31 Ways You Can Take Care of Your Mental Health

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Take a moment and breathe. Close your eyes and think about the last time you put yourself first. Think about the last time you spent an entire day focusing on yourself and nothing else. Think about the last time you were stress and worry free. Got that moment in your minds eye? If so, I want you to hold onto that moment and think about how you felt. How do you feel now that you are reflecting back on that moment?

If you feel relieved, less stress, and at peace with that moment chances are you really were putting yourself first. That’s a good feeling to have and I encourage you all to embrace it more often. When we put ourselves first we are actually taking the time to focus on our overall health. This includes our physical, emotional, and mental health. Mental health is on the rise and honestly, it’s one of the biggest parts of our health that we are taking for granted.

Mental health has a negative stigma attached to it but it doesn’t have to. Yes, it is true that often times mental health refers to a mental illness of some sort. However, I’m here to tell you different. It’s important to acknowledge that mental illness is a part of one’s mental health, but it is also important to understand that mental health is not solely about mental illness. Mental health as a collective is the psychological well-being of an individual. This includes one’s psychological state in regards to emotions and behaviors.

So when you think back about the moment when you put yourself first, understand that you were not just putting yourself first but you were putting your mental health first. When we put our mental health first, or at least take the time to take care of our mental health, we are checking in with ourselves. When we check in with ourselves we are evaluating our current state of emotional, psychological, and behavioral presence, and resetting these three states to prepare for the next moment that is to come.

This of course is easier said than done. In fact, to make a habit out of taking care of your mental health you have to actively practice taking care of your mental health. That’s where I come in. These past two years I have been on a personal journey of self-discovery and developing a better understanding my psychological and emotional state of being. As a result of that I have learned and adopted many different practices to consistently check in with my psychological, emotional, and behavioral presence, and how to appropriately reset these three states for the next moment in my life.

Here are 31 ways you can learn how to consistently put yourself and your mental health first.

1. Mediate for 5 minutes

Meditation is perhaps one of the easiest and somehow the hardest things to do. In order to mediate correctly you have to block out the world around you and focus only on yourself. Feel your heartbeat against your chest, discover the rhythm of your breathing throughout your body, and listen to what your mind and body are telling you that they need. Then proceed to fulfilling those needs. Mindful meditation is an effective practice for caring for your mental health.

2. Write down positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are positive thoughts that we allow ourselves to have about ourselves. These thoughts help us foster a positive belief that having a positive mental state of being will help us in achieving success in anything we set out to do. One way to keep track of all your positive affirmations is by writing them all down in a journal. That way you can revisit them whenever you feel inspired to and constantly remind yourself of all the beautiful things you are seeking in this life. If you need a little inspiration this 52 Lists for Happiness Journal is the perfect way to start implementing positivity, balance, and joy in your life.

3. Create a list of effective coping mechanisms

Having a list of coping mechanisms that are able to help you reset in a healthy state of mind is one of the most effective tools you can have in your back pocket. Coping mechanisms can be anything from listening to music to going for a 10-minute jog. All a coping mechanism is, is a tool that you can easily access to help put you in a healthy state of mind when you feel upset, overwhelmed, or stress.

Examples of coping mechanisms:

• Going for a jog
• Listening to music
• Deep breathing
• Counting up to 10 and down from 10

4. Intentionally schedule in “me time” for at least one day out of the week

It is very important that you don’t take yourself for granted. I know it can be hard to make sure that you are setting necessary time aside for yourself, but it’s so important that you do. Even if it is just for 5 five minutes, everyone needs to allow themselves to have a day where they attend to all the needs of themselves. This can be anything from getting a manicure, to buying yourself a new pair of jeans, or even just staying in bed all day. If you struggle with scheduling in some much needed me time throughout the week The Get Shit Done Bundle will help you in making this happen.

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5. Get active

Get up and get moving. The best part about getting active is that there are not rules. All you have to do is find something that is fun and you enjoy doing, and simply participate in it. This can be anything from taking a pottery class to walking your dog. Whatever your poison, just aim to be active.

