Learning to balance my mental health has been and will forever be a task that is ever-evolving.
Activities I did in my youth have not all translated into adulthood and I’m sure the list I have below will change as I get older.
Being clinically diagnosed with depression and anxiety, coupled with diagnosed PTSD, and undiagnosed ADHD (thanks TikTok), I’ve come up with the best go-to activities that are perfect for when I’m feeling off.
Hopefully, these will be helpful to you on your own journey navigating mental health resources.
Please note: I fully acknowledge that many of the resources listed below are cost-inhibited. In no way do I believe that someone needs money to be able to have a mental health resource toolkit. I am very fortunate to be able to afford these conveniences. This is to show you what I have found that work for me to maybe inspire you to look into different tools you have available around you. Do what feels right for your body and mental health.
reading
This has been the absolute superstar in my resource toolkit. Ever since I can remember my head has been in a book. They have gotten me through all seasons in life from my youth to adulthood.
Books have helped me when boredom kicks in or when there is an overwhelming sense of abandonment and loneliness. They help to make me feel less alone and like the characters are actual people in my life.
During the lighter moments of life, books have been a great tool, too. When I’m in need of entertainment or when I want to visit somewhere else in the world from the comfort of my couch.
However, what might have been used as a form of escapism as a child, I’ve learned how to use this resource to my advantage as an adult:
Taking a brain break from your current reality and into an alternate one has its benefits. It allows your brain to recalibrate and to return to your life with a different perspective.
Chick Lit is my favorite and contemporary romance keeps the nights interesting. I used to try and act as if I was into more serious books but I like what I like. There is no shame in the type of materials that make you happy!
—> Can’t dismiss the importance of audiobooks either! A great way to access a resource when you don’t have the time to sit down and read the actual book.
embroidery
Needlework is a fairly new endeavor and tool but one that is helping me the most with my anxiety.
As millennials grew into adulthood, we (apparently) were all anxious and were needing ways to calm down. To go back to a simpler time and to activities that made us happy. It was then adult coloring books made their debut and were suddenly everywhere.
Unfortunately, that only caused more stress for me: What if the colors I picked were wrong? What if this ends up looking awful?
Enter: cross stitch patterns.
How wonderful was it to not think about if the colors will look good together! You pick a pattern online either Amazon or Etsy and just start stitching. One row after the other stitching a cross along the Aida cloth….very therapeutic.
Among the resources mentioned in this list, they all carry a common theme: to help get your mind off of what is currently stressing you. They require your focus on something else so your mind can divert its attention from your current task. Explore what helps your mind.
sudoku
A game that is always just there. In my teen years, I would get those books from the grocery store and start filling them up. I think I had one always in my backpack during high school when I needed a distraction.
It hasn’t been until very recently that I have started picking up the game on my phone. I’d like to think I am not competitive but….I am. I have all my games under three minutes on every level – except extreme.
Sudoku is a great resource to be coupled with other resources on this list (like the bonus resource at the end ;).
I’m not the proudest to say but I have been caught playing Sudoku at the dinner table. There are times I’ve been called out on it. But when in a triggering situation, it’s best to do things that will help your mental health more than to avoid what is socially seen as rude behavior.
Don’t be ashamed of things you can’t control. The whole reason to build up a resource toolkit is to help us manage our mental health during triggering moments.
A quick game of Sudoku can help calm the anxiety and switch you focus onto something else. And it’s great for the longevity of your brain health!
Nintendo switch/video games
Thank you, Quarantine!
If it wasn’t for everyone being stuck at home, isolated from their friends and family, I wouldn’t have been turned on to this one.
In particular: Animal Crossing. A game that swept the nation and the world!
It took me a bit to get hooked into this virtual world. At first, it was something I wasn’t interested in but social media is a very persuasive marketing tool! Paired with a few of my friend’s kids being all about it, I didn’t want to be left out.
FOMO is strong with this one.
However, this resource not only helped me feel connected during a time we were all physically separated for long periods of time but it helped me to take a brain break.
Playing Animal Crossing allows you to fly into an animated world of your own design.
When many of us aren’t able to afford to purchase a house, this game lets you design and furnish your house and yard and whole island! There is a community, store, neighborhood association…just like life in the suburbs.
There can be a big stigma when video games are concerned. However, technology is our future. Video games are an extremely useful tool for so many people and reasons. To dismiss them completely or to not acknowledge their influence wouldn’t feel right.
Games bring us into different worlds, just like a book can. For visual learners, it’s a great avenue and resource.
Try games until you find one you like. You could also watch other people stream-play their games if costs are too high for you.
journaling
Good Ol’ Faithful.
I’m always in my head. A million little ideas running around and trains of thought crisscrossing past one another.
The act of writing at least one of those trains of thoughts out on paper helps to bring me down to reality and set a plan for my day. It’s a great exercise to manage my mental health.
Consistency is a nice target however, there is no right or wrong way to journal. Pick up the pen and grab some paper or a journal when the moment feels right and just write.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. This is just for you.
You can always burn what you write after if you’re embarrassed. But I promise you, there might be some magic in the writing that helps you if you look hard enough.
walking
I’m not going to pretend that you’ve never had someone tell you the magical benefits of what getting outside and catching some fresh air can do for your mental health.
However, it’s one of my favorite resources. A time to get out of my head. To walk and think and process major or minor events happening in my life.
A walk is best when there is a view but if all you have is your neighborhood, I’m sure you’ll be able to find some mental reprieve in it.
There is beauty all around you. Some places ask for a little more creative thinking to be able to appreciate it.
It doesn’t have to be a long walk even. Just a walk around the block or to take out the trash.
Movement is key for this resource.
online shopping (but not purchasing)
Note: this could be triggering for some people. Again, just sharing what has worked for me.
Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Ikea, Pinterest….all are great places to just browse.
For the things I am coveting and wishfully lusting after, I go online and imagine how a certain piece will work for me. It can be as simple as a travel gadget or as extravagant as a new merino/cashmere sweater from a sustainable brand.
Or, when I just can’t make a decision. I’ll search through different sets of – for example – graph paper until I find what I am looking for…it can take a while.
Online shopping/browsing is a way to get out of the present moment and think about a “someday” event.
When looking ahead at something you want, it’s usually coupled with a favorable event.
This is a way to visualize tangible things that might make an appearance in a future version of yourself and life.
bonus: Netflix reruns
Another Captain Obvious suggestion but one I would think is the most accessible option for many.
It doesn’t have to be Netflix, it can be any sort of streaming service, TV, or even DVD box sets.
The point of this resource, especially for those with anxiety, is to put on a comforting show and to let your mind unwind.
The ease of this resource tool is that it can be going on in the background while you are doing something else. A constant stimulus to bring you back down, or pair it with another tool for an extra effect.
I’ve read online explaining why people with anxiety chose to rewatch shows/movies over and over again: we already know what’s going to happen. It takes the stress out of the unknown when watching a familiar show.
I like spoilers. I want to know or else I will stress myself out and come up with other scenarios. Just because you know how things will end, doesn’t mean you know how it will arrive there.
I hope this list of my top 7 mental health resources has been beneficial to you when building up your toolkit.
Taking the time to experiment does seem counter-intuitive with someone suffering from anxiety but I encourage you to try new things and see what helps your brain.
Pin, Share, Comment below & tell me what are some of your favorite mental health resources!
*featured image by freestocks on Unsplash
*reading photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash
*nintendo switch photo by zekkotek on Unsplash
*walking photo by A. L. on Unsplash
