Practical ways to reset, recharge, and care for yourself this season.
October brings with it a series of national reminders: National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 6–12), and ongoing conversations about well-being. These observances encourage us to pause, reflect, and take our mental wellness seriously. But awareness isn’t just about statistics or screenings—it’s also about the small, everyday steps that keep us grounded.
That’s where the MY FAVE FIVE app comes in. With built-in coping tools, it’s designed to support balance in daily life—helping you shift your energy, lift your mood, and reconnect with yourself when you need it most.
Action Steps for October
1. The Power of Small Coping Steps
Stress has a way of sneaking up on us in October. New routines are in full swing, the days grow shorter, and responsibilities stack higher. The Coping tab in the app offers gentle, accessible strategies to move forward without pressure:
- Do something creative
- Step outside
- Practice kindness
- Engage in social activities (or opt out intentionally)
- Create small, healthy distractions
How to use it: Open the app → Coping tab → tap a star to select a coping strategy and follow the in-app prompt.
Action Step
Open the Coping tab today and try one strategy. Share with your FAVE FIVE how it shifted your mood.
Badge: Coping Strategies
2. Creative Outlets to Reset Your Mind
Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s a proven way to process feelings, relieve stress, and spark joy. Whether it’s sketching, journaling, cooking, or listening to music, creative activities give your brain a healthy reset.
Action Step
Set aside 10 minutes this week for a creative outlet—no pressure, just expression.
Badge: Personal Growth
3. Get Outdoors, Feel the Shift
Fresh air, natural light, and movement do more for our minds than we often realize. October’s crisp air can be the perfect cue to ground yourself outdoors. Even a short walk can help lower stress and boost perspective.
Action Step
Schedule one 10-minute walk outside this week. Leave your phone in your pocket and notice the colors, sounds, and scents around you.
Badge: Mindfulness
4. Kindness as a Coping Strategy
Kindness isn’t just for others—it heals us too. Research shows small acts of kindness release feel-good chemicals in the brain, strengthening resilience and creating connection.
Action Step
Do one small, unexpected act of kindness today—a thank-you note, a compliment, or holding the door—and notice how it lifts your mood too.
Badge: Support
5. Social Energy (and Boundaries)
Sometimes connecting recharges us; other times, saying no protects our peace. Make that choice intentionally, rather than reactively.
Action Step
Reach out to one of your FAVE FIVE for a five-minute chat—or give yourself permission to rest if that’s what you need.
Badge: Connection
Coping Is Strength
October’s awareness campaigns remind us that mental health is health. Coping strategies aren’t signs of weakness—they’re tools of strength. By taking small steps to care for yourself, you’re building resilience and creating space to show up for others too.
Open the MY FAVE FIVE app today and explore the Coping tab. One action at a time, you can shift your energy, protect your balance, and remember: showing up for yourself is just as important as showing up for others.
Remember: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit their website for online chat options.