I’ve read pretty much every “10 things to boost your mental health” list that exists on the internet. Some made me roll my eyes, while others actually made me feel worse about myself — like I’m not worthy of being in the self-care club because I don’t wake up at 5 a.m. to journal as the sun rises.
The truth is, we all experience anxiety, stress, overstimulation and can be way too into our own heads. So during Mental Health Awareness Month, Taylor, CNET’s sleep and mental health senior writer, and I wanted to share the things we actually find useful and rely on to take care of ourselves mentally.
Some of these recommendations are free, and some are products we genuinely love, but all of them have made a real difference boosting our mood and happiness (and none involve pretending everything is all right when it isn’t).
Daily habits to improve your mental health that don’t cost a thing
Let’s start with what’s free (we see you, tariffs). These are small mental health rituals we practice daily that won’t hurt your wallet and don’t require too much of your time.
Daily walks
My secret weapon for lessening stress after a long day is going on a walk. Not only is exercise beneficial for mental health, but studies also show that exposure to sunlight can boost the body’s serotonin production. Serotonin, also known as the “feel-good” chemical, is a neurotransmitter essential for regulating our moods. Higher serotonin levels are associated with feeling happy and calm, while lower levels are linked to mood disorders such as depression.
I vary the intensity of my walk from day to day, and sometimes, it even turns into a run. There’s no right way to do it; just get your body moving to boost your mood.
The 3-3-3 rule when anxiety wants to take over
I read about this once on social media and keep it in my back pocket for whenever I get anxious. It’s pretty simple:
- Name three things you see
- Name three things you hear
- Move three parts of your body (can be as easy as blinking, wiggling your toes or scrunching your nose)
This method pulls your mind out of the worry of the future and brings you back to the present. It works like a charm every time.
Lying on the floor and breathing
You don’t need a mat, music or a meditation app, just yourself and the ground. I like to lie down on my back for a few minutes and just breathe. It sounds silly and too simple, but focusing on your breath really can regulate your nervous system. The best part of this is that your pup or cat will most likely join you.
For the breathing part, you really don’t need to follow a guided breathwork. You can just intentionally follow your natural breathing. But if you’d like to do a more structured breathing exercise, you can check out an app like Breathly or search for YouTube videos.
Tools that help us stay grounded
As folks who work in wellness, we’ve also tested pretty much everything there is on the market that says it will help you feel calmer, and few devices live up to that claim. These are a few things we actually recommend that help us feel more balanced. We try to choose products and services that are easy and fun to use, and don’t feel like another chore.
Shoutlet Portable Pillow
Sometimes, what you need to release pent-up energy is a good ol’ shout. The Shoutlet pillow gives me an oddly comforting way to scream out my emotions. This portable pillow is designed to muffle sounds, so you can yell into it without alarming your neighbors (or pets).
I hadn’t realized how much emotion I was carrying until I tried out this pillow. And it’s not about being dramatic, it’s about channeling release. Whether I’m feeling anxious, stressed, overstimulated or just need a little break, this pillow has helped me move my emotions instead of letting them simmer. It’s a surprisingly therapeutic tool for emotional release.
Finch
I’ve tested a lot of mental health apps over the years, and most have fallen off for me. One that has stuck around is Finch, the self-care app that requires you to take care of a cartoon bird. Think of it like Tamagotchi for your mental health. You set goals for yourself each day, and as you check them off, you work toward sending your bird on an adventure. The goals can be as simple or as complex as you want. I have some as simple as “drink water” or “read at night.”
The features don’t stop there. There is also a “journeys” feature that you can complete each day to work toward a reward. I’m following a guided manage anxiety journey, and one that reminds me to get outside and walk after work.
My favorite part of this app is that it operates on a free-first model, so you don’t have to pay a thing to access 95% of the features. Most of the apps I’ve seen have some level of a required subscription to access the features, so this is a huge perk. It’s such a simple concept, and somehow I’ve kept up with it for 215 days. The more I’ve cared for myself, the more my little bird thrives.
Headspace
I’ve had an on-and-off relationship with meditation apps over the years, but Headspace is the one I keep coming back to (and sticking with). I initially downloaded it to cope during a very specific hardship I was navigating, thinking I’d use it until I felt better and then forget about it. But I fell in love with it after seeing how much my mental health improved after just a few weeks. The app doesn’t talk down to you or expect you to already know how to meditate. Instead, it gently guides you back to yourself.
