Blogs

The power of self-care: tips for taking care of your mental health

Emilie Mauricio

October 29, 2025

•

4 min read

Why Self-Care?

In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing mental health is crucial for overall well-being. Self-care practices play a pivotal role in maintaining mental wellness and resilience amidst life’s challenges. Here are some practical tips to incorporate self-care into your daily routine and nurture your mental health:

A man relaxing at a spa with cucumber slices over his eyes and a face mask on, enjoying a moment of self-care and relaxation.

Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for cognitive function and emotional well-being. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into your daily routine. These practices can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and promote emotional balance.
Engage in Physical Activity: Regular exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health but also has numerous mental health benefits. Whether it's going for a walk, hitting the gym, or practicing a sport you enjoy, find ways to stay active and energized.
Establish Boundaries: Set healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life to protect your mental well-being. Learn to say no to commitments that drain your energy and prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Connect with Others: Cultivate supportive relationships with friends, family, or a trusted therapist. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with others can provide validation, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
Nourish Your Body: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to fuel your body and mind. Stay hydrated and limit consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods, which can negatively impact mood and energy levels.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion, especially during challenging times. Acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments, and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend.
Unplug and Recharge: Take regular breaks from screens and technology to recharge your mind and prevent burnout. Spend time outdoors, engage in hobbies you enjoy, or simply take a moment to pause and breathe deeply.

Take Action

By incorporating these self-care practices into your daily life, you can prioritize your mental health and build resilience to navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease and confidence. Remember, self-care is not selfish—it's essential for your overall well-being and happiness.

Ready to take charge of your mental wellness? Try Brightn free today.

Expert Insights on mental health

View all

Blogs

7 min read

Managing Social Stress During Celebrations: 7 Evidence-Based Strategies for Holiday Anxiety Relief

Celebrations and holiday gatherings often bring heightened stress, social anxiety, and emotional overload due to increased expectations, disrupted routines, and complex family dynamics. This guide explores why social events can feel draining instead of joyful and how factors like financial pressure, social comparison, and reduced emotional regulation contribute to holiday stress. It offers practical, evidence-based strategies for managing social anxiety, protecting your energy, practicing mindfulness, and setting realistic expectations during busy seasons. The article also highlights how mental wellness apps like Brightn support calmer, more authentic celebrations through guided reflections, mood tracking, and emotional awareness tools, helping you navigate gatherings with greater presence, balance, and emotional resilience.

Blogs

6 min read

Black Friday Psychology: How Holiday Shopping Affects Your Mental Health (And What to Do About It)

Holiday shopping can feel joyful in the moment but often leads to stress, guilt, and financial anxiety once the season ends. This article explores the psychology behind holiday spending, explaining how consumer culture, social pressure, and brain reward systems drive impulsive purchases that impact both financial and mental wellness. It breaks down the connection between money stress, emotional regulation, and well-being, while offering science-backed strategies for mindful spending, setting value-based boundaries, and reducing impulse buying. Readers also learn how mental wellness apps like Brightn support healthier money habits through guided journaling, mood tracking, and self-awareness tools that help align spending decisions with personal values, reduce holiday stress, and build long-term financial and emotional balance.

Blogs

9 min read

Why Am I Anxious During Winter Break? The Student Rest Paradox Explained

Winter break is often expected to feel restorative, yet many college students experience increased anxiety, restlessness, and guilt once the semester ends. This article explains why unstructured time after finals can feel overwhelming, how chronic academic stress impacts the nervous system, and why rest can feel uncomfortable instead of relaxing. It explores key factors such as productivity-based self-worth, loss of routine, decision fatigue, and unprocessed emotions, while offering practical strategies for stress management, emotional regulation, and healthy self-care during winter break. The guide also highlights how mental wellness apps like Brightn support students through guided journaling, mood tracking, flexible routines, and daily check-ins, helping them recover from burnout, reduce anxiety, and return to the next semester feeling grounded, balanced, and mentally well.