What are the best self-care practices to improve mental health?

Listen, I've tried pretty much everything out there - some stuff worked like magic, other things were total flops. Here's what actually helped me get my life together:

Here's something that blew my mind: putting my phone away for just one hour a day made such a massive difference. At first, I was like, "What am I supposed to do, stare at the wall?" But turns out, my brain actually needed that break from the constant notifications and drama.

Okay, real talk - I used to think mental health was just about positive vibes and bubble baths. Boy, was I wrong! It wasn't until I had a total breakdown in the middle of Target (yep, right there in the home decor aisle) that I realized I needed to get serious about taking care of myself.

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Sleep is huge, you guys. Like, game-changing huge. I was that person who'd scroll TikTok until 3 AM and then wonder why I felt like a zombie the next day. Now I'm all about my nighttime chill routine - cozy socks, my favorite trashy reality TV show, and these [PRODUCT_HERE] that my sister kept raving about. Not kidding, I wake up feeling like a whole new person.

The biggest change though? Finally getting off my butt and joining a local running group. I know, I know - past me would've laughed too. But hanging out with actual humans instead of just liking their Instagram posts? Total mood boost.

Just remember: baby steps count. You don't have to transform your life overnight. Start small, keep it real, and be nice to yourself along the way. Trust me, you've got this!

Hi, I’m Jo. My best friend died 2 years ago today. My husband died 6 months later. So, I’m a depressed mess (we were married 28 years) and can’t shake it. Even my Brother is worried. Some days I don’t do anything, and avoid men cause I don’t want to date. Any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

Look, some days I'm all about morning meditation and green juice. Other days, I'm eating mac and cheese straight from the pot while watching cat videos. And you know what? Both are totally fine! Mental health isn't about being perfect - it's about finding what works for you and just rolling with it.

And guys, can we talk about learning to say no? Like, just straight-up "no" without making up some crazy story about why you can't go to that thing you don't want to go to? It feels SO good.