Can you believe something as important as mental health was once taboo? Imagine feeling shame about your skincare routine! It just doesn’t make sense (especially for me because I never shut up about face masks)! As we approach the halfway point of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve all become more aware of the fact that brain care is just as important as physical. We now find ourselves sitting down to meditate, writing in a bullet journal, or just having some “me-time” and we feel inspired to do something! So we sit there!

But, wait... what are we supposed to do? Where do we start? And what do bullets have to do with journals?

Like skincare routines, actively taking care of our mental health can feel confusing. The truth is, no one’s brain is the same, so different methods work for different people! But no need to fear, y’all, because I’m here to share with you two of my favorite recommendations for giving my mental health some TLC.

Make Productivity Easier!

Most mental health advocates stress the importance of slowing down and pacing yourself- and I totally agree! But, wouldn’t it be nice to simplify the road to efficiency? I love using time-management strategies to manage tasks. One way I cut down on homework hours is through something NJ is known for - tomatoes. More specifically, the time-management method known as the Pomodoro Technique (pomodoro means tomato in Italian). If 80’s trends like blue mascara are coming back, this 80’s-established concept should return too! It involves splitting a task into “pomodoros” - 25 minutes of work - followed by 5 minute breaks. Once you finish 4 pomodoros, take a 15-30 minute break. I find it SO much easier to work when I know there’s a chance to relax coming up. There are other methods like the 80/20 rule or timeboxing, so you can test out any method to see what works for you!

Do What You Actually Enjoy!

When you think of someone participating in self-care, what do you see? A woman in a bubble bath? Well, that woman is not me. People rave over bath bombs, but I can’t seem to convince myself that I like being an ingredient in a lavender scented soup. Nevertheless, don’t take my rejection of baths into consideration when spending your OWN time! March to the beat of your own drum (or tuba, or cello, or electric guitar). If you’re struggling to figure out what you like, ask yourself some guiding questions: “Does this make me feel fulfilled?”, “What feeling am I trying to generate for myself or others?”, “Am I even having fun?”, and etc. I had to ask myself the latter while scrolling through Instagram recently. In the end, I decided to keep my account, but hide the app from my immediate view on my phone. This way, I can continue to keep in the loop while being more conscious of my screen time. This leaves more room for the things I truly Iove, like listening to music, walking my dog and then chilling on the couch with my dog because he gets tired really fast.

Remember: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to become perfectly tranquil. With mental health care comes good days and not-so-good days, and that’s totally okay! Don’t forget to reach out to a friend or family member, either to chat about your feelings or ask about theirs. Don’t be afraid to take time for your wellbeing. In summary, help yourself! After all, the world is your oyster (or French fry, if that’s your thing).

Edited by Chloe Lee