Make Your Bed. Take Your Meds!

May is mental health awareness month. I want to offer a word of encouragement to anyone who is struggling right now and share some practical tips for getting through normal things when life doesn’t feel normal.

Some days, getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain.

Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t care. But because depression, anxiety, grief, stress, or emotional exhaustion can make even the simplest tasks feel heavy.

And yet…life still marches on.

The dishes still need washing.

The emails still come in.

People still need things from us.

Responsibilities don’t pause just because our minds and hearts are struggling. That can feel incredibly discouraging when you’re already fighting just to make it through the day. Sometimes mental health recovery doesn’t look dramatic.

Sometimes it looks like:

• Making your bed even when you want to crawl back into it

• Taking your medication consistently

• Drinking a glass of water

• Going to therapy

• Answering one text

• Taking a shower

• Walking outside for five minutes

• Choosing to keep going one small step at a time

  
  

Those things may seem ordinary to someone else, but when you’re struggling mentally or emotionally, they are acts of strength. Self-care is often misunderstood. It’s not always bubble baths and spa days. Real self-care is maintenance. It’s caring for yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually even when motivation is low.

That may mean:

• Keeping up with doctor appointments

• Seeing a therapist or counselor

• Taking prescribed medication

• Moving your body through exercise or walks

• Drinking enough water

• Getting proper sleep

• Setting healthy boundaries

• Spending time with supportive people

• Seeking comfort and guidance through your place of worship, faith community, or support groups

  
  

Surprisingly, incorporating fun, creativity, and even humor can provide the endorphin boost you need. Personally, I enjoy watching comedies and engaging in creative projects. Discover an activity that puts you in a state of "flow", something so fulfilling and enjoyable that you lose track of time.

Remember, healing is rarely linear. Some days you’ll feel strong and hopeful. Other days you may feel like you’ve taken ten steps backward. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is to keep keeping on.

To keep showing up for yourself in small ways.

To keep choosing care over neglect.

To keep believing that difficult seasons are not permanent.

So if all you did today was make your bed and take your meds, that still counts.

That still matters.

And sometimes, those small acts are the beginning of bigger healing.

If you are living with a chronic mental health condition, practicing acceptance and leaning on the tools and support systems you’ve built for the rough patches can make all the difference.

Stay encouraged. Give yourself grace, practice gratitude, one day at a time.

*My name is Jennifer. I am a Life Coach, Mental Health Advocate, Grief Survivor, and Hope Dealer. I am a mother to two incredible young adults and three pets I call my "pet therapy." At 49, I began anew following the unexpected passing of my spouse. What I share here comes from lived experience. Feel free to contact me if you need resources. In an emergency, please call 911 or the 988 crisis hotline.