The hottest Self-care Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Open Thread: What are your most helpful ideas for difficult times?

Everything Is Amazing • 1642 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Life Advice Self-care Personal Growth Community support
  1. Most people are generally good, and if they're not, it's often because they're scared. This helps us understand and forgive others better.
  2. It's important to focus on what you stand for instead of just what you oppose. This creates a positive environment for discussion and teamwork.
  3. When you feel anxious, try doing something physically active. It can help clear your mind and improve your mood.

'Aging is another word for living'

What Do We Do Now That We're Here? • 4220 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Mental health Parenting Self-care Lifestyle
  1. Aging should be seen as a natural part of life, not something to fear or fight against. Embracing the changes can lead to more joy and freedom.
  2. Taking short breaks for self-care can really improve your mood and relationships. It's important to carve out time for yourself, even if it's just a little.
  3. You don’t always have to keep your options wide open. Sometimes, making firm choices can lead to more happiness rather than feeling stuck in endless possibilities.

Are You Struggling With Your Own Screen Time? 

After Babel • 2596 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Digital detox Self-care Technology impact
  1. It's important to figure out why you want to reduce your screen time before trying to change your habits. Knowing your goals will help you stay motivated.
  2. To spend less time on your phone, reconnect with real life by seeking fun and interesting activities outside of screens. This makes you less likely to reach for your device.
  3. Make your phone boring by deleting tempting apps and reducing notifications. This way, you'll be less distracted and more present in your daily life.

Un protocole de ménage

L'Atelier Galita • 259 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Lifestyle Stress management
  1. Cleaning can feel overwhelming, but focusing on just five categories of clutter can make it easier. These are trash, dishes, laundry, items out of place, and items that have no place.
  2. It's okay to be messy sometimes, as long as everything has a designated spot. Being organized doesn’t mean everything looks perfect, but it does mean you can find what you need.
  3. A simple cleaning protocol can help you tackle messiness without stress. Breaking chores into small, manageable steps makes maintaining a clean space much easier.
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Stop Dumbscrolling. It's Bad for Your Mental Health.

OK Doomer • 178 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Social media Behavioral Health Self-care Lifestyle
  1. Dumbscrolling is when you mindlessly scroll through content that makes you feel smarter by looking at others' mistakes. It's not good for your mental health.
  2. This habit can lead to negativity both personally and socially. It encourages us to judge others instead of focusing on ourselves.
  3. Instead of dumbscrolling, we should aim to engage with positive and meaningful content that helps us grow and connect with others.

Last chance to join Creating Space!

Tech and Tea • 49 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Journaling Personal Development Coaching
  1. Creating Space is a 6-week journaling course designed to help people clear their minds and find more balance in life.
  2. The course encourages participants to take it at their own pace, offering optional prompts and private reflections without pressure.
  3. There are fun features like badges for completing prompts and a custom AI-generated report that summarizes your writing journey to help identify personal themes.

Ménage et autocompassion

L'Atelier Galita • 119 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Personal Development Compassion
  1. Self-compassion is important when it comes to managing your home. Instead of feeling ashamed about the mess, try to view it as a sign of being alive and engaged in life.
  2. How you talk to yourself about cleaning matters. Focus on the benefits of having a tidy space rather than judging yourself morally for not keeping up.
  3. Everyone has different skills when it comes to cleaning. Recognizing that it's a learned ability can help you feel less pressured and more at peace with your own cleaning journey.

the cure for shame is...

Both Are True • 99 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Fitness Nutrition Self-care Personal Growth
  1. Tracking numbers can make us feel like our worth is based on data, like weight or followers. But this often leads to shame and obsession.
  2. There’s more to our value than just the metrics we obsess over. Personal experiences, feelings, and connections also matter a lot.
  3. It's important to talk about our struggles with shame and analytics because many people experience this but don’t discuss it openly.

7 mythes sur le ménage

L'Atelier Galita • 119 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Lifestyle Choices
  1. Cleaning as you go is a hard skill that not everyone can master right away. It's better to find a cleaning method that feels right for you, rather than stressing yourself out trying to keep up with others.
  2. It's not about keeping things clean for someone else's approval. Cleaning should be about helping yourself feel better and more comfortable in your space.
  3. Organizing your home doesn't have to be about making it look pretty. What's important is that it's functional and works for your lifestyle.

