When it comes to your mental health, making self guided improvements is key. In fact, you probably already have self help habits in place that you didn’t even know about!
Whether you have a hobby that you love, or a friend that you go to for everything, you are practicing self help. There are a lot of self help habits that improve mental health, the trick is to stay consistent a check all of the boxes.
Here is the ultimate mental health checklist for self help:
〇 I Think Kind Thoughts About Myself
What you think actually has a lot to do with what you feel. When you think thoughts that are hurtful to yourself or others, your mental health suffers. When you think about yourself positively and focus on the things you love about yourself, you are using self help to improve your mental health.
Before crossing this one off your checklist today, try thinking about 2 things you love about yourself and why.
〇 I Refrain From Comparing My Life To The lives of Others
It can be very easy to start comparing your life to the hundreds of lives you see on social media every day. Comparing in this way, however, can cause personal dissatisfaction and disappointment. Your path in life may not look like the paths of those around you, and that is a beautiful thing. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to walk on your path, you get to decide.
Recommended Reading: How to stop comparing yourself to others
〇 I Ask For Help When I Need It
Asking for help is important because it puts you in control of the things you need and want. Letting others know that you need help shows them, and yourself, that you value your needs.
Although asking for help can be scary, it is a skill that can be easily learned if you practice consistently. Before crossing this off your checklist today, think about at least one person who you feel safe asking for help when you need it.
〇 I Do Things That Support My Body
This could be anything from putting on sunscreen before going to the beach to exercising regularly. Your mind and body are deeply connected and therefore work better when both are being taken care of. There are so many ways that you can support your body on a daily basis, and they don’t have to be huge. Drink plenty of water during the day, go on a long walk, eat a healthy snack, take supplements, get enough sleep, and the list goes on.
What will you do/have you done to support your body today?
〇 I Acknowledge The Things I’m Grateful For And Proud Of
Acknowledgement is an extremely helpful tool for improving mental health through self help. By acknowledging the things you are grateful for and proud of, you are thanking them for the positive role they play in your health. Practicing acknowledgement in this way can also help increase your confidence.
〇 I Take Breaks When I Need Them
You deserve to take breaks! The routine you create for your day to day life needs to include routine, and effective breaks. This can help in avoiding burnout and gives you an opportunity to do something you enjoy. The beauty of breaks is they are flexible. Sometimes a short walk or music break is all you need to feel refreshed and confident about the task at hand. No matter what an effective break looks like for you, it is a key element to self help.
Think about the signs you get when you’re needing a break. For many people it’s a lack of motivation or energy to do something. Although different people need breaks at different times, you will start to recognize the signs when you pay attention to how you feel both physically and mentally throughout the day.
Recommended Reading: 12 Signs You Need To Take A Break ASAP
〇 I practice self-compassion and Give Myself Grace
Self-compassion and grace are tools widely used for improving mental health through self help. Self-compassion is your ability to show empathy and love to yourself in difficult situations. Giving yourself grace requires patience with yourself. Patience in times of success and patience in times of failure.
Having self-compassion and grace is important because it means understanding that you are human and will make mistakes. Being open to failure and loving yourself no matter the outcome is huge for your mental health.
〇 I focus only on the things I can control
This may be the most important check on this mental health checklist. Focusing only on the things you can control is not only the most productive way, it is also the healthiest option for you. Your focus on the things you can’t control can leave you feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Focusing on the things you CAN control allows you make meaningful actions in your life. This makes a huge difference in your mental health.
Before checking this off the list, think about how you can stop thoughts focused on things you cant control. How could you promote thoughts focused on things you can control?
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