In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, May's intention reminds us to check in with ourselves and others. The challenges of living in the modern world are enough to overwhelm anyone. Not sure where to start? From books to baths, here are some resources and recommendations for how to take care you your body and your mind.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk
What distinguishes this book is that the author is both a scientific researcher with a long history of measuring the effect of trauma on brain function, memory, and treatment outcomes, and an active therapist who keeps learning from his patients what benefits them most. This makes for deeply personal, analytic, and highly readable (not to mention incredibly moving) approach to the topic of trauma recovery.
Pursoma Bath Soaks
We are obviously biased, but our soaks didn't get a cult following for not being effective. Whether you are looking for a digital detox or just want to relax before bedtime and promote healthy sleep, our sea salt bath soaks the all-natural, clean, mineral-rich alternative to your grandma's epsom bath. Don't have a bathtub? No worries; our shower-friendly options (dry brush, body polishes, clay mud masks) and our after-bath oils and body butter will leave your skin sooooo smooth.
Guide to Well-Being
Well+Good tapped some of our favorite health and wellness leaders to create the Mental Well-Being Challenge, a 31-day action plan to help you trust yourself, cope with stress, thrive at work, and show up for your community.
Calm Meditation App
This wildly popular app is stocked with guided meditations to help improve sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and generally support you on your mindfulness journey.
NAMI
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to learn more about mental health. Their comprehensive offerings include basic education about mental illnesses, lists of signs and symptoms to be mindful of, local NAMI centers in your state, and statistical data and research. You can even donate directly via the website to support their ongoing mission.
Bust Out the Journal
Journaling seems like a drag, but once you try it, you'll learn how productive it can be to get your thoughts out of your head and down on paper. Whether you're goal-setting, venting, or trying to keep track of your daily moods and feelings - don't sleep on this age old approach to taking care of yourself. Check out our founder's take on how her journal helps her set intentions and see them through.
