Self-Care Resources

Mental Health Education and Resources

• Education for Mental Health Conditions (A-Z): At Mind.org, we provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

• Your Brain’s 3 Emotion Regulation Systems: We know that the quality of the attachment bond between an infant and primary care giver shapes brain development and contributes to a person’s emotional regulation capacities (and this in turn influences relationship difficulties that they may encounter in adulthood – with others and with the Self). Similarly, we know that exposure to adverse events and toxic stressors in childhood play a role in brain development, coping skills, and resilience. Finally, it is important to appreciate how both of these factors relate to our Window of Tolerance, which is loosely defined as the zone of arousal in which we are able to function most effectively given the demands of every day life. 

• The Mental Health Benefits of Nature: Nature is exceptionally good for BOTH our mental and physical health. Regular mindful exposure to naturalistic stimuli (including Nature Sounds, and calming Nature Imagery) is an evidenced-based Self-Care strategy with a solid physiological backing: Nature has powerfully soothing and restorative effects that can bring soothing and balance to our nervous systems and it can promote and facilitate recovery from both physiological and psychological stress.

• Assessing Meaning and Purpose in Your Life: This article is essentially about how we can live a life that has more meaning and purpose, and how we can become the best version of ourselves. We can only achieve these things by getting clearer on who we truly want to be, and by increasing our awareness of (and by choosing to do) what is most important.

Calming/Anxiety Relief

• Virtual Calming Room: Resources for online tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings in positive ways

• How to Calm Anxiety: If you struggle with anxiety, know that you are not alone. Here are some resources and education on what anxiety looks like and what we can do about it. 

• Tired but Wired: Feeling “Tired But Wired” is a common symptom of anxiety disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Anxiety Attacks and Panic Disorder. This article explains the relationship between anxiety and feeling tired but wired.

• SoundCloud Playlist: Compassionate self talk from the Compassionate Mind Foundation

Sleep Resources

• Sleep.org: At Sleep.org, our mission is to provide informative, evidence-based content and recommendations about sleep health, science, and products.

Mindfulness Resources

• 5 Minute Mindfulness (video)

• Mindfulness Apps for Kids: Kids of all ages can reap the benefits of meditation and mindfulness using technology. Meditating even only a few minutes a day has proven to reduce stress, boost immunity, aid memory and concentration, decrease depression and anxiety, and even make you more compassionate. 

• Common Obstacles to Mindfulness: Regular practice of Mindfulness skills can lead to more self-awareness and less ‘reactivity’. Mindful awareness will improve your ability to self-regulate which will give you more choice over how you respond when faced with difficult situations. However, when beginning to learn Mindfulness there are some obstacles people commonly encounter.  With some understanding and planning, you can reduce the potential frustrations you may experience. This page will address the common obstacles so that you persist and go on to reap the full benefits of continued practice. 

• Forest Bathing: Many people enjoy spending time in nature. But did you know that time among the trees could be therapeutic? Forest therapy is a growing practice that promises benefits for your mind and body. Enthusiasts say it can help you relax and refuel — and give you a break from the devices, worries and stress that dominate your daily life. It might even improve your physical health.

Chronic Pain Resources

• Educational Links for Chronic Pain Resources: Resources for from the Institute for Chronic Pain

• Being Unsympathetic-Mind's Secret Weapon for Chronic Pain (video): People often think about chronic pain as only benefitting from medical treatment and interventions. Jessica Pullins focuses on an essential strategy for lowering pain-related distress: being “unsympathetic.” In this case, “unsympathetic” refers to the Sympathetic Nervous System, the part of the Autonomic Nervous System responsible for the Fight or Flight (or Freeze) Response.

• Pain Toolkit and Resources: These links and resources have been compiled and put together by the team at the Pain Toolkit for your reference and what we believe will help you in the self management of your pain.

• List of Alternative and Complementary Therapies: Explains the different types of complementary and alternative therapies, what they're used for and possible side effects.