Whether we show it or not, everyone experiences ups and downs in their mental well-being. Stressors from work, relationships, finances, and loss are common parts of life. Prioritizing self-care is the best we can do to brave these difficult situations. As May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, the Bookstr team is here to share ways we work on our mental health and de-stress.
Walk It Off
To decompress, I enjoy taking long walks outside. I find this time listening to music and exercising very grounding, and it helps me blow off steam when I’m feeling stressed. Getting into a good book helps, too (I’m partial to historical fiction and magical realism). To me, maintaining a healthy mental state is essential to keeping motivated and fulfilled.
Talia Khorassani, Social Media Intern
Music and Mindfulness
I de-stress by listening to my favorite music, which is usually musical theater tunes! For my mental health, I make sure to set aside time to do absolutely nothing after a busy day. It really helps me get ready for bed at night and usually it’s my time to brainstorm some writing prompts that I jot down in my notes app. It is so important to work on my mental health because I’ve realized how much it impacts EVERYTHING. When I have better mental health, I’m more productive and the most basic days are so much fun if I celebrate the small things.
Lauren Hunter, Social Media Department
Staying Connected
Community is the most important thing to me when it comes to combating mental health struggles. Unfortunately, my best friend lives hundreds of miles away! Recently, we started doing daily highs and lows with each other. Every night, we text and let the other person know the high point and low point of our day. It’s a great way to both focus on finding positives and also seek comfort from one another when days are hard. Even when I can’t think of any high point better than what I ate for lunch, it is so calming and reassuring to know that someone is there to listen and care.
Kaija Strong, Editorial Department
Talk It Out
One of the best things for me is to talk through what I’m dealing with. Be it with my husband, my best friend, or even my dog, putting voice to the things I’m feeling or working through helps me organize my mind. For stress relief, I love listening to music (Hozier, Taylor Swift, and Kiki Rockwell are favorites for calming myself down), reading, watching feel-good videos, and hanging out with my kid. But for the big stuff, talking about it with someone is usually the best way for me to process and put everything into perspective
Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach Department
Mental Respawn
My favorite way to de-stress is through video games! It’s a hobby that often gets put on the back burner for the joyous responsibilities of adulthood. But since my therapist pointed out how my mental health improves when I regularly indulge in gaming, I’ve noticed there is a significant drop in my mood when I go too long without it. Since then, I prioritize making time for it as much as I can, even if it’s a quick ten-minute session. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in middle school, so allowing myself time to slow down and process events has helped immensely in regulating my emotions. I can’t sit still long enough to meditate, but video games allow me similar mindfulness in that I’m focused on one task, and my thoughts can float around me. I like a wide range of games, but lately, I’ve been tackling Disco Elysium, Good Pizza, Great Pizza, and Fields of Mistria! If you like gaming, I highly recommend them!
Annastasia Hinz, Social Media & Marketing Intern
Change It Up
Normally, when I find myself down or stressed, it’s because I’ve been cooped up inside or in one place for far too long. If it’s a nice day out, or even night, walking around the neighborhood or going to one of my favorite local spots is an easy way to get my mind off things for a while. If it is too late, cold, or just a dreary day, I put on one of my comfort shows and binge my favorite episodes for as long as it takes (Adventure Time and Avatar: The Last Airbender are my typical choices). It’s also important for me to realize when I’m isolating, and calling a friend or simply being around them to work or cook is always helpful. Mental health is super important for me because if I go too long in a stressed state, I almost always end up with a cold as a result. Keeping the mind healthy is just the first step in keeping the body healthy too!
Arcas Moore, Editorial Intern
If you are experiencing mental health struggles, it is important to realize you are not alone. It is normal to not feel 100 percent at your best all the time. Consider incorporating these tips into your daily life because protecting your mind is just as important as protecting your body.
Looking for more ways to de-stress? Check out these 4 Thought-Provoking Journaling Books to Help Ease Your Mind.
Click here for the Bookstr team’s top books for stress relief.
