Use + Improve

Need more joy in your life? This fun little tool has you covered.

I have to be honest, I don't usually like cutesy web tools that claim to improve mental health, but this is really well done.

It's a creative, interactive way to learn how to get more joy in your life.

Scared of public speaking? Use this app to improve your skills...without having anyone see you?!

I randomly found this app this week, and I'm glad I did. I just started using it, and I'm really impressed by their approach to improving your public-speaking ability. And it's not just for people who do "traditional" public speaking--it's for anyone who wants to improve their presence on Zoom, in small groups, or wherever.

Laird Turmeric Coconut Powder - An amazing non-dairy coffee creamer for the coffee nuts out there.

I have this in my coffee most mornings. I'm a HUGE fan of Laird Superfood products. They are delicious and good for you. More important, they can easily fit into your already established daily routines. I have Raynaud's, a condition that makes my hands and feet incredibly cold in the winter, so I especially like the blood-circulation properties that turmeric provides!

Why this matters for your mental health
Sometimes you don't need a massive change to improve your mental health. You just need a little shift in how you normally do things.

These three suggestions have all shifted my perspective and health in small but meaningful ways.

It's your life, and you need to be prepared to try small experiments to see what works for you.

Read + Learn

An incredibly well-writen intro to psychedelics + mental health for those who are skeptical.

Michael Pollan is one of the best writers I've ever come across. He has a way of describing the nuances of life in a way that I find almost unparalleled in modern writers.

He dared to teach himself about psychedelics by taking them, even though he was definitely not the kind of person who would be open to that.

Another culture-shaking book by Michael Pollan, this one encouraging us to consider how we make decisions about our food choices.

I should re-read this.  I read this probably five years ago at this point, and the idea of bringing intentionality to the food choices we make has stayed with me.

Why this matters for your mental health:

When a writer has been around for decades and is widely respected by all kinds of groups, it's time to take notice.

Michael Pollan is one of those writers.

His writing is detailed and intricate but somehow still accessible.

He educates by sharing his research and experiences.

Experiential education is one of the most powerful forces in my own life, so I encourage you to check both of these books out.

Strange Connections 

(What do teens making sexy TikTok videos and a veteran in a secret military unit have in common?)

I never in my life thought I would pair these two articles together. But these are two recent mental health stories that have more in common than you might think.

For me, it has to do with the unbelievable emotional pain that can emerge when you aren't being yourself.

Read both of these together and see what I mean.

Very sad all around. The veteran's story is especially tragic.

Teen Girls’ Sexy TikTok Videos Take a Mental-Health Toll

A clandestine Army operative concealed his mental health problems until it was too late. Is the military to blame?

Why this matters for your mental health:

I know from experience how emotionally damaging it can be to pretend to be something you're not.

Connections are everywhere, as these two articles show. We need to educate ourselves about what it means to "wear a mask," whatever shape the mask might take.

Jose Gonzalez is a creative and lyrical genius. I listened to this album over and over when it came out last year. Gonzalez has a wonderful way of building up an emotion as a song goes on, and that's especially the case with the song, Head On.