People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.

Track gratitude and achievement with a simple Facebook post – include 3 things you are grateful for and 3 things you were able to accomplish each day.

Try meditating, Mindfulness and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.

Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road-trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.

Identify and replace overly negative thoughts with thoughts that are more productive. Productive thoughts don’t need to be extremely positive, but should be realistic. A more balanced thought may be, “I have some weaknesses, but I also have plenty of strengths.” Changing your thoughts requires constant monitoring, but the process can be instrumental in helping you become your best self.

Laughter increases connection with others. Hang out with a funny friend, watch a comedy or check out cute videos online. Laughter helps reduce anxiety.

5 minutes of deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Breathing techniques help you feel connected to your body—it brings your awareness away from the worries and anxieties in your head and quiets your mind.

Obviously, there are mountains of research out there to support that people who get more sleep are happier overall. Start creating a sleep schedule and practice a relaxing bedtime ritual. Have some tea and power down your devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

Go on a walk or sit quietly and focus on your natural breathing or on a word or “mantra” that you repeat silently. Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment and return to your focus on breath or mantra. When finished, experience yourself standing still—as you feel the earth beneath your feet. Take a few deep breaths and slowly return to your regular activity.

Eat a salad for lunch or dinner. Try some whole grains or snack on raw vegetables. A diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, lean meats, grains and limited fats can boost your mood and immune system.

Make a change in your local community by being an advocate for mental health awareness. Walk for mental health, starting at the Bethlehem Rose Gardens.

May 12 | 10 am – 2 pm | Bethlehem, PA

Take 30 minutes to go for a walk in nature – it could be a stroll through a park, or a hike in the woods. Research shows that being in nature can increase energy levels, reduce depression and boost well-being.

A good group yawn could serve to perk everyone up. Looking at yawns, hearing yawns, thinking about yawns or talking about yawns will likely trigger a contagious response. Contagious yawning may have evolved in early humans to boost social bonding, according to research.

Feeling anxious? Take a deep breath and relax with coloring for about 20 minutes to help you clear your mind. Pick a design that’s geometric and a little complicated for the best effect. We’re fans of Mandalas!

It may be just two tiny letters, but this is your gentle reminder that “no” is a complete sentence. Burnout happens easily — in the office and outside of it. Make sure to spend some time alone and prioritize your well-being. If you don’t want to go to a party, don’t do it. If you feel overwhelmed by your workload, speak up. Self care is not selfish.

Resilience is what allows you to cope with life’s ups and downs. Making something worthwhile out of painful times helps your resilience grow.

Starting a support group to help others, or making something creative out of bad experiences by, for example, writing, painting or singing, can help you express pain and get through hard times.

Want to feel good yourself? Make someone else feel good. Studies show that kindness can be cyclical. When you do a good deed for others, that makes them happier, which in turns make you happier, too. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference. Pay it forward every so often and reap the benefits.

About mental health and about the world around you, that is. Mental health conditions are much easier to manage when you know what’s really happening inside the mind. For example, did you know that some disorders may be genetic? Did you know that many conditions have physical symptoms? Learn as much as you can about what you’re dealing with or what your loved ones are experiencing.

Even if it’s just forgiving that person who cut you off during your commute. People who forgive have better mental health and report being more satisfied with their lives.

Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to “self-medicate” but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.

Spirituality can mean something different for everyone. Connect to what you find meaningful. Whether it is in a higher power, other people, in nature or kindness, spirituality offers many possible benefits including better mood and less anxiety.