5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health RIGHT NOW

And you won't *believe* number 3

Hi! Hello! Good morrow!!

It’s been a while and a big reason for that is me ol’ brain’s been acting up recently. Very rude. Still on the waiting list for a transplant or maybe a brand new model from our alien neighbors, but so far, nothing to report.

That’s okay! Gotta work with whatcha got. (And I got me some anxiety.)

As my faux clickbait title suggests, I want to share five things that have been helping my mental health lately. I hope they inspire you to try something new or leave a comment about what has been keeping your boat afloat recently.

1. Jaime French

What a blessing. Jaime French’s videos are ridiculously funny, and I swear on Mister’s rabbit food, we watched all of the exact same movies as kids. She makes lots of different kinds of content, but these movie reviews are my current favorite. They aren’t just hilarious, they’re SO well produced; sometimes she uses a green screen to put herself into the movies and it’s nothing short of genius. The videos about movies I watched as a kid light up long dormant parts of my brain and the videos about movies I’ve never seen are equally entertaining. She’s just so funny and comforting, and I wish my life was a movie just so I could watch her review it. I adore you, Jaime French.

2. These Pickles

This is old news, but I often crave McDonald’s when I’m feeling extra emotional. In an effort to save money and my arteries, I decided to make my own, fresher version of a Big Mac at home. I felt like a goddamn genius, honestly. It turned out delicious and I credit these pickles for that restaurant without leaving my kitchen feeling. They are crisp, just sour enough, and come in an easy to open container, perfect for popping open literally every single time I poke my head in the fridge when I’m procrastinating. Thank you, pickle chips!

3. I painted my trashcan pink

There’s not a lot to explain here. My kitchen trashcan (which I can see from most spots in my small apartment) was white, but then I spray painted it candy pink. It’s delightful. I keep chuckling and saying, “my trash can is pink” out loud … it just feels good!

4. This picture of Cosmo and Wanda from Fairly OddParents

Why is this so pure and wholesome to me? Like, I can HEAR this picture. Cosmo and Wanda were such a whacky couple. As a kid, I was kind of bothered by their dynamic: Cosmo always got to be silly, but Wanda was constantly reeling him in. How could they possibly enjoy each other’s company? Now, as an adult, I appreciate the balance of their love in a new way — Wanda is probably a Capricorn and Cosmo is most likely a Sagittarius. (I googled this and couldn’t find any definitive answers about their birthdays, but I did see that Wanda is (allegedly) 31 and Cosmo is over 1,000. Okay!) But .. look at them as fish. LOOK AT THEM.

5. This Yoga Video

Doing this before bed — even if I’ve accomplished nothing but keeping me and Mister alive all day — makes me feel like THE most put together, main charactery, wellness guru bitch to ever walk this earth. If you ever do it, let me know what you think. The last move (sorry, spoilers) involves putting your legs in the air or against a wall and I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS SO CALMING. I could look it up, but the mystery of it keeps me coming back for more.

So .. yeah. Those are the things that cured my anxiety forever.

I hope you’re doing okay and enjoying the little things in life, like coffee and golden sunlight and strangers’ laughs and cat bellies and semicolons ;;;;;;;;;;;;

Lots of Love,
Christina

P.S. There are still openings for my Italian creative retreat next spring!! Grab a friend and reserve your macchiare (that’s spot in Italian, maybe).