20 Easy Ways to Take Care of Your Mind

You care about others. Why not take care of yourself too?

Small acts of self-care each day can create real change from the inside out. When times are tough, take a moment for yourself and acknowledge what’s happening. That small pause gives you room so you don’t get overwhelmed.

You show the people you love attention and kindness. Give some of that back to yourself, just because you deserve it. Taking time for yourself might feel strange at first, but being kinder to yourself can leave you happier than you’ve been in a long time.

So next time you’re having an off day, try three steps. Recognize your emotions, own them freely, and do one small kind thing for yourself today.

20 simple ways to be kinder to your mind

1. List your positive qualities

Make a list of your positive qualities and refer to it often. Even on days you’re beating yourself up, you can remember some good things about yourself.

2. Give yourself time to recover

Give yourself time to recover from mistakes before judging yourself too harshly. You wouldn’t scold someone else for having a bad day, so cut yourself some slack.

3. Find an outlet for negative feelings

If you’re angry or upset, write in a journal or go for a run to clear your head, then turn your attention to something else.

4. Remember that self-care isn’t selfish

Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. Caring for yourself gives you more energy to care for others.

5. Redirect the energy you spend on self-criticism

Notice how much energy you put toward criticizing yourself, and spend that time on loving yourself instead.

6. Don’t let other people define you

You can learn from others, but don’t let their negative opinions shape how you see yourself. You’re the one who lives with you.

7. Remember that everyone makes mistakes

The people in your life care about you, flaws and all. Loving someone is more about accepting them at their worst than expecting perfection.

8. Give yourself credit

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. It’s easy to focus on the negative when you’re in a rut.

9. Avoid absolutes

When you talk about yourself, avoid absolutes. Saying “I’m not great at cooking yet” is very different from saying “I will never be a good cook.”

10. Consider the context

Other people may see your supposed flaws without much context. Someone who seems frustrated with you might not understand the pressure you’re under.

11. Use positive self-talk

Positive self-talk is essential for your mental health and happiness. Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a good friend.

12. Look at yourself from a new angle

Look at your good qualities and actions from a fresh perspective, and you might realize that your flaws don’t seem nearly as bad.

13. Notice who hears your self-criticism

Pay attention to how often you speak negatively about yourself and to whom. The people who care about you don’t want to hear you put yourself down.

14. Acknowledge your successes

Keep a list near your bed or in your bag of things you’re proud of, even small ones. When your inner critic takes over during a sleepless night, read it and remind yourself that you’re doing well. Mistakes are just part of growing and learning.

15. Learn from mistakes before judging them

No one is perfect. Give yourself time to reflect on an error before deciding how you feel about it. If you could have handled something better, write down what you would do differently next time, and then let it go.

16. Practice mindfulness

Self-critical people tend to take things personally. Mindfulness helps you pause and see a situation clearly. If someone makes a comment about your outfit, is it really about you, or are they just having a bad day?

17. Remember that everyone is doing their best

People make mistakes and say things they don’t mean because of stress or personal problems. Give others the benefit of the doubt, and give yourself the same grace.

18. Remember that everyone is struggling with something

You don’t know everything about other people, and they don’t know everything about you. Try not to judge yourself by comparing your inside to someone else’s outside.

19. Let people help you

Accept the love and support of others rather than pushing them away. Even if you feel no one understands, letting people in can help you heal. Let them remind you that you are a good person.

20. Stop comparing yourself to others

If your self-criticism comes from not living up to someone else’s standards, it may be time to let those standards go. Your worth isn’t measured by your accomplishments, and you’re doing the best you can.

The bottom line

Have the courage to say no when something isn’t right for you. Take time out of your day just for yourself, even if it’s only 10 minutes. Spend less time worrying about what other people think and more time being proud of who you are.

Be gentle with yourself when things aren’t going well so they don’t spiral, and take care of your mental health first. Life is full of ups and downs, and living through them can make us stronger.