Mental health advice articles usually leave me with the same feeling I get after watching a yoga tutorial: deeply aware that I’m not nearly as flexible as I thought—physically or emotionally. So when I stumbled across Nine Ways to Support and Strengthen Your Mental Health on Psychology Today, I braced myself for vague platitudes wrapped in therapeutic beige.
But reader, I was pleasantly surprised. This article, by the refreshingly grounded John-Manuel Andriote, is a shot of espresso to the soul—equal parts wisdom and real-talk, no self-help snake oil in sight.
“Like tending a garden, maintaining good mental health requires attention and effort.”
Damn right. My mental garden has been more haunted corn maze than serene Zen oasis lately, so the metaphor hits hard. I’ve been watering the weeds with wine and calling it ‘coping.’ Time to reassess.
Let’s dig into these nine nuggets of psychological fertilizer, shall we?
1. “Make your physical health a priority.”
Ah yes, the mind-body connection: the original power couple. Andriote reminds us that poor sleep, bad food, and sedentary habits aren’t just lifestyle faux pas—they’re mugging your mental health in broad daylight.
For me, this meant finally confronting my late-night affair with Hot Cheetos and replacing it with something that doesn't set my intestines on fire. (Spoiler: it’s Greek yogurt. The kind that judges you a little while you eat it.)
2. “Learn to quiet your mind.”
This one feels personal. My mind doesn’t “quiet.” It throws raves at 2 AM, complete with existential strobe lights. But Andriote doesn’t suggest you become a Zen master overnight. He offers breathing techniques, journaling, and the art of shutting up your inner monologue like it's an annoying podcast host.
3. “Get emotionally honest with yourself.”
Look, I’d rather fold a fitted sheet than “sit with my feelings.” But emotional honesty is like flossing: annoying, necessary, and ultimately a kindness to future you.
Andriote writes, “We need to be honest with ourselves about how we feel, and why we feel that way.” So yes, I cried during a dog food commercial and no, it wasn’t just about the golden retriever. Sometimes we crack because we’re carrying too much. Sometimes we cry because the dam needs a break.
4. “Cultivate supportive relationships.”
In other words, stop texting your ex and start building a crew that doesn’t suck. Andriote champions connection like it’s emotional kale—and he’s right. “We are social beings,” he reminds us. “We thrive on connection.”
So I started a weekly dinner night with people who know the difference between venting and trauma-dumping. Ten out of ten recommend.
5. “Ask for help when you need it.”
This is the psychological equivalent of asking for directions before you’ve driven your emotional minivan straight into a ditch. We’re conditioned to tough it out—but as Andriote says, “There’s no shame in saying you’re overwhelmed or in pain.”
Shout out to my therapist, who nods empathetically while I explain that my anxiety feels like a squirrel high on espresso doing cartwheels in my chest.
6. “Create a life that has meaning and purpose.”
Okay, this one’s a biggie. Andriote encourages us to find purpose—not in a cheesy Instagram-quote kind of way, but through work, creativity, and connection that makes us feel alive. That means pursuing something more fulfilling than binge-watching prestige television and calling it character development.
7. “Practice gratitude.”
Here’s the thing: gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about balancing it. You can hate your job, stress about rent, and still feel thankful that the coffee was strong and the Wi-Fi didn’t betray you. That’s called growth. Or possibly just adulthood.
8. “Set healthy boundaries.”
My old idea of a boundary was saying “lol no worries!” while someone metaphorically walked across my soul in stilettos. No more. Andriote lays it out: “Boundaries protect your time, energy, and peace of mind.”
Say it with me now: No is a full sentence. Period. No exclamation point needed.
9. “Take time to have fun.”
This last one felt like a dare. Fun? In this economy? But Andriote insists it’s essential, not optional. Even a five-minute dance party in your kitchen counts. Especially if you’re bad at it.
“Fun refreshes your spirit and gives you something to look forward to.”
Amen. I bought a kazoo. My neighbors hate me, but my inner child is thriving.
So there you have it: nine steps to mental health that don’t require you to chant in a candle-lit forest or drink mushroom tea with a man named Sage. Just real, grounded, daily choices that shift the needle from barely surviving to hey, I’m kinda doing okay.
I won’t lie—mental health maintenance is still work. But it’s the good kind of work. The gardening-in-the-sun, dirt-under-your-nails, tomatoes-you-actually-grew-yourself kind. And that feels like a win.
🌱 Read the original article here: Nine Ways to Support and Strengthen Your Mental Health – Psychology Today
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