What I love about this app is that it meets you where you are. Some days, I only have five minutes and only need a little boost. Other days, I need more time because I’m dealing with something bigger. Whatever you need, Headspace has something for you. The app also has a library with mindful movement videos and focus music, which I use daily while I work.
I also find myself talking to Ebb a lot. Ebb is a little blob-like chatbot that helps you navigate through your feelings when you need help ASAP. It’s not meant to replace your therapist or long-term treatment, but it is there to help you process emotions when you need immediate help.
Moonbird
Moonbird is a handheld breathing device designed to help you manage your anxiety through deep breathing. It’s a funky little gadget that I wasn’t sure I’d like, though I’ll have to say that when using Moonbird, I did feel my anxiety symptoms lessen in tough moments.
To start your breathing session, shake the device and place your thumb on the sensor. Then Moonbird breathes with you. On either side of Moonbird are balloon-like structures that expand and contract like lungs do. If you’ve had difficulty following breathing exercises independently, you’ll like Moonbird. All you have to do is hold it and breathe. There are guided audio sessions and plenty of educational content to help you learn more about mental health.
It’s $199, which is a little steep. Though if you’re serious about getting a handle on your anxiety symptoms with deep breathing, I recommend Moonbird.
Verilux HappyLight Mini
I didn’t realize how much lack of sunlight can affect your mood until I moved from Puerto Rico to New York last year. Winters in New York can feel especially long, gray and cold — naturally, my energy took a dip right in the thick of winter this past January. I got the Verilux HappyLight (half excited to try it and half skeptical) and it’s become one of my favorite tools for the shorter days and long periods of rainy weather.
I keep it on my desk and turn it on in the morning while I check my email and drink my coffee. It’s not a dramatic shift, but it does help me feel less sluggish and more alert. On days when the sky is grey and I haven’t left the apartment, it really does give me a little boost. If you’re like me and deal with seasonal mood dips, this light is a solid option.
Hatch Restore 3
I’ve always struggled to clear my head at night, whether I’m anxious from the day or I’ve scrolled too much on my phone. The Hatch Restore 3 has completely changed my nighttime routine. This sunrise alarm clock and sound machine duo is now a permanent fixture on my nightstand. While I love the sunrise feature that wakes me each morning, I rely on this device mainly because of the sound machine. I turn on the rain sounds each night before I go to bed to help me clear my head and settle in for sleep.
Hatch has a collection of sounds ranging from natural to color noises. It even has some wacky ones like zodiac sounds or orange shag carpet. But the features don’t stop there, there are routines, podcasts, ASMR and meditations for mental health. It’s $169.99, though I think it’s worth the money.
Truvaga Plus
I never thought I’d be that person using a fancy (and expensive) tool to regulate my nervous system, but here we are. I first tried the Truvaga Plus out of curiosity as I was often feeling tired before bed, which affected my sleep quality. Traditional anxiety-relief habits weren’t cutting it, so I decided to give this tool a shot.
Truvaga Plus is small, quiet and surprisingly calming. You just hold it against your neck for two minutes whenever you need to calm down. I, personally, like to use it before bed. But you can use it at any time — after a Zoom marathon at work, after a tough conversation or as a pick-me-up during a stressful day. It’s not a magic switch; the shift is subtle, but I can feel my body settling down after each use. It particularly helps me get out of fight-or-flight and eases my mind into a more grounded and relaxed state.
I’m not going to pretend that $500 isn’t a lot of money for a device. So, if other methods work great for you, you should totally skip this. But if you, too (like me), deal with chronic stress or anxiety, the Truvaga Plus can be a supportive tool.
Things that don’t get enough credit
- Saying no: Protecting your mental health also means getting better with your boundaries. I know, I know. It can be particularly tough at work, with social plans and your own expectations. While not easy, learning to say “no” without guilt has been so freeing for me and will help you stay in control of your time and energy.
- Doing nothing and not feeling bad about it: Contrary to what society expects of you, you’re not meant to be productive all the time. Scrolling through memes, watching trash TV or simply sleeping all day — it’s all valid. When you stop tying your worth to how much you get done, I promise you’ll start to feel lighter.
- Celebrating small wins: Improving your mental health doesn’t have to be a dramatic shift. Sometimes, it can look like remembering to drink water, going out for a walk, asking for help or noticing you’re being kinder to yourself. These small victories deserve to be celebrated, too.