Activities

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

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Filter by emotions, moods, and life challenges

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Showing 1–8 of 14 results for “Chronic health issues & disabilities”

Stay current on healthcare and be open with your doctors

See your doctor(s) for regular check-ups. Doing this can catch conditions before they become bigger issues. Make a habit of sharing your questions and concerns so you know what you’re dealing with, and can get the help you need. If relevant, consider what long term and end-of-life care options are important to you, and tell a trusted loved one. Though it may be difficult to think about, it’ll provide relief to know you’ve communicated your wishes in advance of any emergency situations and will prevent them from being put in difficult positions later.

Get creative

Creative expression can be one of the healthiest ways to cope with stress. Whether it be painting, writing, comedy, dancing, singing, cooking—doing something you find joy in can uplift the mind, soul, and spirit. If you have a hobby from the past you’ve been meaning to pick back up, carve some time out to give it a go.

Spend time with friends and family

Feeling connected to others can help life feel more balanced and, according to studies, even impact how our bodies feel. Spend time with friends and family to help take some of the focus away from work, reduce the impact of stressors—or even physical pain—and develop strong connections you can lean on for support.

Seek out things that make you happy

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

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

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

Ask for support from friends and family

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.

Aside from just sounding good, research shows that listening to music actually increases blood flow to regions in your brain that generate and control emotions. And studies show that faster music (usually performed at a tempo between 140 and 150 beats per minute) tends to generate more positive emotions than slower music. Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” (at 156 BPM) is just one example of a song that might give you some positive emotions—it's the first of 10 in a research-backed playlist. But don't let us stop you from making your own playlist of songs that feel good to you.

Related Emotions, Moods, & Life Challenges

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