8 Ways to Take Action on Mental Health Action Day

Action is essential in maintaining your mental health but when it comes to prioritizing wellness, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With that in mind, here are 8 easy ways you can take action on the first Mental Health Action Day, Thursday, May 20. It’s important to remember that action looks different for everyone, so we encourage you to pursue whatever actions feel best for you.

Check In With Yourself: As you navigate through the business of your day-to-day life it is so easy to forget to take care of yourself and not acknowledging your thoughts and feelings can be detrimental to your mental health. Make sure you are regularly checking in on yourself and assessing your own wellbeing. Mooditude, an app that offers data-drive, personalized mental health plans, is free for the entire month of may.

Reach Out to a Friend: When you are struggling to care for your mental health, it can often feel isolating and the idea of talking to a loved one in your life about what you are experiencing can seem like a daunting task. But reaching out can make all the difference, as we all need support and encouragement as we navigate through difficult times.

Get Outside: Spending time in nature is a fantastic way to relieve stress and increase your energy. Plus, fresh air literally sends more oxygen to your brain, which can elevate your mood. You only need a few minutes to escape the daily grind and practice a bit of mindfulness.

Drink a Glass of Water: Nearly 80 percent of Americans aren’t drinking enough water on a daily basis and believe it or not, that lack of hydration can have a massive impact on your mental health. Drinking water can improve your mood and emotions and a study even found that people who drink more water had a lower rate of anxiety and depression than people who drink less water.

Start a Meditation Practice: Research shows that meditating can have a profound effect on a person’s mental health. Through meditation, you can improve mindfulness and self-esteem, while reducing stress and anxiety. Meditation is a simple way to clear your mind and escape the nonstop distraction of your daily life. Journaling can also serve as an effective form of meditation, as you examine your thoughts and create a space for reflection and mindfulness. If you are interested in trying meditation and mindfulness exercises, use this one-month free promo code from Headspace to help you get started.

Schedule Your First Yoga Class: Practicing yoga has proven to positively affect both your physical and mental health. In fact, studies have shown that yoga can help with stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There are several different styles of yoga, so you can find the class that best suits your needs.

Join a Peer Support Group: If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, consider finding a peer support group. With regular meetings, these groups specifically rely on shared experiences, creating a natural sense of community that lends itself to open and empathetic communication.

Find a Therapist: Finding a therapist should be easy and encouraging. Mental Health Match is a free service that matches people to therapists and counselors who best meet their needs.  Another option is the Anxiety & Depression Association of America’s Find-a-Therapist platform that allows you to search for therapists by location, treatment options, and disorders treated.