6. Eat clean

The way we feel and think will always be a reflection of what we are feeding our bodies. It’s hard to engage in clean eating let alone commit to it, especially if it’s not something you do regularly. However, part of taking care of our mental health is eliminating junk food and replacing it with foods that are going to give our brains power. You don’t have to make a habit of this if it’s not something you’re into but committing to do it for at least a day will work wonders for your mental health.

7. Reach out to someone you have not made contact with in a while

It’s important to keep in contact with people that we value in our life. Even the ones we have not spoken to in a while. If you have been thinking about someone a lot lately, or you haven’t spoken to a really good friend or close family member in a while, make the first move by simply reaching out to them. Send a text or engage in a quick phone call with them where you check in with how they are doing. Sometimes not focusing on yourself is the best way to care for your mental health.

8. Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help especially when you really need it. When we allow ourselves to reach out to others for help we are encouraging ourselves to not feel obligated to always be in control. This can help lower our stress levels and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Plus, people love to feel needed, and when people feel needed they will always be eager to help out. So take a load off and seek help when needed.

9. Take a break

Seriously just take a moment for yourself. Step away from all of your responsibilities for just a few minutes and simply enjoy the sweet wonders of the world

10. Have fun

Life is all about having fun and when you spend more time avoiding the fun moments in life you really are missing out. A great way to look after your mental health is to not always let your brain doing the work. Give it break and let your heart take control. Get out and do something fun that requires little to no work. Your mind and your heart will thank you for it.

11. Journal your gratitude

Journaling is a great way to let all your private thoughts and emotions out. The best part about journaling is that you can say the things that you want to say and not fear receiving any judgement from anyone about it. However, don’t journal about all the things that are constantly on your mind and you can’t seem to find a safe place to keep them. Be sure to use your journal to vent your frustrations and remind yourself of all the things in life you are grateful for.

12. Rest up

Be sure to get your beauty sleep. When we go long periods of time with little to no sleep, our minds begin to function incorrectly. This can lead to us having hallucinations, not being able to think with a clear head, and even put us at risk to having more headaches and migraines throughout the day. The best way to avoid things like this is to ensure that we are getting enough sleep every night. So sleep tight little love bug, you deserve it.

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13. Try something new

Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Maybe it’s a food you’ve never had before or an activity you’ve always wanted to do but never had the courage to actually do it. Whatever it may be just get out of your way and try something new.

14. Smile for no reason

A smile can and will go a long way. Smiling sends positive signals to our brain and tricks us into being happy. Even on your worst days, if you just take a minute to simply smile I promise you your wrong will be turning upside down in no time, and before you know it your day will start to get better.

15. Spa day

 

Treat yourself to a self-care day in which you pamper yourself from head to toe. You can do this with a group of your best girl or gal pals (it’s ok to spoil yourself too men!), or you can do this all alone in your home sweet home. However you choose to do it, just do it. This Ultrasonic Diffuser with your choice of an essential oil is sure to help you reset mentally, physically, and emotionally.

16. Furry buddies

A little bit of furry love never hurt nobody (unless you are allergic). I’ve always believed that animals are natural healers. They know when something is wrong and somehow, they always manage to turn a sour mood into a sweet one. Having a furry buddy around can help in relieving stress and increasing levels of happiness. They are the perfect distraction from any negative mood.

17. Practice mindfulness

Turn in with your inner thoughts and emotions. Understand how your mind and heart are processing everything that is happening around you. Find the root of all your negative energy and turn that negative power into positive power. Take a moment to just be more mindful of your presence in this world and appreciate everything that you have to offer it. Even when it doesn’t seem like it’s enough, I promise you it’s more than enough.

18. Write thank you notes to the people in your life you appreciate

Let the important people in your life know that you appreciate their presence. Set some time aside to write thank you notes to your close friends and family members. People like to know that they are valued and appreciated. So show and spread the love.

19. No technology

We all can benefit from a day with no technology. Commit to a day where you do not use the computer, internet, or even your cell phone. If you can’t make it a full day, shoot for at least an hour. The overall goal here is to spend some time away from social media and connect with people who are right in front of you. Making positive connections in person is good for the mind, body, and soul.

