5 Little Things that make a Big Difference for my Mental Health

Rain drops are racing themselves down my kitchen window. I am mesmerized. There seems to be no end to the water being released from the cloudburst. I sit and stare, betting on which streak will win, watching until it disappears, and then I choose another. The rain pours from the sky but I am in slow motion. I feel like I am moving through molasses. It’s my brain; it is sticky and sluggish today.

Taking medicine helps my depression and anxiety to not be so severe, yet I still have slow days. On these days I have a hard time focusing and making decisions. I don’t know what to do with myself or even where to begin my day. Important things fall through the cracks, and I worry about that. I wondered if there is something I can do to focus better and make each day more satisfying. What is the secret?

I thought about this question when I was at a friend’s house. She had bought a fig leaf tree, the same time I did. Hers was healthy; mine was losing leaves and looking deformed. I asked her what she did to have such a healthy house plant. I was thinking she must have a secret, like a special fertilizing formula only she knew about. She said, “I don’t know. I just water it a little bit every day.” This is unlike me who forgets to water until I see that a leaf has fallen. For the most part, I just dump a full pitcher of water on my tree now and then. This wasn’t helping.

That’s when I decided that the secret to feeling better wasn’t hidden. Maybe I am like the tree and instead of looking for one big and grand thing to do once in a while to help myself, I just need to be watered a little bit every day. God knows this is true and teaches us through scripture, “. . . behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”  Alma 37:6

Could this be the answer, to do small enriching things consistently every day? Could this change the trajectory of my day? I started to come up with ideas that I could do to help “water” myself. I knew I had to continue to take my medicine each day and get the right amount of sleep. Then in addition to this, I came up with five simple habits to make into a daily routine. I put the list in my calendar notebook to help remind myself of what I want to do. These small and simple habits implemented each day have become a powerful force in my life and have helped me manage my depressive illness in a big way.

5 ways I can “water” my days

1. Make my bed – This is something that my mom instilled in me. It helps me each morning to feel grounded. Starting my day in an orderly way, gives my brain structure. 
2. Pray – As I express gratitude to God, I feel joy.  And then as I petition Him for blessings, I feel His strength and guidance.
3. Move my body – Even a brisk 12-minute walk does a lot of good for my body and helps to awaken my brain. I also enjoy running and playing tennis.
4. Write out a simple “Can Do” list- This gives me a road map to follow. It feels good to cross things off and honor what I did get done.
5. Smile/Reach out – It is important for me to express love and feel connected to others. Even just smiling at someone or saying a kind word can make a connection.

As I cultivate these simple actions into daily habits, I live life more deliberately rather than by default. This helps to chase away chaos and brings satisfaction and goodness to me. I see how doing little things consistently makes a big difference in each day and ultimately in my life. Aristotle said it this way, ”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit.”

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I visited with a few friends about what small and simple things help them in a big way. They mentioned: taking a shower, sweeping the front porch, having a clean kitchen sink, putting on lipstick, listening to music, breathing deeply and eating chocolate.

What small things bring goodness into your day?

 

 

 

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