7 Mental Health Tips From Local Mental Health Experts

Chippewa Valley experts chime in with easy tips to better your mental health every day

Rebecca Mennecke

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

Mental Health Tips To Keep You Healthy Amid Turbulent Times

“Utilize a simple gratitude list before you go to sleep. Use a bullet point format or a journaling format to generate five items that you have been grateful for during the day. By reframing your thinking and focusing on and recognizing the positives, we can start to become more aware and mindful of what is happy, beneficial, and positive in our day-to-day lives.”
– Karah Gonstead
Genuine Way Family Therapy


“Turn the TV off and put the phone down and do something every day that makes you feel successful. Shower. organize that closet. Go through your clothes and donate what you don’t wear. Clean out the fridge. Finish the baby book. Learn something new. Try a new recipe.”
– Missy Jenneman 
Genuine Way Family Therapy


“Keep a bullet journal. It helps track mood and thinking patterns and makes me feel productive, organized, and accomplished, improving self-esteem, and slowing the brain for a few minutes of reflection on what I have to be grateful for.”
– Melissa Hogan 
Genuine Way Family Therapy


“Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s self-preservation. Carve out a little bit of time each day to manage stress and burnout by connecting with other people; taking slow, deep breaths; moving your body; spending time in nature; laughing; crying; or engaging in something fun and creative.”
– Jodi Bright 
Mosaic Counseling Group


“Try to take a moment per day to take a couple of deep breaths and focus on gratitude or appreciation for the “small things” that show up in our day-to-day lives. Research has shown even these brief moments can play a helpful role in maintaining our wellbeing.”
– Erik Feia 
Mosaic Counseling Group


“Be kind to yourself. You might suddenly have a lot more on your plate. Be mindful of your inner critic, and remind yourself that you can only do the best you can.”
– Allison Bunkelman 
Mosaic Counseling Group


“Avoid making huge decisions during this time. Admittedly, none of us are ourselves prior to the pandemic. Of course, we will not be after its impact has diminished, either. However, it seems reasonable to avoid making any decisions (aside those which absolutely must be made) that we might have second thoughts about (i.e. relationship, financial, career, etc.) several months or a year, or several years in the future.”
– Ryan Stepp
Vantage Point Clinic and Assessment Center


Photo courtesy of Unsplash
Photo courtesy of Unsplash