Mental health matters. Self-care matters. Most of us always have a cell phone within reaching distance. I want to help you turn your cell phone into a self-care tool for your mental health.

Self-care is a broad term, it can be defined as something we do that tends to our mental, emotional, and/or physical health. Broad, right? When you hear “self-care” you probably think of showering, drinking water, and going to therapy — all wonderful forms of self-care. But in this post I’m focusing on enjoyment, because enjoyment is its own spectacular form of self-care.

Please keep in mind, self-care and what we need for our mental health can change daily. What we are capable of accomplishing can change daily, and that’s absolutely okay. Adapting to meet what we need is important. It’s nice to have self-care tools on my phone. It’s simple self-care that is always within my reach. So, here are some of the self-care resources you can find on my phone…

Yoga with Adriene

Adriene provides high quality practices on yoga and mindfulness at no cost. I visit her YouTube channel and practice her yoga videos daily. Her videos are easy to follow and extremely enjoyable. Adriene approaches her yoga videos with charm, a fun sense of humor, and a welcoming playfulness that makes me feel happy and comfortable daily. I always feel better after doing Yoga with Adriene. It helps my mind and my body. She has many daily plans and free yoga videos to pick from. You can learn more about Adriene by visiting her website and her YouTube channel.

“Yoga offers up a way for us to see a world that is working for you instead of against you. Yoga reminds me that everything is connected so we must live, act, breathe with awareness.” -Adriene

Watch Clearwater Marine Aquarium Live Webcams

I love watching marine life live. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a unique organization specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick or injured marine animals. You probably know Winter; the star of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, this is where she lives. Watching Clearwater’s webcams is relaxing and fun. I check on all the animals, daily. There is something truly therapeutic about watching otters play and dolphins swim around. You can learn about the animals at CMA and watch their animals 24/7 using their webcams.

Meditate with Headspace

Headspace is a guided meditation tool. I turn to Headspace when I have trouble easing my mind. It gives me an opportunity to process my overwhelming thoughts. Headspace offers a free Basics course so you can learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. If you enjoy it, you can pay to subscribe. You’ll get access to hundreds of meditations on everything from stress to sleep. You can find headspace online and in the app store.

“Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well.” -Headspace

Read Comics on DC Universe

I love having digital copies of comics on my phone. It prevents me from defaulting to social networks and aimlessly scrolling through content that might be stressful or confrontational. It allows me to focus on something intentional that is fun, relaxing, and creative. I use DC Universe so I can access a catalogue of DC Comics anyplace and anytime. It’s truly wonderful for my mental health. Also, at times when I’m too tired to read new content, I can simply view comic art that brings me peace and calmness.

DC Universe has much more than just comics. It is a full streaming service that also includes original television programming, access to animated series and DC films, and much more… It’s totally cool. Additionally, it has an encyclopedia of DC characters that offers spectacular reference materials.

Listen to a Playlist 

Music is the most effective item in my phone’s mental health tool kit. I have a variety of playlists on my phone for different situations and emotions. I have a depression playlist of slow music that helps me feel understood. I have a second depression playlist of upbeat music that gives me strength and self-confidence. I have a playlist for anxiety and mania that helps calm me down and alleviate my anxiety. I also have fun playlists that help me enjoy my day. My favorite is my “Dog Dance Party” playlist, I play it and have fun dance parties with my dogs.

There is something truly remarkable about music. Music can comfort us at hard times and make us feel understood. Music can meet us during good times and make us feel strong. Do you have music that does this for you? Make playlists on your phone of music that could help you in certain situations.

Moving forward

The self-care resources listed in this post work for me, they are not universal. We are all gloriously different so my self-care strategies might not work for you. Although I sincerely hope some of them do. The goal is this — put things on your phone that can benefit your mental health.

You deserve self-care. You deserve enjoyment!

Some of these resources are free while some cost money. I haven’t been asked to share any of these. I don’t have a partnership with any of these resources, and I have nothing to gain by advertising. These are simply resources that I use often and enjoy.

I’m not a mental health expert or medical professional. I can’t offer medical advice and I’m not trained to help you in a crisis situation. I sincerely care about you and I want to help. I’ve created a directory of mental health resources, check it out. You matter.

What’s your favorite self-care? Do you have self-care on your cell phone? Tell me about it in the comments.

Sincerely, Elizabeth
Uncustomary Housewife