Best Supplies for Mental Health Self Care
Mental Health is such an important part of Self-Care. So often I get lost in the shuffle of day-to-day life, and lose myself in Mommy Life, Wife Life, working, family, house upkeep, I mean the list goes on and on!
It totally bugs me when I get off focus and I have no idea where to start with getting my bearings back! I get mentally drained and lost sometimes.
In order for me to stay healthy mentally and achieve my goals, here are the things that help me:
- Consistency
- Clarity
- Focus
- Finding Momentum
- Planning & Preparation
- Organization
CONSISTENCY IS KEY TO GREAT MENTAL HEALTH
I am notorious for being inconsistent. It is one of the things I’ve struggled with for a REALLY long time. When I have a goal though and hit a momentum, I can really see something all the way through with grit and determination.
Having mental clarity is an excellent way to achieve your goals and live your best life.
Now on with this amazing list of 10 supplies for Mental Health Self Care!
Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor, so please make sure to get medical attention, support and advice from your actual physician.
1. An Amazing Organization Planner
Organization is a huge proponent of self-care. Planning things out clears everything out of my head once I have the peace of mind in knowing it’s all written down. Planning and preparation helps me be consistent and focused.
I’ve been using The Happy Planner for a few years now and they are my absolute favorite. The vertical layout makes it super easy to plan my weeks because you can see the entire week spread out in front of you! Anytime someone mentions they need a new planner, I always recommend this one.
2. A Pretty Journal to Chronical Your Thoughts
I’ve kept a journal since I started writing. I know crazy right? My Mom encouraged me even as a kid to journal my thoughts and write them down. It’s become something so important to me in my life, and I couldn’t imagine not keeping one.
Journaling clears my head, helps me get things out and also keeps a record for me of what goes on in my life. There have been many times where I used my journal to reference things I couldn’t fully remember. So I definitely recommend journaling for mental self-care, clarity, focus and health.
Here is a BEAUTIFUL journal that’s vegan leather and has some really great features: VALERY A5 Size , Refillable Faux Leather Cover, Lined Journal
3. Inspirational Books to Read
Reading is so important to me for mental self-care. And reading inspirational material has been invaluable to me in my daily life. I like to ALWAYS have a good book to read, whether I feel like I have the time to read or not. There is always an unfinished book in my possession, just waiting to be read.
I do have books on my Kindle so I do read online, however there is still nothing like having a physical book in my hand. I think I will always prefer reading a real book. I just love being able to write ideas into the margins, highlight amazing things I come across and put a real book mark in to mark where I left off!
One of my favorite books to go back to over and over again is Write it Down, Make it Happen; Knowing What You Want and Getting It, by Hennriette Anne Klauser
4. An Aromatherapy Scent Diffuser
Aromatherapy is “the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being.”
It can be done a few different ways, but for the sake of keeping it simple, I suggest trying an oil diffuser and starting with some lavender essential oil.
If you’re not familiar with essential oils, it can get kind of complicated because there are so many of them, and many argue of the purity and strength of different brands of oils. I’ll spare you those details and tell you, just go with the NOW Foods brand until you’re ready to delve into the deep world of essential oils. You can find it in most every health and wellness store, as well as on Amazon.
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils because it covers so many different ailments and it smells wonderful. It’s excellent for calming, invoking relaxation and rest, and reducing stress and anxiety.
I can honestly say I have seen the effects of lavender over and over again in my treatment rooms as a Licenced Esthetician (Skin Care Therapist), as well as my own personal use of it. It is definitely my favorite oil so far. Give it a try when you’re feeling frazzled or stressed, or if you have racing thoughts or anxiety. It does wonders!
5. Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are wonderful for mental self-care. My favorite tea is chamomile because it relaxes me, but for some the relaxation properties may be too strong to get anything done! I really like the Yogi brand teas, and this one, Yogi Tea – Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy, is great for energy and focus.
6. Water Bottle
Water is so important for everyone, and it can be really easy to forget to drink it. Not only does it keep you hydrated and keep your organs functioning well, it helps your mental clarity and focus battling the negative effects of dehydration.
I’ve tried and tried over the years to make sure I’m drinking enough water, and I can honestly tell you the best way for me to do it is to have a specific bottle designated just for my water.
This Venture Pal Large 128oz Water Bottle is the cutest little unique bottle I’ve seen! It has sayings on it to motivate you as you drink from it throughout the day. Definitely a helpful way to get all your water in. Bring it with you to the gym, to work, and sip it on your drive
7. Vitamin D Supplement
A lack of vitamin D can cause so many health issues, and you’d never know you have low vitamin D unless your Doctor tests your vitamin levels.
One of the biggest symptoms of low vitamin D is depression and anxiety. If you live in the midwest like I do, our cold winters and rainy transitional seasons keep us in doors a lot away from the sun, which is a natural supplier of Vitamin D. So it’s so important for us to make sure we’re getting enough of it.
Women are also way more susceptible to Vitamin D deficiency than men. So definitely make sure to get your levels checked and keep vitamin D in your diet. Here is a great Vitamin D supplement you can take: NatureWise Vitamin D3 5,000 IU for Healthy Muscle Function, Bone Health, & Immune Support
8. Notebooks
I like to use notebooks because I need space to write and jot down ideas, lists, and random thoughts or plans. I need to be able to come back and see the things I thought about doing at one time or another. Sometimes they’re bad ideas, sometimes good ones. But at least I got it out of my brain and onto paper!
Some of my favorite notebooks to use are good old Five Star College Ruled notebooks. They’re on the sturdy side so they don’t fall apart easily, but yet they’re not too heavy so they don’t weigh my bags down.
9. Adult Coloring Books
I have seen and heard people singing the praises of Adult Coloring books for a few years now for relaxation and mental self-care. These are a great way to relax and calm your mind, while creating something beautiful at the same time! Here is a great one to try: Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book for Adults.
10. Quality Pillow
Adequate rest is such an important key to mental self-care. Sleep deprivation can cause forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, depression, irritability and fatigue. Getting some good rest can cure a whole host of problems!
Think about the pillows you have now. Are they comfortable? Are they flat and lifeless?
Now think about the last time you bought new pillows. Remember how it felt the first night you slept on them? There is nothing like it!
Go ahead, just get some new ones and recapture that feeling of a good night’s rest. These look amazing: COZSINOOR Cozy Dream Series Hotel Quality Pillows for Sleeping
HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR SELF-CARE
Medication
This is probably the most important thing on the list. If you have medication prescribed to you by your doctor for your mental health, TAKE IT. Be sure to take your medication as prescribed by your Doctor. If you feel you don’t need it anymore, NEVER stop taking it on your own. Get approval from you Doctor first
Exercise
Exercise can be called a natural medication because it gives you a natural shot of endorphins to the brain. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain and act similarly to drugs such as morphine and codeine.
Secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria and happiness. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.
Keep Showing Up Every Day
If you keep showing up every day, and keep making a plan to reach your goals, you are closer to making it than you think. And “it” is whatever that means to you! Don’t give up, and keep going.
If you get off course, just get back up, dust yourself off, and TRY AGAIN. And try again, and again, and again. YOU. CAN. DO. IT.
Keep taking care of yourself, and your mental health.
What are your favorite things to use for your mental health self-care?
For more on self-care, check out these articles:
The Best Self-Care Tips & Ideas for Introvert Women
11 Black-Owned Candle Companies You Will Love
4 Simple Must-Have Beauty Items for Women Who Just Don’t Have Time
Best Supplies for Mental Health Self Care This Year
