How to build a mental health routine.

Caring for your mental health isn't something you do when you are struggling. It's a habit, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower and creating a mental health routine can reduce your stress, and make it easier for you to cope when life gets rough. The key to creating your own mental health routine is by choosing to do small actions that will help you support your mind and emotions.

To create your mental health routine you gotta start with the basics, those being making sure you get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, and stay physically active through the day. Once you can do that you add activities you think will support your emotional well being, like journaling, or setting daily goals. You might take 6 minutes each and every morning to meditate, stretch, or write down what you are grateful for. These small habits added up can help you create a foundation for your everyday life.

It's also important to check in with yourself on a regular basis. You do that by asking yourself questions like How am I feeling today? What do I need right now? Your mental health routine might include social interactions like talking to your friends, limiting social media, or setting boundaries from certain people. This is totally okay as your mental health routine should reflect you, your needs, and what actually helps you feel calm, inspired, or grounded.

The most important thing for you to do is to give yourself grace. Some Days will be harder than others, and that's okay as that's part of the process. A mental health routine isn't about being perfect, it's about showing up for yourself in small but meaningful ways. With time your habits will strengthen your mental resilience and remind you that your mental being is worth prioritizing over anything else.