What do you do to keep yourself mentally healthy?

[Bokyongyo]

I know a lot of us use drawing as a healthy output for keeping us happy in the grand scheme of things but wanted to know other things everyone does to just keep a positive mind and outlook on things

For me I like to exercise and just go outside even if it's just for a walk, feel like afterwards my mind is clearer to process and do whatever thing needs to be done. Other things I do is I try to write ideas I have regarding my comic but more often I don't actually work on my comic if I'm feeling down in any sense

[Wocalich]

Listen to music, walk, sleep(this last one is for when I don't have energy to do anything else)

[igneriss]

Okay so I'm still working on it, but here's some things I try to do:

• prioritize real life over a tasks list : I am one of those people who have VERY long to-do lists and actually use them. However, because of that I felt quilty when meeting friends etc because I wasn't working (working on my hobbies, because I tend to turn my hobbies into chores; sounds stupid but it's really hard to unlearn). I'm trying to make a switch here- it's okay to do nothing from the list and just meet with friends on a daily basis;

• taking long walks, especially in less crowded areas; I try to discover new places in the neighbourhood and was really surprised to find some I didn't know about despite living here since I can remember;

• taking a break is fine;

• cooking / baking! it's actually quite calming and relaxing! ... and then there's an additional prize in a form of food.

[Ordinaryaverageguy]

Who said I was mentally healthy? It's a scurrilous libel and I will not stand for it!

[DarkChibiShadow]

Honestly, therapy is really helpful. It has helped me more than anything else, and has helped all of my friends more than anything else too. (Aside from just, medication, money, and stability.)

If you don't have insurance, most doctor's office have a "student" counselor or therapist who is fresh out of school and training RIGHT before they become actual doctors, so that means they work for free and cannot charge for their services. They still know their stuff, it just has to be free. They are usually gonna have something or another you need to start improving. If you're REALLY struggling, you probably need a specialist, but if you have mild GAD or Depression or another mild issue, it could be a really good first step.

Good luck!

[VibrantFox]

[camille777]

Listening to music, dancing, shopping

[GumshoeComix]

Therapy of course then i have art therapy 2 times a week
I try to keep up and practice my coping skills, I've found scrapbooking and making collages to be REALLY fun cause you're really just making an artsy list of things you like, and its nice to look back at them like "yea there's good in this world and I like stuff it's not all bad"

Take breaks, not just for your mental health but your physical health
And not just in your comic but your daily life.

Drink water (I know it's basically a meme, roll your eyes if you want) you'd be surprised at how much cutting a little sugar out can help you feel, just eating healthier feels nice.
(honestly just paying attention to your physical health helps a lot)
I only have juice and candy on the weekends now cause it makes them feel like more of a treat.

Have goals for the future
this one's fairly recent for me but since I never finished highschool I'm gonna try to get my GED and go to college while working on my comics ;w;
I think I'll have time with how big my backlog is.

[GesuGesu]

Have a lot of work to do so I don't end up overthinking things.

Exercise and eat well.

Remind myself that no one thinks about me as much as I do, so don't worry what others think.

I do all that I want to be satisfied in life, and satisfaction doesn't mean the same as success.

[Questionable_Liquid]

Gamers eat food? You learn things everyday

[Pony_wearing_a_hat]

Hula hooping! I have this exercise hoop that weighs a couple pounds, It's pretty good exercise and hooping around to music (mostly show-tunes in my case) is a really good stress reliever. It also looks stupid as all hell, but that just ads to the expel of stress.

[stiatent]

When not working on art: Music jam or karaoke with friends, paying videogames and everything else similar to what @GesuGesu said above, exercise keep healthy, keep active so my mind never drifts into wasteful thought

@Pony_wearing_a_hat that's awesome with the hula hooping and exercise

[Bokyongyo]

Good luck on getting your GED; and definitely having something to work toward and plan for can really ease a lot of the mental worries. It’s like it just keeps your mind occupied and not in a constant state of nothing and overthinking

[GumshoeComix]

Yea, it also gives you goals whether longterm or short-term so you have a reason to keep pushing forward.

[fleurravenbooks]

i am really and by that i mean REALLY stressed, so i like to take long walks, read something "dumb" (you know just to take your mind off things, nothing too deep), i love to run a bubble bath and put face masks.... And to be honest little things really can help you.
OH i almost forgot scented candles

[fleurravenbooks]

now these things won't heal any mental illness but it can help with stress

[mrtoontastic]

GAMING. Lots of gaming.

Fast Gaming, Slow Gaming, Hardcore Gamer Gaming, Competitive Gaming, GTA GAMING, TF2 GAMING, Platformer Gaming, Tony Hawk Gaming, Burnout Gaming, Need for Speed Gaming, Restaurant Empire GAMING

It helps keep my life in check...

[ar-ninetysix]

..Music's my main thing for a reason lmao

[wispysing]

I've been attending yoga classes as of late. They actually helped me to some degree. Plus, the muscle cramps that come afterward serve as a welcome distraction for my anxiety