Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health
Young people told us that when they are struggling they are usually told to see a professional. They don’t often get much advice about how they could help themselves.
So, we spoke to professionals and looked at academic research. Then we drew up a list of strategies young people use (you can see the process in this self-care infographic). We also published a report following a consultation with young people and their families online.
We're sharing these strategies with you to help you to manage your wellbeing. It’s up to you to decide what helps. If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn’t, stop and try something else. And you can help us build an evidence-base for these activities by letting us know what works by clicking on the ‘Did this activity help your mental wellbeing’ button on each page. This will help us decide which ones to research further. We've also created a booklet to help you create your own self-care plan as part of our and another booklet with advice for young parents and carers on looking after their wellbeing.
These activities are not a substitute for seeing a mental health professional. Sometimes we need outside help and advice. Getting help is good. No-one should feel bad about it. That’s what this site is about.
This self-care section was developed by Common Room and young people from mental health support group Hearts & Minds.
These strategies were identified by young people aged 11-25 though some strategies might not be appropriate for all ages without support or guidance of a trusted adult.
Return to On My Mind landing page.
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Acceptance
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Activism
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Alone time
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Apps delivering self-help strategies
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Aromatherapy and fragrance
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ASMR
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Baking & cooking
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Be kind to yourself
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Being outside
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Boardgames
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Books & Reading
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Challenge negative feelings
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Chinese herbal medicine
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Coding
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Colour therapy
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Confronting your fears
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Crafting
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Creative writing
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Crying
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Dance
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Daydreaming & Visualisation
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Developing a balanced sense of self
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Distraction techniques
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Drama
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Drawing or painting
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Eating a balanced diet
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Ecotherapy
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Email support
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Face-to-face informal support
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Faith and religion
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Gaming
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Getting a job
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Goal-setting
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Going on day trips or holiday
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Going to the cinema
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Herbal/plant-based remedies
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Homeopathy preparations
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Hope box
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Laughter / humour
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Learning a language
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Letting off steam
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Light therapy
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Listening to music
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Listening to podcasts
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Listening to your body
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Little actions to release tension
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Making music
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Massage
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Meditation
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Mindfulness
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Noticing your triggers
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Online chat or peer group support
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Organise your day
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Over the counter medications
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Personal care & hygiene
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Photography
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Physical exercise
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Pilates
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Playing
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Positive thinking
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Problem solving
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Psychoeducation
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Reducing consumption of stimulants and other drugs
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Relaxation techniques
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Revision
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Rewards
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Self-talk
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Setting boundaries
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Shopping
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Silence
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Sleep
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Spending time in nature
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Spending time with animals / pets
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Spending time with friends
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Spending time with supportive people
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Spiritual healing
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Sport
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Tai Chi & Qigong
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Telephone support
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Text message support
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Thinking about things
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Time away from technology
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Understanding negative thoughts and feelings
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Unsupported online, computer or app-based CBT
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Virtual reality therapy courses
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Volunteering & taking care of others
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Walking
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Warm bath
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Watching YouTube, TV or Films
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Water therapy
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Writing things down
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Yoga
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Youth Groups