Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness month. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over 1 in 5 people in the United States suffers from some form of mental illness. Given the stressors in society today, it’s more important than ever to check in with how you are doing mentally and emotionally and be proactive in supporting your own well-being.
Therapy can be a great resource to help those who are struggling. Services like BetterHelp and TalkSpace can be good starting points, or simply reaching out to a trusted friend or community member.
Additionally, there are a number of “little things” that you can do to support your mental health. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, here are 31 ideas-a-day you can easily do to help. We encourage you to try at least one each day this month!
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Take an evening (or longer!) off of screens
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Make a gratitude journal
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Draw, color, or do something creative
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Call up / video chat with someone you haven’t connected with in a while
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Do a little gardening
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Play with a pet
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Enjoy your favorite flavor of ice cream
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Enjoy 30 minutes of exercise
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Try meditation for a week straight (or longer!)
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Eat a healthy, delicious meal including foods high in omega-3s & vitamins (fish, nuts, spinach, kale, blueberries)
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Try a new recipe
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Listen to some uplifting music
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Skip the news (and social media) for a day
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Go for a walk (or a hike)
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Volunteer for a local organization
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Sit quietly in a park of the woods for 10-20 minutes
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Pick one dresser (or one drawer!) or closet to organize
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Teach a young person a skill you know (or just read to them!)
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Hug someone
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Speaking of hugs, get out in nature and hug a tree
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Take at least 30 min for leisure / “play” time
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Touch the earth with your bare feet for a while
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Smile to a stranger, smile to a friend
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Try yoga or get a massage
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Buy a new house plant
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Go to bed earlier than normal to get a better night’s rest
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Smile to your heart
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Enjoy a sunrise or sunset
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Take in a live musical performance
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Give someone a heartfelt compliment
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Make a list of 5 things that bring you peace (and do them!)
