HOW TO CREATE A MENTAL HEALTH CHECKLIST
When I was in recovery, I started a checklist like this. I knew if I went too many days without checking too many boxes, I’d end up binging. I still keep a list like this. It changes from time to time, but this is what mine currently looks like...
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1. Movement. It can be as simple as a walk or dancing to a song...but if I don’t move the emotions that get stored in my body... I can’t expect to feel good.
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2. Time outdoors. This is important for a multitude (of obvious reasons) but most notably, grounding (get your feet on the earth and if its too cold out…hands on on a tree trunk or rocks), fresh air can always do wonders for our system, and lastly there is the added benefit of being away from our screens.
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3. Connection. This one is the hardest for me to check off my list these days. Voice notes from friends help …sometimes it’s simply the brief chat I have with the baristas at my local coffee shop. But human connection is KEY. This was probably one of the most important lessons I learned in recovery. That human connection was NEEDED in order to heal. It filled a part of me that food could not and as much as I didn’t like to admit it, I needed people in my life.
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4. Water. An oddly important one for me. Half the time feeling low/lethargic can be remedied with more water. The physical body is always going to impact our mental state (its not always the other way around).
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5. What’s a “soul moment” ?
This is my own concept. A soul moment is a moment within my day where I felt joy/happiness/awe/gratitude/grace. Im always on the hunt for these or thinking how I can create one.
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6. Visualization. I try to remind myself as often as I can of the vision I have for my life/the world. We can easily get carried away with the state of affairs right now - but where are you going? What do you wish things looked like instead? Hold on to that vision.
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What would be on your list....What do you know you need to try and have/experience/do daily to ensure you stay mentally healthy?
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If you feel inspired make your own, and my hope is that you start to string together some more “good days” which we could all use more of right now 🤍✨
