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35 People Share What Big And Small Changes Drastically Improved Their Mental Health
Drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, exercising—these are just a few great habits to have in order to feel great. But, according to these redditors, it’s not only physical health they can improve, as the netizens’ mental health seemingly took a turn for the better because of them, too.
Redditors discussed such habits after a member of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community asked them about things that have significantly improved their mental well-being. They covered everything from learning to say no to reading, among many other things, so if you’re interested to see what might make you feel better, too, wait no longer and scroll down to find more of their answers on the list below.
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#1
I got a cat. He sits with me. I'll rant and say all kinds of stuff to him and he just sits there like go ahead and get that off your chest man. Life gets lonely especially if you don't have family, a partner, kids. It makes life a little easier.
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#2
Got a good psychiatrist who tested me for everything and found out I needed prescription strength vitamin d capsules that I take weekly and I need to give myself vitamin b shots biweekly. I cried so hard for days because I suddenly had energy and could think straight. I had been deficient for two decades because my gastro doc never tested me for deficiencies after multiple bowel resections due to crohns. But my psych caught it and changed my life.
#3
Putting a stop to my social media use and substituting reading for my time spent there with books. I have completed six books since the beginning of January. It makes me feel really good about myself.
#5
Stopped watching mainstream news.
Any 1 year ago (edited)
This also helped me a LOT! I still know whats going on in the world, because you can't snuff every influence so easily, but it helps me not to get constantly bombarded with negative things. If I get too much negativity I tend to get depressed and thinking about what sense there is, if everything is s**t and death... media is good at giving you the feeling of everything is bad.
#6
Pets.
The Doom Song 1 year ago
My dog is the best. When I'm feeling a bit down he will try and sit in my lap but he's too big (30kg) and always seems surprised by it which makes me laugh
#7
Getting out of an abusive relationship.
#8
It sucks at how well it works. I used to hate my mom telling me that exercise would reduce my depression but she was absolutely right. The issue is that when you’re really depressed it’s the last thing you feel like doing. But nothing else has as much of a positive effect on my mental state as regular exercise.
BrownTabby 1 year ago
OK so when I say it’s only moderately helpful for some people, illustrated by the fact that I hit rock bottom when I was the fittest I’ve ever been, I don’t mean “some people shouldn’t bother exercising” and I certainly don’t mean “no one should”. I mean “if someone says they need more than just exercise, believe them and don’t assume that you know better than them about what they’re dealing with.”
#9
Taking magnesium glycinate at night before bed has a significant affect on my daily anxiety levels.
JessieJ&LilyLovebug 1 year ago
Be careful, though, because magnesium is an NSAID, and you shouldn't take other NSAIDs with it, such as Aleve/Naproxen, Advil/Motrin/Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Celebrex/Celecoxib, Meloxicam, Diclofenac...
#10
Not drinking, going to therapy, lots of self-honesty.
#11
I would say going for regular walks has improved my mental health a ton.
The Doom Song 1 year ago
Walking my dog every morning has done wonders for me, physically and mentally
#13
Sleep is the foundation for a lot of things. Almost everything.
#14
Therapy. I planned my suicide and decided it was time to go. The first visit was like an elephant off my shoulders. I was sad it had taken me wanting to kill my self to seek help. But I was going in the right direction. I feel like being Hispanic, I was programmed to keep it in. Not share my feelings. It’s not like that anymore. Although my father sees my going to a therapist as a weakness, it’s truly such a strength.
David Paterson 1 year ago
With a good therapist. Some therapists are hopelessly awful. Shop around.
Stephanie Did It 1 year ago (edited)
I was in a crisis period of my life and went to a therapist who sat and listened to me for two weeks, yet seemed oddly detached (no notes, no questions). Finally I asked if she was OK. She responded that her husband had passed 3 weeks ago and her doctor told her that going to work would help her deal with her grief. She had not heard one word I had spoken. I told her, "You don't belong here right now, you need to take care of yourself until you're ready to help others again." I never went back. Hope she was able to grieve properly.
