5 Things That Comfort Me When My Mental Health Is Low
Some days, my mental health is low in a way thatโs hard to ignore.
I feel drained, unmotivated, and easily overwhelmed, even when nothing obvious has gone wrong. Little things take more energy than they should, and my brain feels stuck on a low setting.
When Iโm in that headspace, I donโt want advice or productivity tips. I donโt need to fix myself or push through it. What actually helps are small, familiar comfortsโthings that donโt ask anything from me but make the day feel more manageable.
These are a few of the things that bring me comfort when my mental health is low. Theyโre not solutions or curesโjust simple comforts that help me get through harder days without making things feel worse.
1. Breaking a sweat
I try to move my body in some way every day. My work is very sedentary, and I really donโt feel good if Iโm sitting for 12+ hours a day – and I donโt think anyone does. Breaking a sweat always makes me feel better both physically and mentally. If something is weighing on my mind, getting my body moving makes those thoughts feel less heavy, or at least helps me think more clearly. Remembering how Iโll feel after even a short workout is usually enough to get me started, even when I donโt really feel like it.
Bonus points if Iโm getting my exercise outside, because nature is another big comfort for me.
2. Watching comfort shows
Everybody has their comfort shows, right? As a neurodivergent person, comfort shows are a big thing for me. I rarely ever watch new shows ๐ญ. Thereโs something so reassuring about rewatching a show I already love for the 27,379th time. Most of the time Iโm not even fully focused on the TV, so having something familiar on in the background feels comforting instead of overwhelming. When Iโm feeling low, letting my tired brain watch something predictable honestly just feels like a hug.
Some of my favorites:
- Bobโs Burgers
- Seinfeld
- Gilmore Girls
- Regular Show
- New Girl
3. Spending time on my hobbies
When my mental health is low, leaning into my hobbies helps me feel more like myself again. Reading, going for walks and taking photos, working on my blog, or crocheting something gives my mind something to focus on without pressure. These are the kinds of activities that let me be present without overthinking or forcing productivity. Even doing them for a short amount of time helps break the feeling of being stuck in my head.
4. Planning, brain dumping, and journaling
When my mind feels all over the place, finding ways to slow it down has been key – not just for feeling better, but for getting anything done. Writing down a to-do list or what I want to accomplish helps me look at things more logically and stops me from panicking. Things can feel incredibly overwhelming when theyโre only in my head, but once I write them down, they lose a lot of their power. Brain dumping worries, working through solutions, or just journaling things out in general is surprisingly calming for me. Definitely a big comfort when my mental health is low.
5. Spending time with my pets
Spending time with my pets brings me a kind of comfort thatโs hard to explain. Whether Iโm petting my cat, sitting with my dog, or just watching them exist in their own little world, it almost always lifts my mood. They move through life without carrying the same worries we do, and being around that kind of calm, uncomplicated joy feels grounding in the best way.
Their presence reminds me to slow down and stay in the moment. When my mental health is low, the love they give so freely makes everything feel a little lighter, even if nothing else has changed.
Final Thoughts
These are some things that bring me comfort when my mental health is low. None of these things fix everythingโand they donโt need to. They just make hard days a little more manageable, which is sometimes enough. If youโre going through something similar, I hope youโre able to find one small thing today that brings you a bit of comfort too.
I like your ideas! I love to read when my mental health is low–or watch the Real Housewives. I always laugh when I watch the show. It is so crazy!
That is a really great list. I find that watching my favourite shows really helps.
I really appreciate how this post focuses on gentle comforts instead of trying to โfixโ low mental health days, which makes it feel honest and compassionate. The mix of small grounding habits like movement, familiar shows, journaling, and time with pets feels relatable and realistic rather than overwhelming. Itโs a thoughtful reminder that sometimes simple, familiar rituals are enough to make heavy days feel a little lighter.
These are wonderful ideas, and theyโre especially important when mental health feels low. I love getting cozy and putting on food channels or a good movie especially something light or funny. Little moments like that really help lift the heaviness. Sometimes itโs the simplest comforts that make the biggest difference for me.