People Are Sharing Things That Improved Their Mental Health, Here Are The 50 Most Interesting

When I stopped being in a hurry. Urgency is a trauma response and with current American culture focused on everything happening immediately, it's easy to lose yourself to being in a hurry.

Leaving a toxic work environment.

I rescued a dog.

If only I'd realized this in my teens. People severely undererstimate what a tremendous impact sleep has on your day, productivity, mood...etc.

Removing toxic people from my life. It's amazing how much your mental health can improve just by removing someone who brings nothing but negativity to your life.

Stopped watching the news altogether.

Stopped drinking alcohol. 757 days sober. Life changing.

Exercise. Every single day (and outdoors for me, wherever possible). I coupled it with giving up alcohol (a couple of years back) and cutting out sugary c**p. Massive improvement both physically and mentally. Bad diet and sedentary life styles are incredibly destructive. Now in my mid 50s, I look better than my mid 40s and there isn't any magic to how to do it (beyond "yes, it is OK to feel hungry").

Learning to love myself. A few years ago, I was in a very low spot with my self esteem, and I wanted to be better. My therapist and I talked a lot about treating myself like I would a friend. It sounds cheesy, but I started writing compliments to myself on post it notes in the morning and placing them on a mirror. It didn’t take too long before I started to believe them. It’s amazing how being nice to yourself and giving yourself grace can really improve your mental health.

Creating. Especially making something with my hands

Also some fiction to follow. Tv show/books

Pets.

Hey OP. 48 year old married father of two in the UK here.

I’ll split it into two sections. The first is a well-worn path, but it works. The second is an embarrassing wade into the domain of ***“No S**T, Sherlock”***

**SECTION 1 - The Proven Methods**
- Admitting that I had a problem. This came when I was around 45. I admitted that feeling constantly empty, tearful and hopeless wasn’t sustainable
- Seeking professional help - which resulted in points below:
- Medication - took the sharpest part of the edge off the feelings I described above and allowed me to “get my head above water” emotionally
- Therapy - this has been a core part of recovery. I have learned my core values and how I live to them. That makes me feel 100% me. I have also been able to understand, identify and manage faulty or destructive thoughts processes (this one requires effort and perseverance)

**SECTION 2 - No S**T, Sherlock**
- I stopped drinking booze. I’d regularly drink until I had a hangover the next day, usually at weekends
- Since I’ve stopped drinking, it genuinely feels like I’m playing life on easy mode
- Shoutout to r/stopdrinking

So, yeah, that’s me. I’m a different man to who I was five years ago. I’d recommend the journey to anyone.

My cat!

Keeping my surroundings clean and organized. I'm not saying you gotta be able to eat off the carpet (although that's god tier s**t) but keeping everything tidy, and in its place will help a whole lot.

Being grateful for what I already have.

Getting fired for refusing to sign a document that contained false information. As traumatic as being fired for the first time at 48 was it led to some remarkable events in my life. I have a stronger relationship with my SO and my family now and I have also experienced a lengthy period of personal growth. I stood my ground, lost my job, and reaped benefits much more valuable than money.

Becoming very mindful of the media I consume (tv shows, movies, etc.). I no longer watch anything that isn’t upbeat and it has really changed how I feel.

Not giving a f**k.

Seriously. Best thing I've ever done for my mental health.

De-emphasizing the importance of my every thought. Most human thoughts are nonsense. I question every single negative thought, and every single one so far has turned out to be b******t. No joke. It’s a game-changer.

Edit: I feel compelled to add that I came to this practice by reading Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie,mostly. Both reference great spiritual leaders throughout human history (Jesus, Lao Tzu, The Buddha, Ramana Maharshi) who all point to this notion as a path to end suffering. There are many contemporary writers who also point to the same truths (some mentioned here).

Suffering is optional.

Edit 2: I am thrilled this comment made it to the top of this thread. For those who know, be generous in this advice. Humanity depends on it.

Edit 3: Lots of folks asking what books I would recommend. The short answer is that you cannot choose incorrectly. Also, it all depends of where you are and what grabs you. But, in my opinion The Power of Now by Tolle is a great intro to his work. A Mind at Home with Itself by Byron Katie is what Im reading now for the second time so I suppose I would recommend that. But, truly, read descriptions and pick what pulls!

5 pillars: Sleep, Nutrition, sunlight, exercise, social connection. Spend each day trying to up the HP in those categories and then one day you’ll just notice substantial changes in how you feel.

Getting a hold of my insomnia and meditation and getting out of religion.

I used to be a total psycho. I’m only a little psycho now.

Insomnia is a f*****g terror. As is organized religion.