Making Space When the World Feels Heavy

Tech and Tea • 115 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Journaling Mindfulness Personal Growth
  1. Creating space for yourself is really important, especially when life feels overwhelming. It helps you stay grounded and think clearly.
  2. Having a little structure or routine can make it easier to carve out that space. Simple rituals can help you relax and let go of stress.
  3. Guided journaling or courses can provide support and accountability. They make it more likely you'll show up for yourself and find clarity on what you really want.

Creating Space: A 6-Week Journaling Course

Tech and Tea • 115 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Creative Writing Personal Development Journaling
  1. Journaling can help clear your mind and make space for new ideas and creativity. It allows you to step back from daily chaos and reflect on what really matters in your life.
  2. The 'Creating Space' course is designed to guide you through a journaling practice over six weeks. It offers themes and prompts to explore different aspects of your life like time and energy.
  3. You don't need to be a seasoned writer to join the course. It's meant to support anyone wanting to find clarity about their goals and aspirations in a gentle and manageable way.

The Secret to a Hobby-Filled Life

Culture Study • 7579 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Hobbies Leisure Lifestyle Self-care Well-being
  1. Having a hobby is great for your mental health and helps you relax. It lets you take a break from work and feel restored.
  2. Starting a hobby as an adult can be tough and might feel forced at first. It's important to find something that feels natural and enjoyable for you.
  3. People often struggle with how to spend their free time between self-care and family obligations. It's okay to take time for yourself and explore hobbies without pressure.

Let's make 2024 the year of saying no to productivity culture

Changing The Channel • 8730 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Rest Productivity Culture Mental health Self-care
  1. Taking time to rest and relax is essential for our well-being, even if it goes against the pervasive productivity culture.
  2. Rest should not be tied to productivity but should be seen as a natural cycle to be honored.
  3. During challenging times, like January, it's okay to embrace the idea of taking a break and not succumb to the pressure of always being productive.

You can't be too happy, literally

Experimental History • 21278 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotions Well-being Psychology Self-care
  1. People tend to stay at the same level of happiness over time, despite major events happening around them.
  2. Research shows that individuals adjust to both good and bad situations, aiming to maintain a balance in their emotions like a thermostat.
  3. The mind has control systems like a furnace and an air conditioner that help modulate mood levels to prevent extreme states of sadness or euphoria.

How to Show Up For Your Friends Without Kids — and How to Show Up For Kids and Their Parents

Culture Study • 5719 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community Relationships Parenting Self-care Social norms
  1. Many people feel left out or lonely, regardless of their life situation. It's important to remember that everyone has their own struggles and we should support each other instead of comparing who's worse off.
  2. People want and need help, but often don’t ask for it. We need to communicate better about how we can support each other in our daily lives.
  3. Building and maintaining friendships takes effort and can be messy. Sometimes it's not fun, but it's valuable because it helps us feel connected and cared for.

35

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 1848 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Personal Development Relationships Self-care Emotional Intelligence
  1. Take responsibility for your actions and choices. Instead of blaming others or circumstances, focus on how you can respond and change going forward.
  2. Develop an abundance mindset by wanting others to succeed. When you help others, it creates a positive cycle that often leads to you benefiting too.
  3. It's never too late to change or start something new. Every day is a chance to make improvements in your life and relationships.

A Weekend Electronics Respite

Tom Ryan, Author • 5640 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mindfulness Subscription
  1. The author advocates for periodic breaks from electronics to enjoy solitude and reflection, touting the benefits of disconnecting and connecting with nature.
  2. There is a promotional subscription offer tied to the author's break from electronics, encouraging readers to subscribe and support Best Friends Animal Society.
  3. The author plans to use the time away from screens to focus on spiritual or reflective activities, such as fasting, pondering, and engaging in 'soul work.'

Living In Dirt

The Unpublishable • 7724 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mindfulness Freedom
  1. Take time for self-reflection and consider letting go of the pursuit of perfection in various aspects of life.
  2. Sometimes, finding freedom and happiness may involve stepping away from strict routines and allowing yourself to be more fluid.
  3. Allowing yourself to let go of control can open up space for new experiences and perspectives to come in.

