Some products really will make a positive difference in your daily mental health. Having the necessary coping skills can make living with mental health issues and illnesses MUCH easier — so here are some of my favorites!
All of these things have made a positive difference in my life, and I notice a massive positive difference in how it affects my ability to manage my mental wellness, in addition to life in general. Mix and match from the list below, and find a combination that really works for you and makes the most positive difference in your life. Your mental health matters, and your overall health, wellness, and happiness matter.
I believe in you, I am rooting for you, and I know that you can achieve your dreams and goals so long as you keep showing up.
So, without further ado, here are my 14 favorite things that make a positive difference in life with mental health illnesses and issues:
Disclosure: ATSO is a participant in affiliate advertising programs that help us fund our mental health advocacy mission. Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, we will earn a commission on purchases made using our link. Thank you!
1. Therapy (virtual or in person) with a therapist, psychologist, and/or psychiatrist.
Photo of a young woman in virtual talk therapy via iStock
Therapy and mental health consultations with a therapist, psychologist, and/or psychiatrist are very positive and healthy things. The key is to find someone who really works for you, specializes in your area of concern/focus, and is someone who you feel comfortable opening up to. This is one of the most important positive differences you can make!
Finding a new doctor can seem daunting, but there are multiple helpful sites I like to use for finding a new mental health care provider(s) near me! Check out the “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)” section on the About page for the links to find a mental healthcare provider near you.
2. Your meds, or as I like to call them, happy pills.
It’s okay if you need meds every day graphic by ATSO
Remember to take your meds! Taking medicine every day does not necessarily mean that you are sick, especially if you have to take pills every day to support your daily function. Try thinking of your medicine instead as vitamins, or mood boosters.
The point is that medicine is there to help you, and there is no shame at all in needing daily medication, especially when it makes a positive difference. I take antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotics daily, have done so for years, and I am very thankful for them!
3. Frozen food (fruits & veggies too!).
Photo of frozen food with a smiley via iStock
Frozen food is a big positive difference maker, because at least from my personal experiences with mental health, oftentimes I buy a lot of food with the full intention of cooking and eating it all. But then, it’s out of sight, out of mind, or I end up not being that hungry that week, and/or the food goes bad and spoils. And then I’m hit with food-waste guilt.
Make a positive difference for yourself and your grocery bill by buying and making freezer-friendly foods. Freezing something extends the amount of time it is safe to eat, and allows you to keep many food and drink options on hand for any given moment! This makes a big positive difference when it comes to managing your mental health and being wallet-friendly since it can help you save money instead of ordering delivery.
4. The freezer in general.
Photo of frozen food in freezer via iStock
You can freeze almost anything: soup, veggies, meat, pizzas, snacks, smoothie supplies, vegan food, and many meals also come frozen. All you need is a microwave or oven to heat them up.
So in anticipation of those days when you won’t want to make anything, buy yourself some frozen meals that make you happy and are easy to heat up and make in a moment.
Filling your freezer more fully also helps it run more efficiently, which can help you save money on utility bills!
5. Canned food and ramen.
Photo of ramen block by Markus Winkler via Unpslash.com
Canned food and ramen are great supplies for when you want to throw together a yummy meal with minimal effort. Make sure to also embrace those frozen veggies and foods, as this can widen your food options.
One of my latest favorite meals to make is to drop an egg into a pot of water, put it on heat, add ramen, plus some canned or frozen veggies to the pot, and in a few minutes, I have a complete meal! Feel free to add dumplings, kimchi, hot sauce, or whatever else makes you happy.
6. A rice cooker.
Photo of a black rice cooker via Amazon.com
Having easy and reliable food to cook is a very important support factor when it comes to living with mental health issues and illnesses. Having appliances like a rice cooker allows you to cook your food, or at least most of your food, without actually having to do any of the cooking. It is such a positive difference maker, especially since you can also steam vegetables in some models. This way you can make an entire meal at the touch of a button that will be ready for you in 30 minutes.
Add equal parts water and equal parts rice, and you’re all set! Check out my other blog post here for my favorite, easy-to-make mental health comfort meals and recipes.
7. A crockpot.
Photo of meal in a crockpot or slow cooker by sumnersgraphicsinc via iStock.
