As time goes by my mission is always to level up on my self-care. Daily I give myself time to practice different tools that resonate. Here are a few things that I feel can be a great support for our minds.

1. Therapy: Seeking help from a mental health professional such as a therapist or counselor can be very beneficial. They can provide you with coping strategies, support, and guidance. Resources such as NAMI (https://nami-eastside.org/ )and Youth Eastside Services (https://www.youtheastsideservices.org/)

2. Mindfulness and Meditation.: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded, reduce stress, and improve your overall mental well-being. A wonderful app that can help is called Balance they gives you a free year of wonderful mindfulness and meditation practices. I use this app every morning to get my day started.

3. Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits, including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Movement can be as simple as finding an online program you enjoy or go to a local gym (I like Planet Fitness) to get out of the house. When its nice outside, go on a walk daily, its amazing what this can do for a low mood.

4. Healthy Eating:: A balanced diet can have a positive impact on your mental health. Eating nutritious foods can help regulate your mood and energy levels. Finding a local food healthy food delivery or working with a nutritionist can help keep you motivated, or even plan your meals out with a friend for support.

5. Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for good mental health. Establishing a bedtime routine and practicing good sleep hygiene can help improve your sleep. And shutting off electronics and keeping them away from the bed can also help with a deeper sleep.

6. Social Connections: Maintaining strong social connections with friends, family, or support groups can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation. I have a couple friends I call my soul pod that help me create that connection even when we aren’t together often.

7. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process emotions and gain insight into your mental state. Practicing gratitude with a friend is a wonderful way to create a habit. Write them down daily and share with someone you trust. I text a dear friend every morning and evening with several things I am grateful for to keep this energy going.

8. Self-care: Engaging in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax can be an important part of maintaining good mental health. Hobbies whether it be dance, hiking, art or other things that spark you added to your week can be something to look forward to. Mine change on the regular since I like to try new things to see what sticks at that time.

9. Support Groups: Joining a support group can provide you with a sense of community and understanding from others who may be going through similar experiences. As I mentioned above NAMI and YES both have support group opportunities, these are wonderful local resources.

Remember that everyone is different, so it's important to find the tools and strategies that work best for you. If you are struggling with your mental health, don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted friend that can help guide you to a mental health professional for help and support. If you are worried about being judged by your friends/family you can always reach out to Be Kind 5 on FB or Instagram or even on this website and we can also guide you to find the support you need .

With gratitude,

Teresa - Be Kind 5 Creator

How can we be kind to our mind...