Diet and hydration are both crucial to your mental health. If you want to feel good, put good foods into your body! Don't overload on sugar and caffeine, especially if you

are prone to anxiety, as these substances will increase that anxiety in your body! Get a water app on your phone that will let you know how much water

you have had each day and how much you need drink to have the proper amount! 

Hobbies are a great way to clear your head and have something to feel proud of and excited for. My hobbies are hiking, writing, and playing guitar. Yours could be

dancing, doing yoga, or even reading books! Hobbies don't have to cost money, but if you do have extra money to spend, consider joining a tennis club or a rock climbing

gym. Having a hobby is a great way to better your mental health.

Journalling is an easy way to let your heart pour out before it gets too heavy. Put on some music you like and write your feelings away. If you don't

know where to start, start with a stream of consciousness writing each journal session. Set your phone for one minute and just write down every word or sentence that comes to your

mind. For example: You may start with the word "writing," go to the word "ink," head to the word "tattoo," then somehow you are writing words about the man you love

who has a tattoo. It's a great way to get your mind thinking and to jump into your daily writing session. 

I'm the person who says "yes" to everything, just because I don't want to let anyone down. For your mental health's sake, learn to say "no." There's no reason to be

weighing your life down with things that you don't have time or the strength for. Eventually, you may be in a place where you can say "yes," but for now

if you want to say "no," please don't say "yes." Practice saying no in a polite way. "I'm so sorry but this time I can't help out."

Nothing is more freeing than screaming to the world "I am not perfect!" Maybe you struggle with anxiety, bipolar disorder, or frequent panic attacks, but once you start talking to others about your

mental health you will feel more at peace. Chances are your neighbor, friend for four years, or coworker is struggling with the same thing. Mental illnesses are common and affect a

plethora of people. Talking about it is going to help you get support and also come to peace with the illness you do have. I also find that talking about mental

health actually helps me feel more in control of my own mental health. 

I am convinced that every person in this world could benefit from talking to a therapist. Therapy has a bad reputation because we tell ourselves "that's not for me." We hold

therapy to be only for people who "really need it." Therapy is an amazing way to talk through your cluttered brain with someone who is trained to help you! You won't

always come out of therapy with a mental illness diagnosis (like many people think), but you will always come out feeling relieved and happy to have some thoughts sorted out! Check

with your insurance and see what kind of therapy they cover. If mental health is not in your coverage, try looking into bigger universities in your area, as many offer

very low price sessions to meet with graduate students.

Self-love is an extremely important love. Don't be too hard on yourself. Forgive yourself often. Know that you will be a better person tomorrow than you are today! We are constantly

growing and if we love ourself along the way, we will be able to better ourselves everyday. Practice self-love by looking in the mirror and seeing your beauty, not just

your flaws. Take yourself out to dinner, buy yourself that shirt you wanted! Self-love is an important love because without it you may have a hard time accepting any other love.

Know that where you are today is not where you will be tomorrow! Take time to write down your goals and get started checking things off your list. Believe in what

you want to accomplish. You may have a huge goal, but a huge goal can be accomplished with very small steps!