Things to try

Discover different activities that can help you take steps toward better mental health.

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Showing 17–24 of 45 activities

Reward your achievements
For:
Burnout ,
Sadness ,
Workplace issues & unemployment ,
Family conflict
Do something nice for yourself after you complete a task or have a win—big or small. This might be taking a break, talking to a friend, or getting outside for a bit.
Try journaling
For:
Relationship issues & breakups ,
Non-substance addiction ,
Substance use ,
Trauma ,
Worry ,
Grief & loss ,
Anger
Write about how you’re feeling—not only what makes you happy, but also what triggers stress or pain. Experiencing a range of emotions helps regulate stress response, which can mean a healthier immune system. Journaling can also help you take action—you can identify things you want to do more or less of, identify situations you want to change or get help with, and figure out ways to deal with stress in the moment if you know what situations to look out for. While it is tempting to just use your computer, it can be more beneficial to go back to the old pen and paper. The good news is, you only need to journal a few times a week, for 10-20 minutes to get benefit.
Recognize when to get help
For:
Substance use ,
Trauma ,
Non-substance addiction ,
Family conflict ,
Money issues ,
Guilt ,
Sadness ,
Worry
If you feel things getting worse instead of better, notice you've lost interest in people and things you used to enjoy, or have trouble doing everyday things like eating, getting dressed, and getting out of the house, you may be experiencing a more serious mental health issue and it’s important to seek out help from a therapist or psychiatrist who can help you find relief. It can be hard to recognize changes in symptoms, so consider tracking them in a journal or mood-tracking app. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of self-harm, talk to someone you trust or call or text 988 to get free and confidential support from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn about more crisis resources
Seek out things that make you happy
For:
Grief & loss ,
Loneliness ,
Sadness ,
Opening up to friends & family ,
Chronic health issues & disabilities
Look for ways to give your mind a break and find moments of happiness, including keeping up with hobbies and interests or exploring new ones. As an added bonus, participating in fun and engaging activities helps us develop resiliency and healthy coping mechanisms, and may even increase how long you live, according to The National Institute on Aging.
Keep a routine that involves self-care
For:
Burnout ,
Sadness ,
Chronic health issues & disabilities ,
Workplace issues & unemployment ,
Relationship issues & breakups ,
Coping with discrimination & stigma
Sticking to a daily routine that includes self care can help things feel more stable and prevent against depression. Aim to eat and sleep at regular times, and make time for walks or exercise. Mental health is important too, so make time for seeing others and consider practicing meditation or deep breathing.
Ask for specific help
For:
Grief & loss ,
Guilt ,
Loneliness ,
Sadness ,
Chronic health issues & disabilities ,
Family conflict ,
Money issues ,
Burnout
Though making a specific ask when you're going through difficult times might feel strange, well-intentioned friends who say “Let me know if I can do anything” will be glad to have a clear idea of how to be helpful. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider: Practical support: errands, cooking, babysitting, etc.; Social/well-being activities: taking a walk, going to coffee or lunch, etc.; Emotional support: spending time together—to talk, or just spend time together.
Ask for support from friends and family
For:
Grief & loss ,
Loneliness ,
Sadness ,
Worry ,
Opening up to friends & family ,
Relationship issues & breakups ,
Chronic health issues & disabilities
If you're going through a challenging time, think about who you feel comfortable with, and what interactions might feel supportive so you can tell people what you need—whether it's talking about how you’re feeling so you can release some pent-up emotions, or finding comfort by time together with no words exchanged.
Acknowledge and avoid negative self-talk
For:
Non-substance addiction ,
Substance use ,
Anger ,
Guilt ,
Worry ,
Loneliness ,
Navigating your LGBTQ+ Identity ,
Sadness ,
Shame
Stress or worry might lead you to interpret situations negatively, be overly self-critical, or doubt you ability to deal with stressors. To reframe negative thoughts, avoid thinking of them as facts and consider other possibilities. Doing this over time can help reduce the negative emotional response to stress. The world is hard enough, you don't need to be hard on yourself, too.

Showing 17–24 of 45