7 Mental Health Tips That Helped Me Feel Human Again

I learned how important these mental health tips are to my overall wellbeing the hard way. No, I didn’t hit rock bottom. Nothing that dramatic, or painful. I didn’t have a crisis. I just… stopped feeling like myself.

Over tired, overworked and overwhelmed is no way to go through life!

I’ve dealt with these issues from time to time during my life, like everybody else, but there was a point where things didn’t lighten up after a few days like they usually do.

This “blue” feeling lingered, and that was unusual for me.

It got to the point where I knew I needed to make changes. And that’s what I did, just little things that made a big difference in a few days.

If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., or feeling anxious for no clear reason, or wondering why everything feels harder than it used to — you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. And while I’m still figuring things out, these seven small mental health tips helped me feel a little more like me again — without therapy, apps, or perfection.

Maybe they can help you too!

Top Easy Mental Health Tips For More Balance

1. I Stopped Grabbing For My Phone First Thing in the Morning

I think many of us have gotten into the habit of grabbing our phone as soon as we wake up, often before we even get out of bed. I’m old enough to remember when cell phones weren’t such a big thing in life. It’s weird how quickly they’ve taken us over!

This tip may sound simple, but this changed everything.

Setting the tone for the day does happen very quickly after you awaken. What tone do you want to set for your day? Stress, overwhelm, negativity? Or would you rather have calm, peace and clarity? And, no, that's not a trick question.

Now, I wake up, drink water, stretch, and breathe for a few minutes before checking anything. It helps my brain wake up calmly — not with anxiety spikes from notifications.

2. I Started Getting Outside Within an Hour of Waking

I love spending time outside in nature, particularly on a summer morning. I love the sounds, scents and sights. I love sitting out on my front porch drinking my morning coffee, to me it’s one of those simple pleasures in life!

Even if it’s cloudy, even if it’s cold, I try to get some daylight on my skin and in my eyes.

That early sunlight tells your body to release serotonin which is the feel-good hormone, and reset your internal clock. It helps with energy and sleep. And, it improves your overall mood too!

3. I Use the 3-3-3 Rule When My Thoughts Spiral

This mental health tip is deceptively simple. I thought it sounded a little odd when I first heard about it but many people recommend it so I gave it a try. To my understanding, it’s about grounding yourself by being in the moment and forcing your mind to focus on what’s right here, right now.

Here’s how it works:

Name 3 things you see

Name 3 things you hear

Move 3 parts of your body

It pulls your mind out of the spiral and back into the present.

4. I Schedule “Mental Rest” Time

Not just rest. Mental rest. No phone. No agenda. Just quiet. Sometimes it’s staring out the window, sometimes it's journaling, sometimes it's a slow walk. These things work for me, you can find some things that work for you.

It doesn’t really matter what, small things that are no-stress and bring you a little happiness and calm is all you need.

It gives my brain a break from performing.

5. I Break Tasks Into Ridiculously Small Steps

When I’m overwhelmed, I don’t write “clean the kitchen.” I write:

Put one glass in the sink

Wipe the counter for 1 minute

It may sound silly but if you’re overwhelmed even the smallest task can be the final straw.

We don’t want to get to the point of the final straw so let’s give ourselves a break and step back from the big picture to embrace the micro-picture. Even if it’s just for a little while.

Half the time, I do more. But even when I don’t, I feel accomplished. And, I’ve learned, that if I don’t get all the dishes done at one time, they’ll still be there later! 🙂

6. I Give Myself One “Joy Task” Daily

This could be a playlist, a coffee in silence, texting someone I love, or sitting outside.

It’s not about productivity. It’s about presence.

7. I Set Boundaries With Doomscrolling

Now, I am very careful about the sites I visit. Way too many sites are only concerned with clicks and they put up the worst possible headlines and photos. I don’t want to be exposed to that constant negativity so I have greatly reduced my online time.

If I’m spending time online these days I tend to go to sites where I can see happy or fun things, like Pinterest for example.

That one tiny decision has protected my peace more than I ever realized.

Want to Give Them a Try?

We're all different and we all face our own special challenges in life. There is no one size fits all solution to stress and mentalth health issues.

And, to be transparent, I'm not a therapist, doctor or any type of professional. If you're really struggling you might want to find a professional for help.

But these simple tips may help you regain some balance and perspective in life. Give them a try and see if they help you too!

You don’t have to change your life overnight.

But if you start with one or two of these habits — even imperfectly — you might find yourself feeling just a little more in control, more grounded, and more like yourself again.

🎉Want a printable PDF of my new Daily Wellness Kickstart Guide?

👉 Download it here