older man working with a saw

We live in a world ruled by busyness — constantly juggling the responsibilities of home, work, and relationships, running from one errand to the next. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the responsibilities of day-to-day life.

But did you know that budgeting time for self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy?

Take these small steps to make self-care a little bit easier.

  • Build self-care into your routine. It is okay to take breaks. Each week, take a few timeouts to reduce stress and improve your well-being. What makes you happy? Schedule time in your day to enjoy the activities you love. Do something you loved to do as a kid. Do something on your activity wish list. Add it to your calendar.
  • Focus on the basics. Eat nutrient-rich foods, be active, and get enough sleep. Your physical health is closely connected to your mental health. Taking care of your body improves your mental wellness and helps you support the people you love.
  • Set small goals. It can be hard to build self-care into your routine. Focus on small, daily tasks like taking a 15-minute walk, journaling for 10 minutes, or spending short bursts of time working on a hobby. Have a tough conversation to set a boundary. Walk away from your phone for an hour.

Explore 4YourMentalHealth.org to learn more about what you can do to take care of yourself #4YourMentalHealth.

What do you do to balance your mental health? Share your story with us!

Crisis Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-468-4357 (1-800-GOT-HELP) or by dialing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988.