Having a hard day? Me too! When I’m having a not-optimal mental health day my best tool is simple- a checklist! Today I’m sharing my own checklist & helping you make yours. ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH THINGS: Feeling hopeless? Get help! Now! https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  https://www.nami.org/Find-Support Feeling awful?  Before you give up, go through this checklist. This list is meant to give you ideas, not replace professional help. Anxiety and depression and my own story here:: https://youtu.be/WoVDD1bDyvI HOW I DEALT WITH ANXIETY ONE YEAR LATER: https://youtu.be/40PxTeleO24 BASICS:  Wake up same time  Sunlight in your eyeballs  Vitamins! (I take Lifelong Vitality – here’s why: https://youtu.be/zLaoVKvAfGw)   Mindfulness Start with Headspace! https://hdsp.co/e/Mg2Lbx4BqS   Log your mood: http://moodnotes.thriveport.com/ HOW EMOTIONS ARE MADE: https://youtu.be/7EWgw7mI80c PODCASTS FOR WHEN I CANT FOCUS: The Hilarious World of Depression Dear Hank and John By The Book  Nerdette Jen Gotch is OK…Sometimes YOUTube: VlogBrothers Crash Course   Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast241

241: Turn a bad day around: mental health checklist

Tap into what makes you feel like YOU by following your enthusiasm. Each week we’ll discuss finding joy, mental wellness and enthusiasm by finding time and energy to do more of what feels fun. Yes, FUN, even in times of big transition, in the middle of caregiving, in your life. Gardening, reading, sewing and knitting are how I follow my enthusiasm. How do you follow yours?

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Hobbies

Games & Hobbies

Books

Home & Garden

Leisure

I know, you think you would get more done, and feel less overwhelmed, if you were only better at your time management. But that’s not the problem. 
Today we're looking at three things that will help more than a new planner. 
Apply to join my new program here: https://forms.gle/d5mwsYw1aFqeFCzcA

You don’t need more time management tips

A listener asked me for some book recommendations so here are my top favorites in memoir, non-ficition, brain science and encouragement. 
Find the entire list of books here:

10 best books for mental health

It’s my hope that by talking about what helped me, I can help you feel less overwhelmed, less disconnected from your life and more tapped into what brings you joy.

Let’s just get right into it: Following your enthusiasm, really nerding out is the way to feel like yourself again. If you, like most of us, have had to take on new caregiver roles during the pandemic or this stage of life - maybe it’s kids, a sick spouse, your parents need care. A lot of us are in the stage of life where we just have more caregiver roles than ever. And while that can feel good and fulfilling…sometimes it doesn’t. In some situations it just feels….hard.

How following my enthusiasm saved me from burnout

It’s back, baby! 

In todays episode I share why I had to stop podcasting, how my family TRIPLED and what’s next for the podcast. 

Explore Your Enthusiasm was a weekly creative business show for 6 years.  We talked marketing, time, goal-setting and profitability in your creative work. And then, pandemic one April, newborn in NICU in July and three more kiddos (under 4yo), in September. 

But I’m ready to come back. Listen in to what’s changed and what you can expect next.

Find the new site at TaraSwiger.com (soon!)

WHY I QUIT my podcast & how I’m back (things are changing)

Remember when I said the podcast was coming back? That VERY week, I became the mom of three more kids!  Tune in to hear how my family expanded so quickly and what's next.  Don’t miss the next episode and all my news, sign up here: http://taraswiger.com/list Join the Facebook group for recipes and live convos:https://www.facebook.com/groups/essentialenthusiasm/ Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/taraswiger    Find these shownotes (and 300+ more episodes!) here: http://taraswiger.com/4kids

241: Turn a bad day around: mental health checklist

Download our free app to listen on your phone