Crockpots are especially great for those days when you know you are going to come home very tired. You can add all the ingredients to the crockpot the night before or in the morning, put it on low heat, and in 6-8 hours, have a perfectly cooked meal waiting for you. This can be a very helpful positive difference maker, and also you leave presents for future you.
Most crockpots also come with multiple heat settings, including a ‘keep warm’ setting, so if you need something faster, you can put it on higher heat for a shorter amount of time (2-4 hours).
8. A toaster.
Photo of silver toasters by Daniel Salgado via Unsplash.com
A toaster can take your sandwich from ‘yum’ to ‘oh my goodness this is a warm and crunchy piece of sandwich heaven’. Play around with toppings; add an egg, avocado, or other fruits and veggies to your toast. Sometimes I even like some nice warm toast and tea as a comfort meal. The toaster is an affordable positive difference maker. I got mine for only $4!
I sometimes struggle with eating breakfast, and the toaster really helps me make an easy meal I want to eat.
9. Lists (I know, I hated them too, but they really are so helpful).
Photo of shopping list by Torbjorn Helgesen via Unsplash.com
I’m sure I’m the 100th person to tell you this, but staying organized with lists really can make a big positive difference in your mental health.
I used to absolutely HATE lists, but writing everything down helps me remember everything (so long as I can find the list) and helps prevent any catastrophizing since I can see all of the to-do’s in front of me.
To customize the lists, I tend to break them into sections and keep them in a bullet journal and agenda book, which really works for me. They don’t need to be super clean or neat, so long as it works for you.
I recommend our customized priority planners! They are designed to be mental health friendly, I always use them, and their format is less anxiety-inducing than traditional list formats.
10. Buying in bulk for long-term need purchases.
Photo of backup pantry goods stored in repurposed jars by Joseph Anstice via iStock
Buying in bulk is great because it helps you prepare for any mental health slumps or dips in serotonin. This way, when those days where you can’t seem to even get out of bed come along, you have supplies to help you through the down period. This is a great long-term positive difference-maker for mental health.
When I am experiencing my depression, anxiety, and psychosis symptoms more severely, I am more easily overwhelmed and don’t want to leave the apartment. In these moments, I don’t really want to do anything at all.
But if I have food and backups of basic necessities, I don’t need to worry about making myself uncomfortable by worrying about to-do’s or dragging myself to the store. Buying in bulk is a great way to take care of future you, and your future mental health.
11. Charity work.
Photo of food bank exchange by Joel Muniz via Unsplash.com
When you do good, you feel good. Charity work is a great way to give back, help others, and feel more connected to the world and your community. It makes a positive difference for both you and others.
Try donating to Feeding America, where $1 provides 10 meals for those in need, or volunteering at your local food bank.
Check out ATSO’s “Share The Love” section for more charities and connections to ways to help!
12. Candles, incense, and/or scent boosters.
Photo of candles in a cozy atmosphere by Rebecca Peterson-Hall via Unsplash.com
Candles, incense, and crystals can help create a positive, welcoming, and cozy environment. It is important to make your space a comforting place where you feel safe and can recharge. Creating a constant calming space is one of the biggest positive difference makers for your daily mental health.
Creating a calming atmosphere and filling the air with amazing scents is a great way to take care of your mental health and wellness.
13. A pet or plant (or crystals!).
Photo of Stella, our adopted 11 year-old black and white cat, taking a nap on the bed, taken by Sara (ATSO)
Pets, plants, and crystals are great for your mental health! Having a pet is a great way to add some daily serotonin to your life, and they can truly become like a little best friend. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a cute and loving animal to snuggle with. You can also make a positive difference in your new furry friend’s life, especially if you adopt from a shelter!
Not an animal person? No problem! Try plants or crystals to see if one (or both) of those options fit your lifestyle better.
14. A sunshine or Himalayan salt lamp, plus other aesthetically pleasing lighting.
Photo of a Himalayan salt lamp by ATSO
Himalayan salt lamps can help provide anxiety relief, create a calmer atmosphere in your space, and overall help support your mental health and wellness. The lamp above is the one that we have, but they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A Himalayan salt lamp is both aesthetically pleasing and pleasing to your mental health.
Embrace other fun lighting fixtures and light strings to really customize your place into a space that feels best for you.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you have found these positive difference-makers for mental health helpful!
Always yours,
Sara, ATSO
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