13 tips for your mental health self care kit

It's easy to forget to take time for yourself. If you're feeling overwhelmed or run-down try some of the following tips to help bring balance and happiness to your life!

Pick one small thing that you need to do and get it done.
Fix a small annoyance at home that’s been nagging you—a button lost, a drawer that’s stuck, a light bulb that’s gone. There's nothing better than checking something off of your mental to-do list. 

Goof around for a bit.
Schedule in 5-10  minutes of "play” a several times each week. Fly a kite, swing on a swing set, play in the sandbox, have a dance party.

Go off-grid for the weekend
Plan a two-day holiday for your next free weekend. Tell people you’ll be away, turn off your phone, no social media updates, and then find a place you can relax and enjoy some time away.

​Shake up your routine
Get out of your comfort zone by choosing to do something different today. Take a different way home, call a friend you haven’t talked to recently, or try something new for dinner. Shake up your routine and see what happens!

Make a small change
Make one small change to your diet for the week. Eat an extra portion of veggies, drink less coffee, or drink an extra glass of water each day.

Get a massage
One of the easiest ways to relax and take some time for yourself. 

Don't have time to go get a massage, create a spa at home.
Take a long bath with soothing music and candles, relax with a facial mask, sit around in your bathrobe and read a book or binge your favorite show.  

Prepare a meal, no matter how simple.
​Buy fresh ingredients and make yourself a meal, then roll out a blanket and eat your dinner on the grass at home or in the park. You could invite friends to join if you want. 

Rearrange your living area or bedroom
Rearrange your furniture and try something different in your living space. If you don't like it, rearrange it again until you . 

Remember the good things
Take a moment at the end of each day and consciously list a few good things in your life. This can help refocus your emotions on all the positive things that happen each day, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

Send out positive energy
Write a review of a business you like. Send that positive energy into the universe and share some love for your favorite local places!

Do something you you used to like to do but haven't in awhile
Do something you used to like to do, whether or not you were or are “good at it.” Remind yourself that you can do something just because you enjoy it, and the only way most people get better at something is practice.

Take some time to laugh
Watch a couple episodes of a comedy show you love, or search the internet for the best cat.gifs, anything that makes you smile and giggle. Just be sure to have an exit strategy so you don’t get sucked in for too long and feel guilty for it.