On Mental Health Habits
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an effort that focuses on mental wellness, encourages community support, and reduces stigmas around mental illness.
Today, I thought it would be the perfect time to check in with our own state of mental well-being. Ask yourself how you are doing — really doing. Whether mental health challenges are part of your own story or you’re just hoping to feel a little lighter today, this edition of The Mindful Edit Newsletter and Podcast are for you.
On the podcast and in our Try It section below, I outline five simple, research-backed ways to improve your mental well-being that you can put into practice this week — all with things you likely already have at home, and all under 5 minutes each. I hope you’ll try one and tell me how it goes for you.
Be well this May,
Annette Furio
Founder, Season Journals
Listen to the Mindful Edit Podcast
S1E9: Mental Health Month: 5 Simple, Science-Backed Habits for Everyday Well-Being is now available on:
Write It
Journal Prompts
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What is something good that happened today?
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What was one small action that a friend, loved one, or community member took that brightened my day recently? Why was it special?
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What will I do tomorrow to take care of my mental health?
See the list of ideas in the Try It section below. -
Who can I reach out to for support on my mental health journey, or who might need support that I can offer them?
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Where have I seen or felt a glimmer of hope recently?
Say It
Affirmations
I give myself space to pause, breathe, and reset.
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I notice what’s good and let it ground me in gratitude.
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Even the smallest mindful moment impacts me positively.
Try It
Action Items
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re focusing on small, everyday practices that can make a meaningful difference in how you feel. These practices are simple, but when done consistently, they can support emotional well-being, reduce stress, and help you feel more grounded day to day.
Here are five simple ways to support your mental well-being:
1. Slow your breath
Just a few minutes of intentional, slower breathing can help calm your body and mind. Aim for 5-6 breaths per minute.
2. Practice gratitude
Write down 2 specific things you’re grateful for to gently shift your focus toward abundance and positivity in your life.
3. Do something kind
Doing a small act of kindness for someone else can foster a greater sense of belonging, purpose, and well-being. Share a smile or a kind word.
4. Try positive journaling
Spend a few minutes writing about something meaningful, uplifting, or something that went well today in your Everyday Positive Journal.
5. Use affirmations
Repeat a simple, supportive statement to yourself for more encouraging inner dialogue. Write it on an Affirmation Note and put it somewhere visible so you can reference and reinforce the thought.
Explore It
Resources & Links
Affirmations for More Good Days (PDF) — Mental Health America
More Good Days Together: A virtual wellness experience (Event) — Wednesday, May 20th — Mental Health America
Making a Meaningful Contribution Boosts Mental Health (Article) — Cornell University
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