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Mechanician 1 year ago
Psych medicine can alter brain function in fundamental and useful ways, but a good therapist teaches ways to change thinking patterns and social interaction techniques. Mirror listening, for example, teaches you how to show a person that you have really heard them, reducing conflict (if they are not too angry for this to work.) Learning to stay out of other people's lanes is remarkably freeing. You can learn to honor your feelings and your parenthood, or finally recognize that you did not 'ask for an assault. If a therapist just listens to you telling old stories and does not give 'homework ' you might do better Journaling, which is free. Every young teen should be given classes in how to break up bad relationships without the end of the world, how to reduce conflict, how to see life as a continuum with changes that are usually normal. I.E., intro to therapy. Therapy needs to be normalized like eye exams. We fill prisons up because trauma is a contagious disease. Why?
Celtic Pirate Queen 1 year ago
There is nothing weak in admitting you need help. That "macho" attitude has led to my losing several friends. F*CK that.
Catherine Maven 1 year ago
I've written a book on this subject - "How I LIVE With Wanting to DIE" - a memoir of the therapy, medication and brain hacks that help me live with this problem as a chronic illness rather than a MUST DO.
GreyWolfGirl 1 year ago
I honestly was so afraid to go to a therapist about my horrible depression, that I just didn’t tell anyone how I felt
GreyWolfGirl 1 year ago
For anyone that may be worried, I am better now :)
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Alvia Vseobecna 1 year ago
suicide thoughts brought me to that point too.. Found good psychiatrist et voila... it helped :)
Zaphod 1 year ago
Therapy has helped me immensely. I feel better after each session. You have to be completely honest or else it doesn't work.
Zaphod 1 year ago
She is teaching me mindfulness. Recognize when I start to spiral and disrupt those obsessive negative thoughts. I can't believe that it is actually working for me!
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Steve Hall 1 year ago
Family is not a substitute for happiness. If a parent points to your efforts as weakness you need to distance yourself from them.
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago
I’ve been very fortunate. A big big shout out to one particular therapist. She also taught me a lot. If you know you don’t click, move on. That can do more harm than good.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
Glad you're still with us man... keep going, we love ya! 🤗
CryingChildKinnie 1 year ago
I went to therapy a couple times it sucked and after I realized it wasn't going to help I started derailing the conversation to things like the plot of Undertale.
Zaphod 1 year ago
I first tried it 25 years ago. I was not honest with myself or the therapist, so I got nothing out of it. I am making lots of progress this time, now that I am being totally honest
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#15
Getting diagnosed with cancer. Seriously. The stressors of life become almost laughable when faced with oblivion.
Edit:
Thanks for the kind words, y'all! I start chemo for the first time today at noon, thus beginning the war of attrition over my body.
#16
Ditching my old friends who didn't take me seriously after a tragedy. I am no longer going to try be relatable and kind. If you treat me like s**t you're out of my life and are dead to me.
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago (edited)
After my BFF of 52 years suddenly died, I went over to visit a “friend”. She knew it had happened. Ya, I’m feeling pretty bad. I get there and the question is “What’s wrong with you?” Seriously. I said I was stressed because of the loss of my BFF. What does she say? “Stress?! That’s not stress. This is stress!” She proceeds to point out how upside down her house is because they’re putting in new floors. I am not a violent person. However, this? I walked right out before she got a slap in the face. Not in my life anymore.
#17
Removed myself from all social media (except Reddit which I consider social media lite) and quit caring about other peoples opinions of me.
#18
Having a non toxic job. I got bullied for as long as I can remember at school home and work. My current job is the best paying and least stressful thing I've ever experienced. I've been able to destress for the first time, I don't worry about work on my days off, and I'm even becoming able to stand up for myself instead of locking up. No amount of self-care worked until I actually got to experience it.
#19
Learning to say no, let go and stop sweating the small stuff. Also knowing that if somebody has a problem with me, it's THEIR problem.
The Doom Song 1 year ago
Don't sweat the small stuff coz at the end of the day it probably didn't matter anyway
#20
Stopped giving a f**k. About what people think, say, or do. Just do you.
#21
Practicing gratitude deliberately. I began thinking of 3 distinct things I was thankful for, every night before falling asleep. I didn't even write them down- just took 5 seconds to reflect, 3 things (but no generic "friendsfamilyfood" repeated answers). Simply doing this every night for several months completely changed my mood.
I suffer from mental illness so I really hate r/ thanksimcured-type stuff but in combination with real treatment, practicing gratitude is scientifically well-established as a mood-booster, and I was shocked by what a huge difference it made.
#22
Sounds bad but letting people deal with their own problems.
The Doom Song 1 year ago
It's not bad. You can't solve everyone else's s**t. Sometimes you need to take a step back and let them figure it out.
