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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Providence chapter.

Have you ever reached that point where you’re overwhelmed, stressed, and basically on the brink of going over the edge? Well, we’ve all been there. When you get to that point, it’s time to maybe stop and check in with yourself. Here is a list of things you can do to check-in with your mental health. 

Start by asking yourself how you feel. 

Stop for a minute and break down how you’re feeling. Pick apart piece by piece what’s bothering you and separate them so you can organize your thoughts better. Maybe even journal! If you’re ever looking for a daily journal but don’t know where to start, I recommend one called The Best Journal Ever (they have on Amazon). It has daily pages for you to write what you’re grateful for, an affirmation line, and a daily journaling section. It also includes habit trackers and other great pages to organize your thoughts and life.  

Here’s some questions you can ask yourself for a mental health check-in: 

  1. How am I feeling today? (Mentally and physically) 

  1. What’s taking up most of my headspace? 

  1. Can I pinpoint any stress triggers? 

  1. Does my heart feel heavy? 

  1. Have I validated my feelings and thoughts? 

  1. Can I share how I feel with someone I trust? 

  1. When did I last eat a whole meal? 

  1. Have I had water? 

  1. Am I tired? 

  1. What can I do today that will bring me joy? 

Now, here are some things you can do to help practice some self-care! 

  1. Take a Breath/Meditate 

I know, I know… The most basic advice in the world, to just breathe. But sometimes this can be one of the most helpful things for me at least. Meditation is something I’ve gotten into since quarantine, and I have to say it’s helped a lot with clearing my head. There are guided meditation videos for ANYTHING on YouTube. I look up ones for the morning, positive thinking, sleep, anxiety, dissociation, and so much more. Taking even 10 minutes to yourself to just close your eyes, listening to a video and BREATHING, can open your mind and help you feel better.  

  1. Talk to Someone 

If you’re the kind of person who needs to speak their thoughts out loud and get feedback from someone, do that! I know I usually need to bounce my thoughts off someone to not feel insane, as I tend to invalidate my feelings. Talking it out can give you the chance to put your foggy thoughts into coherent ones and tackle solving them.  

  1. PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE 

This is what I struggle with the most. When I’m in a bad place, I tend to turn to social media which always makes me feel worse. If you’re in a funk, try to put your phone away, even if it’s only for an hour or so. You need to take time to yourself without the weight of seeing others’ thoughts and opinions everywhere.  

I hope this list can help someone out there look out for themselves a little more. Remember you are never alone, you are loved, and your feelings are ALWAYS valid. Please remember to take care of yourselves and check-in! 

Kacey Bilardi

Providence '23

English major with a Theatre minor Class of 2023
Nicole Idelson

Providence '22

Nicole Idelson is a Social Work major at Providence College. On campus, she is also a part of The Mental Health Awareness Board and Best Buddies. She has been involved in HerCampus since her freshman year at Providence College, and absolutely loves the club. Nicole also enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends, and eating avocado toast.