Mental Health Toolkit
Medications and therapy help millions manage depression, anxiety, and other conditions. But science shows that lifestyle and daily habits also have a powerful influence on mental health.
These strategies are not replacements for professional care — but they can be valuable adjuncts that build resilience, reduce risk, and improve quality of life.
Core Strategies
- Sleep and Mental Health
- Exercise and Mental Health
- Nutrition and the MIND Diet
- Light Therapy and Circadian Health
- Social Connection and Mental Health
- Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
- Limiting Harmful Inputs
How to Use This Toolkit
- Start small. Choose one habit (better sleep, a daily walk, or light therapy) and build from there.
- Stack habits. Research shows that keeping at least five healthy lifestyle practices can cut depression risk by half.
- Combine approaches. These strategies complement — not replace — therapy, medication, or crisis support.
Think of the toolkit as a set of levers: the more you pull together, the stronger your resilience becomes.