Four ways to freshen up your mental health routine and check in with yourself

Mental Health and Spring

By Kaleigh Chiasson

Each year like clockwork, the days slowly start to get longer. Little by little, the temperature starts to climb. Those fresh green buds and flowers start to emerge: Spring has Sprung!

As we see fresh new beginnings in the environment around us, it is motivating to bring some of that fresh clean air into our homes and day-to-day life. Have you ever thought about taking that same approach with your mental health?

Spring cleaning for the mind

Staying home and staying distant this past year, individual mental health needs have most certainly become more of a priority. Oftentimes, access to resources is not meeting individual health needs.

In this short article, I am going to share with you my most accessible, relatively quick and easy ways to freshen up your ‘Mental Health Routine’, do a bit of a check in with your own thought patterns, and top it all off with a few inspiring resources to further engage you on your personal journey.

Freshen up your mental health routine

Think about your THINKING. Yes, you read that right. Take some time to actually take stock of your thoughts. Can you spot any cycles or patterns you may fall into? Do certain things often frustrate you or trigger you on a daily basis? Start to take note.
Pay attention to what you are paying attention to. Where you devote your time and energy is what will grow. This can be for the better or for the worse. Is what you are paying attention to GOOD for you? Does it deplete you or empower you?
Take some time to write down the kind of life you really want to live or achieve. If that sounds overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks. What does your ideal day look like? What kind of tasks or activities in your ideal day would energize and excite you? Is it possible to include small pieces of them into your current day?
My last tip, and possibly the most important one: Focus on what you are LEARNING. Many things happen beyond our control and oftentimes they aren’t idyllic. Take a global pandemic for example. The way others behave, rules are created and enforced or the economy shifts. Once you bring awareness, you can start to bring your focus towards what the situation has taught you. Try thinking about what you have learned from the situation and how that lesson can improve your life moving forward.

Become Unstuck

One of the very few things we do have control over is our ATTITUDE. When I start to feel stuck in a situation, thought pattern or feeling, I try to move towards a form of creativity or expression. Have you ever considered that the opposite of depression is expression? Expression through movement, home decor and organization, and gardening are a few of my favourite ways to feel unstuck.

Kind of like the seasons that begin and end. With every ending is a new beginning. A new chance to get outside and watch the crocuses bloom and the dead and dormant trees bud fresh new life.

Inspiring Resources

If you like more thought-provoking conversations like this, here are a few of my favourite resources:

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
UnTamed by Glennon Doyle
The Gift by Dr. Edith Eger
The Calling by Rha Goddess
Oprah Winfrey Super Soul Podcast

Kaleigh Chiasson currently lives in Halifax N.S., with her husband, two-year old son, and their loyal pets, dog Lenny and cat Lucy. Kaleigh’s background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Applied Health Services Research, and 10+ years as a Personal Fitness Trainer and Lifestyle Coach. In her free time Kaleigh enjoys playing with her son and pets and exploring outdoors, cooking, reading, and pilates.