Mental Health Checklist

We don't always treat it this way, but the truth is that there's really nothing more important than mental health. Without a healthy mind and stable mood, everything suffers. We just don't feel our best, and we aren't able to accomplish all that we want in life. 

But how do we really stay on top of our mental well-being?

There are many forms of self-care, and different people will find different activities beneficial. To some, it can be taking a long walk or curling up with a good book. To others, it might mean getting finances in order.

To help you get started, here are just some ideas for practising self-care

Create a daily self-care checklist

• Drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water daily

• Eat healthily. Include 30% more vegetables in your meals

• Find ways to move (dance, stretch, go for a walk)

• Create a bedtime ritual

• Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep

Morning self-care routine checklist

• Wake up without immediately looking at your phone

• Don't hit the snooze button, wake up after the first alarm

• Drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body

• Stretch or exercise lightly

• Prepare and eat a healthy breakfast to have energy for the day

• Set your goals for the day

Night self-care routine checklist

• Disconnect from electronic devices so your body can wind down

• Create a relaxing environment in your bedroom by turning on some relaxing music and dimming the lights

• Avoid heavy meals and caffeine as they can interfere with your sleep quality

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.