#23
Bedtime routine even on weekends when applicable.
No phone 2 hours before bed.
Drink all the water although nothing after 7:30pm.
Sober from alcohol almost 8 months.
Workout every day. Weights 4 days a week. Cardio after weights 2 days a week. Body mobility yoga every day 30 mins every morning and 30 mins before bed.
5-5:30am wake up.
Always have a library card. Reading is so important and fun. Passing that along to my almost 3 year old.
Remove myself from situations that do not bring me happiness or make my anxiety worse.
#24
Getting a dog. Great companionship, forced to go out walking every day plus she's fun to hang out with.
#25
Working from home and not commuting daily.
Yoga/meditation.
Daily walks around the neighborhood even if for 10 minutes.
Realizing a better work/life balance. Not everything can get done that is requested by the deadline.
Brenda Greene 1 year ago
I'm trying so hard to get out of my toxic job and work from home to be with my sick daughter. It sounds so great but is so hard to find.
#26
Stopped lying to myself and others, accepted myself for who I was.
basicraven 1 year ago
Yup, I'm done trying to be an extrovert because people don't understand introverts.
#28
Quit alcohol, quit destructive relationships (friends, family, partner), got help, took medication regularly, exercises everyday, journaled everyday. Life changed significantly!
#30
Cardio for at least 30 minutes, preferably in sunlight or at least outdoors, 5 or more times a week.
#31
Hybrid work. I didn't really realize how much commuting and constant office nonsense was messing with my mental health until the pandemic. Unfortunately, my employer went back to full-time RTO, and my mental health has been spiraling sense. Hopefully, I will find a new job soon.
#32
Quit drinking alcohol. Quit drinking coffee. Drinking more water. Eating full, proper meals and minimizing snacking. Going for long walks as often as possible. Going to bed earlier, and waking up earlier.
Alvia Vseobecna 1 year ago
I should quit coffee too... I´ve reached Lorelai Gilmore levels ://
#35
Full transparency? Psychedelics.
Brains are like a snowy hill. Every thought is like a sled ride down that hill, leaving tracks. As you think the same sort of thoughts, certain grooves become deeper and deeper, your brain developing thought habits that are very difficult to break. Taking psychedelics can blanket that hill with fresh snow. The result is a lot of introspection and new perspectives on your life.
In this way, it can be a very effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. The most known psychedelics are nontoxic and non-addictive. Even more, they can be *anti-addictive,* helping addicts of other substances overcome their vice.
Now, psychs are not a magic cure-all for everyone's mental health, and there are some risks in taking them if you have a family history of psychosis, or if you have certain heart problems. But after doing a lot of research, I wanted to give it a try, and by golly has it been a game changer.
What do you think ?
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
My biggest mental health recovery came from accepting that I can in fact be myself. I stopped pretending I'm a guy (even if the upper set of ghoulies might have suggested as much) and fully embraced that I'm a woman. Spironolactone to stop testosterone production helped a lot too, that stuff was wrecking me physically, mentally and emotionally!
Oleander 1 year ago
I am a woman both biologically and spiritually. I have tried to imagine what it would be like to be me, but in a man's body. It's awful to think about...disorienting, frustrating, misaligned. I'm so glad you're not living that way anymore! Welcome to the girl's club, sis :)
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Stardust she/her 1 year ago
Reducing sugar and realising that I’m an egotistical person and that I have to work on it
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago
That is a very big step you have taken. All the best to you.
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Scarlett 1 year ago
Letting me be me and not a silent people pleaser. So some people might not like that I’m a geek, so what? I stopped caring about that and bang, mental health got way better. Also, make good friends. They also helped a ton with that.
GreyWolfGirl 1 year ago
I want to stop people pleasing as well, but so far no luck
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Kate Jones 1 year ago
I would add to just learn to let things go. Keanu Reeves once said that once he hit 40, he just stopped wanting to argue anymore and it's totally true. 1+1 is 5? Sure...no problem. Good luck with that. The old me would have wanted to argue every point until I 'won' and maybe just wisdom and age have made me grow out of it, but I see so many people stressing out over the stupidest stuff. Fight for something important but let everything else drift by. I promise your life will be better for it.
Echo 1 year ago
I read it but god knows I won't do anything. I'ma just lie on my back somewhere and stare at the ceiling.
