On October 10th, 2025—World Mental Health Day—take a moment to check in with yourself and reflect on your mental well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore key aspects of self-care that support mental health, using a helpful framework shared by NAMI Wisconsin.
From physical and emotional needs to social, spiritual, and mental care, we’ll look at how you can build balance in a way that fits you—not your friend, not a trend. Because no two people are the same, and your version of self-care might look entirely different.
Self-Care Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Finding What Works for You
Self-care looks different for everyone. What helps your friend feel balanced might not work for you—and that’s totally normal. The goal isn’t to check off boxes, but to build a mix of habits that actually support you.
One helpful way to think about self-care is to break it into five key areas: Physical, Social, Mental, Spiritual, and Emotional. Here’s a quick look at what each one means, and how you might take care of yourself in that area.
Caring for Your Body | Physical Self-Care
Sleep, movement, and nutrition are the big three here. It’s not about perfection—it’s about routines that help your body feel its best. That could mean making time for regular walks, getting enough sleep, or planning meals that give you energy. Small steps go a long way.
Stay Connected | Social Self-Care
Humans are wired for connection—but it’s easy for social time to fall to the bottom of the list. Check in with yourself: Are you getting enough meaningful time with others? That might look like texting a friend, grabbing coffee, joining a group, or even just being around people in a shared space.
Keep Your Mind Engaged (And Rested, Too) | Mental Self-Care
This is all about keeping your mind active, engaged, and supported. That could be reading, doing puzzles, journaling, being in nature, yoga, learning a new skill, or even just taking time to rest and unplug. Mental self-care doesn’t have to be serious—it’s about doing things that help you feel clear-headed and mentally refreshed.
Finding Meaning, Peace, and Presence | Spiritual Self-Care
Spiritual self-care means connecting to something bigger—whatever that looks like for you. It could be time in nature, prayer, meditation, or moments of quiet reflection. You don’t have to be religious to feel a sense of purpose, peace, or wonder.
Making Space for Emotions | Emotional Self-Care
Your emotions deserve attention, too. Emotional self-care is about checking in with how you’re feeling and finding ways to process or release stress. That might mean talking to someone, laughing with friends, practicing deep breathing, or giving yourself permission to cry when you need to.
Beyond the Basics: Other Ways to Support Your Well-Being
While the five core areas cover a lot, there are a few other parts of life that play a big role in your overall well-being. Think about your environment—is your space calm, clean, and supportive? Your financial health—do you feel in control, or is money stress weighing on you? There’s also creative self-care, which could be anything from painting to cooking to daydreaming, and digital self-care, like setting boundaries with screen time or curating a healthier online space. Even small shifts in these areas can help you feel more balanced.
You’re Not Alone: Finding Support in Your Community
If you’re looking to go beyond personal self-care and get extra support, it can be really helpful to explore what’s available in your local community. There are often more resources out there than you might think—support groups, workshops, community events, or even just spaces to connect with others.
One organization we partner with at Rhyme is NAMI Wisconsin—a group made up of individuals, families, and friends who have been impacted by mental illness. They work to provide education, advocacy, and resources to support mental health and recovery for everyone.
You can learn more about what they offer by visiting: https://namiwisconsin.org/
There’s no perfect formula for self-care—and that’s the point. Your needs, your energy, and your balance will shift over time, and that’s completely normal. The most important thing is to check in with yourself regularly and make space for what supports your well-being, in whatever way makes sense for you.
Whether you're taking a walk, talking to a friend, or exploring local resources, every small step counts. On this World Mental Health Day—and every day—give yourself permission to care for your mind, body, and spirit in the way that feels right for you.
