“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.”

Taking care of your mental health is a never-ending, non-linear journey.

Issa Rae greets Yvonne Orji with a smile as Yvonne holds a yoga mat. The text on the image reads "Self-Care Sunday!" followed by "insecure HBO"

So when Reddit useru/Medical_Method7877asked, “What massively improved your mental health?”

I was all ears because I’m always looking for ways to be kind to my body and mind.

Here are some of the best answers:

1.“Gardening!

Person planting flowers in a pot on a wooden table with gardening tools and a coffee mug nearby

Bonus for also growing my own food along the way.”

u/DeepLoveCutie

2.

“Accepting and embracing the side of life that sucks.

A hand holding a smartphone with floating notifications from Isabella, Ramsey, Jonathan, and Katherine. Notifications include likes, comments, and reactions

Loneliness, despair, failure they’re coming and going just like good things.”

u/Darkosaurus94

3.

I didn’t realize how much that app impacted me until deleting it and getting my time back.

A woman in swimwear and a swim cap is smiling while holding onto pool handrails, emerging from the water in a swimming pool

Now my anxiety levels have also decreased."

u/cvs_dominates

4.

There is no ‘best.’

A person sits cross-legged on a bedroom floor, hands over their heart, appearing reflective. Behind them is a bed with green linens and framed art on the wall

That is what set me free."

u/cancuws

5.

“It sucks at how well exercise works.

A woman sits on the floor, leaning against a cardboard box, enjoying a cup of coffee. She is surrounded by unpacked boxes and books

I used to hate my mom telling me that exercise would reduce my depression but she was absolutely right.

The issue is that when youre really depressed, its the last thing you feel like doing.

But nothing else has as much of a positive effect on my mental state as regular exercise.”

A person enjoying a shower, smiling with closed eyes, hands in their hair, with water streaming down and greenery seen on the tiled wall

u/exoticconstable

6.

Life is too short to drag other people’s baggage with you."

u/No-Nail7754

7.

A pair of hands, one holding a paintbrush, are painting a serene sky with clouds on a canvas

“Practicing gratitude deliberately.

Before falling asleep, I began thinking of three distinct things I was thankful for every night.

I didn’t even write them down just took five seconds to reflect on three things.

A man holding a cardboard box filled with groceries and smiling outdoors, standing in front of blurred trees and a building

Simply doing this every night for several months completely changed my mood.

u/MrPBsErica

8.

“People severely underestimate what a tremendous impact sleep has on your day, productivity, and mood.

Mae Whitman as Annie Marks in a Good Girls scene, pointing with the text "Find yourself a good therapist" at the bottom

If only I’d realized this in my teens.”

u/KitchenAggressive596

9.

“Moving away from toxic family.”

u/Missgrumpy00

10.

“Regularly taking breaks helps my mental clarity.”

u/scooterhitman7

11.

“Having a routine.

u/KindDeparture4328

12.

“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.”

u/Prestigious_Target86

13.

“Hobbies have become a source of joy and relaxation for me.”

u/kmpatriciadeborahpo

14.

“Being kind to myself has made a significant impact.”

u/hfxBrownLindaoabzh

15.

“Volunteering has given me a renewed sense of purpose!”

u/xPatriciaMaryfrco

16.

“Learning to manage time has better reduced my stress.”

u/twNancyLopezm

17.And finally, “For me it’s therapy.

It takes work, but having an objective professional in your corner makes a world of difference.”

u/its_hammer_time

Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.