Sobri Kate 1 year ago
Reading up on executive dysfunction helped me. I wasn't depressed, but rather demotivated.
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Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy + Venlafaxine & Mirtazapine (high dosage) got me through and out of a long period of suicidal and depressed feelings, took attempts on my life, discovered I’m bad at taking my own life, my very dark sense of humour returned, I survived and I recommend A.C.T., it rejigs your view of a huge chunk of your life. Be more kind to yourself, you are valuable.
mysterious(all pronouns) 1 year ago
Somewhere along the way, a switch flipped and I've realized that no one honestly cares all that much about my mistakes, and that that 90% of getting away with things is confidence. And I dress and act in ways that make me happy, and I've found a lot of great people who like me for who I am. While I have struggled with self harm, it's been months now since I've done that, and I'm feeling grest.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
Regular exercise literally saved my life. Oh, and remember that if you're happy being you then other people's opinions about it don't mattter.
DrBronxx 1 year ago
For me, it was leaving work at work. I used to let it stress me out all the time. When I wasn't working, I was thinking about it. My wife was constantly worried about me, to the point where she wouldn't tell me about her problems (unless they were really serious), because she didn't want to add to the load on my shoulders. In the last couple of years, however, I've realised that a job is just a job, and when I'm home, I'm *home*. My wife told me recently that I seem a lot happier and less stress. In short, I learned to compartmentalize.
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
My biggest mental health recovery came from accepting that I can in fact be myself. I stopped pretending I'm a guy (even if the upper set of ghoulies might have suggested as much) and fully embraced that I'm a woman. Spironolactone to stop testosterone production helped a lot too, that stuff was wrecking me physically, mentally and emotionally!
Oleander 1 year ago
I am a woman both biologically and spiritually. I have tried to imagine what it would be like to be me, but in a man's body. It's awful to think about...disorienting, frustrating, misaligned. I'm so glad you're not living that way anymore! Welcome to the girl's club, sis :)
Load More Replies... Stardust she/her 1 year ago
Reducing sugar and realising that I’m an egotistical person and that I have to work on it
Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago
That is a very big step you have taken. All the best to you.
Load More Replies... Scarlett 1 year ago
Letting me be me and not a silent people pleaser. So some people might not like that I’m a geek, so what? I stopped caring about that and bang, mental health got way better. Also, make good friends. They also helped a ton with that.
GreyWolfGirl 1 year ago
I want to stop people pleasing as well, but so far no luck
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 1 year ago
I would add to just learn to let things go. Keanu Reeves once said that once he hit 40, he just stopped wanting to argue anymore and it's totally true. 1+1 is 5? Sure...no problem. Good luck with that. The old me would have wanted to argue every point until I 'won' and maybe just wisdom and age have made me grow out of it, but I see so many people stressing out over the stupidest stuff. Fight for something important but let everything else drift by. I promise your life will be better for it.
Echo 1 year ago
I read it but god knows I won't do anything. I'ma just lie on my back somewhere and stare at the ceiling.
Sobri Kate 1 year ago
Reading up on executive dysfunction helped me. I wasn't depressed, but rather demotivated.
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy + Venlafaxine & Mirtazapine (high dosage) got me through and out of a long period of suicidal and depressed feelings, took attempts on my life, discovered I’m bad at taking my own life, my very dark sense of humour returned, I survived and I recommend A.C.T., it rejigs your view of a huge chunk of your life. Be more kind to yourself, you are valuable.
mysterious(all pronouns) 1 year ago
Somewhere along the way, a switch flipped and I've realized that no one honestly cares all that much about my mistakes, and that that 90% of getting away with things is confidence. And I dress and act in ways that make me happy, and I've found a lot of great people who like me for who I am. While I have struggled with self harm, it's been months now since I've done that, and I'm feeling grest.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
Regular exercise literally saved my life. Oh, and remember that if you're happy being you then other people's opinions about it don't mattter.
DrBronxx 1 year ago
For me, it was leaving work at work. I used to let it stress me out all the time. When I wasn't working, I was thinking about it. My wife was constantly worried about me, to the point where she wouldn't tell me about her problems (unless they were really serious), because she didn't want to add to the load on my shoulders. In the last couple of years, however, I've realised that a job is just a job, and when I'm home, I'm *home*. My wife told me recently that I seem a lot happier and less stress. In short, I learned to compartmentalize.
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