THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KEEP ME SANE

mental health: noun

: the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment, especially as reflected in feeling comfortable about oneself, positive feelings about others, and the ability to meet the demands of daily life

also: the general condition of one’s mental and emotional state

Living in current times, mental health has become a common byword in media, topics of conversation, and an acknowledged important aspect of being. As per Merriam-Webster’s definition alone, it is one’s ability to meet the demands of daily life – meaning, it is a requirement to be able to live and have a good quality of life.
With what is happening around the world now, it is increasingly becoming harder and harder to keep ourselves mentally and emotionally okay – there will admittedly be good times, bad times, even more bad times and amazing times… life, as we know it, is never a steady drive, but more often than not a roller coaster ride. I’ve struggled with this over the years, and only recently have I tried to live a more “forgiving life,” as I call it… Here are some ways I try to tip the mental health scale in my favor:

1. A HOT, LONG SHOWER – my number one go-to. After a loooong day, this relaxes me and somehow cleanses my mind, body, and soul of the day’s heaviness. 100/10 would recommend. This is also when I talk to God about everything.

2. MY ART, I CREATE AND CREATE, WITHOUT JUDGEMENT (AND MAYBE WITHOUT BUDGET LOL) – the moment I started going back to making art is the moment I felt like I went back to my roots and my first love. It clears my mind of worries and just lets me release all the stress. (Now I just have to worry about the cost of all the materials…)

3. RESTFUL WEEKENDS, WITHOUT GUILT, JUST BED ROTTING – I used to think I was not doing my best if  I did not do anything during the weekends. WRONG. IT IS OKAY. In fact, it is more than okay to NOT DO ANYTHING and just allow yourself to be. 1000/10, you need to try it.

4. ICE CREAM, PINTS OF IT, SPECIFICALLY VAN LEEUWEN  COFFEE AFFOGATO – trust me, it is just so good…. One scoop will have you smiling!

5. COOKIES AND CREAM – not the dessert, but my only baby, my DOG. Need I say more? At the end of any day, he makes me happy. FACTS.

6. KDRAMA BINGING – this, or an alternative would be TRUE CRIME DOCU BINGING. Both of these empty my mind and help me relax. LOVE IT.

7. NINTENDO SWITCH – playing OVERCOOKED and IT TAKES TWO is how I also bond with my husband. The fact that I suck so much at these games makes it all the more enjoyable (my husband laughs to no end about my lack of skillz… it’s too funny, I swear)

8. SUNSETS – They show and remind me how beautiful life is. How we are all surrounded by beauty day in and out. And yes, at the end of the day, there will always be something to look forward to.