20. Spend time with your friends and family

Enjoy them while you have them. If they love you at your worst chances are they will love you at your best. In addition to taking a break from technology spend more time with your family and friends. Give them your undivided attention and ask for the same in return.

21. Enjoy mother nature

Go for a hike, a nice walk, or sit in a quiet park and read your favorite book. Take the dog outside and play with them, go for a nice swim in the nearby lake, so simply lay in the grass and daydream about achieving your daydream. Enjoy mother nature, she’s worth it.

22. Soak up the sun

Let the sunshine be your friend. Whenever you hit a brain block and can’t seem to get past a thought or emotion, take some time to sit in the sun. Feeling the heat upon your skin can help in distracting you from what is on your mind to focusing on what is happening in the here and now.

23. Read a good book

Nothing says taking care of your mental health better than letting yourself get lost in a good book. You can do this by yourself or make it more enjoyable (if you’re not big on reading) by reading a book with your little one. Either way it’s worth your mental health to indulge in a little bit of reading every day. It’s a very healthy skill to be able to actively let your imagination take you to a place of wonder and curiosity. You never know what kind of truths or understandings you may discover in doing so.

24. Talk about your feelings with someone

While journals are a great way to get your thoughts and emotions out, people work just as well too. Find someone who you trust and are comfortable with and vent to them how you are feeling in that moment. Happy, sad, upset, frustrated, elated, content, whatever it may be let it be known. Then share with them the reasoning behind these feelings.

25. Clean out your closet

Nothing says clearing your mind like cleaning out your closet. A good exercise to engage in to assist in taking care of your mental health is simply cleaning out your closet. Go through your closet and get rid of anything that you don’t wear, no longer want, or doesn’t even belong to you. Giving your mind something else to focus on other than yourself will always serve you as a useful tool in taking care of your mental health.

26. Make care packages for your love ones

Put together sweet little care packages for your love ones. This lets them know that you appreciate them and that you are thinking of them. It will also reinforce feelings of love, strength, and empowerment within yourself.

27. List the good things in your life

Life is not easy and it’s not always meant to be. However, you have to find the little moments that make life great and hold onto them. Making a list of all the good things in your life will not only humble you, but it will also encourage you to seek out more moments to fill with happiness and love.

28. Get creative

Do you like art? If so find a way to be creative. This can be anything from coloring, to painting, to creating out of this world baking creations. Here’s my favorite YouTube channel to watch when I feel inspired to seek out creativity. Rosanna Pansino is great in lifting up the spirits of others! Do you like cinnamon cookies? If so check out this Nerdy Nummies video!

29. Go see a movie by yourself

I know a lot of people who fear going to the movies by themselves, but I also know a lot of people who enjoy it. I for one do enjoy to see a movie with company, but I also really enjoy going to the movies by myself. When you see a movie by yourself there are no strings attached. You are able to get whatever snacks you want, sit where you would like in the theatre, and most importantly see whatever movie you want! Talk about some quality me time.

30. Engage in a breathing exercise

Deep breathing is always a good skill to have in your back pocket. We all experience moments where we need to take a step back, take in a deep breath and recollect ourselves. Here is a great breathing exercise that will help you re-center yourself in 5 minutes or less!

31. Check in with yourself

Perhaps the most important thing anyone can do for themselves, check in with yourself. How are you feeling? What was your day like? What was your high of the day? What was your low? Checking in with yourself will allow you to constantly be connected with yourself. When you are connected with yourself you will be able to see the things that are having a positive or negative impact on your mental health and be able to effectively make the necessary changes where and when they are needed.

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It’s not easy feat but literally anyone can do it, and because I know this to be true I challenge you! Join me in this fun Mental Health Challenge where for each day of the month (divided up by week) we will take some time throughout the day to focus on our mental health. It’s important to check in with yourself every once in a while, and it’s an even greater importance to make a habit out of it.

So let’s have fun and take this challenge head on! I’ll be putting my mental health first this month. Will you?

-Xo

Kimora