Holiday practice

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Parenting Self-care Holidays
  1. Artists need to create to feel their best. Taking breaks is okay, but too long without art can make life harder.
  2. Finding small ways to practice art during busy times, like the holidays, helps keep us feeling whole. Even a little time for creativity matters.
  3. Making space and time for creativity is key. You can get creative with when and where you practice, like being active when others are asleep or using portable materials.

The Self Reflection Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1870 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Personal Growth Mindfulness Psychology Coaching
  1. Reflecting on your past can help you understand how you've changed and what you're proud of. It's a chance to see what you've learned and what you want to leave behind.
  2. Thinking about your present helps you identify your needs and what's important in your life. It prompts you to evaluate your daily habits and relationships.
  3. Looking toward the future encourages you to think about your goals and what success means to you. It's about planning the changes you want to make and how to grow into your best self.

In Times of Crisis, Enjoy The Silence.

OK Doomer • 29 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Research Self-care Science Lifestyle
  1. Silence can be very beneficial for our mental health and focus. Taking time to enjoy quiet moments helps our brain work better.
  2. Life is becoming increasingly chaotic and normal seems far away. We need to adapt to these changes and find ways to cope with the new reality.
  3. Rest is important and shouldn't feel like a luxury. We all need to prioritize taking breaks for our well-being.

A FAT TALK Love Note

Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith • 6505 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Body positivity Self-care Mental health
  1. The author's book Burnt Toast became a New York Times bestseller, leading to emotional reactions and celebrations.
  2. The community's support played a crucial role in the book's success, impacting various individuals and professionals in positive ways.
  3. The author expresses gratitude and pride for the collective effort that contributed to the book's achievement.

Granted: The case for slow replies, and insights on facing fear and finding hope

Granted • 6149 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Personal Growth Podcasts Leadership
  1. Weekends and holidays are for rejoicing, not just for recovering from burnout.
  2. Anonymous gestures of hope, psychology of anxiety overcoming, and impact of daily interactions are key to finding hope and facing fears.
  3. Slow email replies do not indicate lack of care; it's often a result of overwhelming work demands in an 'always on' culture.

The Body as Referee

Seven Senses • 399 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health Self-care Emotional Wellbeing Stress management
  1. Our emotions and stress levels can really affect our bodies. What we feel inside can show up as physical pain or illness.
  2. It's important to listen to our bodies and recognize our limits. Sometimes, our bodies know we need a break even if our minds don't realize it.
  3. Balancing hard work with self-care can be tough. It's okay to take a pause and rest instead of always pushing ourselves to keep going.

Activist Exhaustion and Monty Don

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 2567 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Activism Self-care Gardening Mental health Community
  1. Sometimes taking a break from activism to engage in a calming activity like gardening can help rejuvenate and refocus your mind.
  2. Engaging in gardening or similar activities can be a form of work that brings peace and joy, without the stress of politics or activism.
  3. Finding moments of beauty and relief in nature through gardening can provide a sense of sustenance and rejuvenation amidst the challenges of activism.

How to stay sane

Striking 13 • 3693 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Hobbies Stress management Well-being
  1. Having a hobby not related to politics can help you stay sane and prevent burnout by giving you a break from political anger and allowing you to focus on something you enjoy.
  2. Hobbies provide personal permission for relaxation and access to higher realms of pleasure by tricking the brain into feeling achievement and offering a sense of purpose.
  3. Engaging in a hobby allows you to enjoy the process of learning and perfecting skills with no external pressures, leading to a meaningful pursuit of pleasure and maintaining mental well-being.

If at first you don't succeed

Disaffected Newsletter • 1858 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Personal Growth Self-care Medication Depression
  1. It's okay to seek help when struggling with mental health. Sometimes, taking medication like an SSRI can really make a difference.
  2. Experiencing tough times like despair and insomnia is really hard, but it's important to keep trying to find solutions.
  3. Getting back to feeling better might take time, but small improvements can lead to being able to do everyday tasks again.

There's got to be a morning after

Disaffected Newsletter • 2398 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Depression Anxiety Self-care Therapy
  1. Depression can feel overwhelming and isolating, but it's a temporary state that eventually lifts. It's important to remember that even in the worst times, things can improve.
  2. Understanding your past and your triggers can help in managing depression. It's not always about one specific cause or issue, but a mix of experiences and emotions.
  3. Finding small moments of joy or connection, like laughing or listening to music, can help you feel less alone. It's essential to hold onto those moments as signs of hope and recovery.