charity Headspace is asking their supporters to answer the question: What puts you in a good headspace?
We’d love you to answer the same question. If you’re not sure, think about what makes you happy. When was the last time you felt most alive? And what helps you to relax and feel positive?
If you’re struggling to get started, here are 40 ways you can put yourself in a good headspace and care for your mental health.
Read a good book or watch a feel-good movie
Journal or colour in
Join a team sport
Go for a walk outside
Run or workout
Treat yourself to a delicious snack
Make a healthy (and yummy!) smoothie or juice
Go out for coffee
Take a ten minute break
Deactivate your social media
Catch up with a friend
Go to the beach
Go hiking
Turn off your phone
Try to bake something new
Try a new, healthy food
Go on a day trip
See a counsellor
Write a letter to someone and never send it
Try a new hobby
Make a new friend
Go to a wildlife park
Ask someone to help you out
Take deep breaths
Meditate
Learn something new
Listen to music
Pat an animal
Book a holiday
Take a nap
Go to bed early
Cut back on alcohol and drugs
Learn about something new
Listen to a podcast
Read blogs online
Watch funny videos
Practice Mindfulness