Mental health is one of those things everyone talks about but hardly anyone really does anything about, lol. We all say “take care of yourself” but then binge-watch Netflix till 3 a.m, eat chips straight from the bag, or scroll twitter for hours like zombies. I’ve been there too, thinking I was “being productive” while my brain slowly melted, so here’s some tips i wish someone had told me earlier.
Sleep Isn’t Optional
Yeah yeah, everyone says sleep is important but honestly, who really follows it? We have deadlines, zoom meetings, social plans, or just endless TikToks of people living “better” lives than us. But sleep is like the main battery for your brain, without it everything feels worse, you get grumpy, forget stuff, and sometimes even cry at random commercials (don’t ask me why it happened to me). Even one bad night of sleep can ruin your whole day. Try 7-9 hours if you can, if not, even a little nap feels like magic.
Exercise Isn’t Just for Abs
Look I’m not saying go gym rat overnight or run marathons or whatever. But moving your body even a little helps a lot. Endorphins are like tiny fireworks in your brain, and trust me, you need them. A 15 min walk, dancing like a maniac in your room, or following a 10 min yoga YouTube video does wonders. Also fun fact, even low-intensity stuff reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. Who knew, right? Your body kinda wants to help your brain, you just gotta let it.
Talk About It (Even if It’s Weird)
Mental health is still kinda taboo sometimes. People think talking about feelings makes them “weak” but bottling stuff up is like holding a beach ball underwater—its gonna pop eventually. Even texting a friend “hey I’m feeling meh” can help. I used to think therapy was only for crazy people lol, turns out everyone has some messy brain stuff. And online threads, like Reddit r/mentalhealth, prove you’re not alone, like literally everyone feels the same weird anxious thoughts.
Set Boundaries Like a Boss
This one is huge. You really don’t have to say yes to everything. Seriously, no one remembers the little favors you did anyway. Overcommitting is a stress jackpot. I ruined so many weekends just because I “felt obligated” to do stuff I didn’t want. Saying no is literally self care, and it doesn’t make you a bad friend.
Limit Social Media, Or Be Smart
Social media is like candy. Tastes amazing but too much makes you feel sick. Comparing yourself to other people’s highlight reels is exhausting. Some do digital detoxes, but even just muting accounts or setting timers works. I once went a week without Instagram and wow, it felt like I could finally breathe. Anxiety dropped, and I remembered hobbies i forgot existed.
Mindfulness Doesn’t Need a Shrine
Meditation sounds intimidating but it doesn’t have to be a fancy thing with candles or whatever. Mindfulness is just noticing your thoughts instead of letting them run wild. Even just paying attention to your breath for 1 min counts. Apps like Headspace help if you need guidance, but tbh sometimes saying “chill brain, pls” to yourself works too.
Keep a Journal—Even If You’re Bad at Writing
Writing down thoughts sounds cheesy, but it helps. You don’t need fancy poetry, just scribble stuff. I once wrote down everything annoying for a week and reading it back made me laugh at myself. Brain decluttering, basically. Also helps you notice patterns, like why Thursday always sucks, or why certain people drain you.
Eat…Mostly Well
Ok nutrition is weirdly tied to mood. Sugar spikes crash you, junk food sometimes makes brain fog worse. But also, don’t hate yourself for pizza lol. Balance is key. My rule: mostly good stuff, but snacks are allowed, your mental health won’t cancel you.
Laugh. Seriously.
Laughter is underrated. Watch dumb videos, hang with funny friends, whatever. Humor literally lowers stress hormones. Laughing at memes about “adulting being a scam” totally counts. Science says it helps, so don’t skip it.
Accept Some Days Will Suck
This one is key. You’re allowed to have bad days. Trying to be happy all the time adds pressure. Mental health isn’t perfection, it’s surviving, coping, making it to the next day. Small wins like getting out of bed, showering, even eating a meal, deserve celebration.
Conclusion (Kinda)
Mental health is messy and ongoing. There’s no magic formula to fix everything, and that’s ok. Sleep, move, talk, set boundaries, laugh, eat mostly good, accept bad days. Small steps are better than expecting a castle in one day. Your brain is your lifelong buddy, treat it with patience, care, and maybe some humor too.