Mental Health Awareness Month: How I Care for My Own Mental Health as a Therapist

As a therapist, one of the questions I get asked the most—sometimes directly, sometimes with a curious side-glance—is: “Do you ever get overwhelmed by listening to other people’s problems all day?”

The short answer? Yes, I’m human.

Therapists aren’t immune to stress, burnout, or emotional overload. We have families, health challenges, bad days, and anxious thoughts too. But we’re trained not only to help others navigate those things—we also have to walk the talk and take care of ourselves so we can show up fully for our clients.

So in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share some of the ways I personally care for my mental health. Not because I’ve got it all figured out (spoiler: I don’t), but because I believe in normalizing self-care—for therapists and for everyone else.

🌿 1. I Spend Time Outside (Even When I Don't Feel Like It)

Fresh air, even for ten minutes, does something good for my brain. Whether it's walking my dog, sitting on my back deck with a book, or just stretching in the sun between sessions, getting outside helps me reset.

Birdsong, rustling leaves, sunlight on my skin—these small, quiet things help me feel more grounded and present. Nature doesn’t ask anything of me, and that alone can be deeply healing.

✈️ 2. I Travel Whenever I Can

Travel doesn’t have to mean hopping on a plane to a faraway country (though I love that too). It can be a weekend road trip, a day trip to a park, or exploring a nearby town I’ve never really looked at with fresh eyes.

Travel gives me perspective. It gets me out of my usual routine and reminds me that there’s a big, beautiful world outside my to-do list. New places fuel creativity and help me return to work feeling more present.

🥾 3. I Hike to Clear My Mind

There’s something therapeutic about putting one foot in front of the other on a trail. Hiking is where I do some of my best thinking—or sometimes, no thinking at all, which is even better. No phone, no podcast, just trees and the sound of my own breathing. Nature helps me come back to myself. It’s grounding, quieting, and honest.

Even short hikes offer a chance to unplug, be mindful, and move my body in a way that feels good. Bonus: it combines exercise, nature, and quiet time all in one.

📓 4. I Journal When My Thoughts Feel Heavy or Loud

I’m not a perfect daily journaler, but I reach for my notebook when I need to untangle what’s going on in my head. Sometimes that looks like a brain dump, sometimes it’s reflecting on something that came up in a session, and sometimes it’s just writing “I don’t know what to write” until something shows up.

Journaling helps me slow down and listen to myself—without judgment.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 5. I Make Time for the People Who Fill My Cup

Being a therapist means I spend a lot of time in deep conversations—and while I love that, it’s important to also have relationships where I can just be. Whether it’s game night with friends, dinner with family, or laughing about something ridiculous with people I trust, that connection matters.

I try to prioritize quality time with people who get me—and with whom I don’t have to be “on.”

🛑 6. I Say No (More Than I Used To)

This one didn’t come naturally. But I’ve learned that protecting my time and energy is essential. I don’t overbook myself, and I allow space in my schedule to breathe, eat, rest, and regroup.

Sometimes that means saying no to extra commitments, or choosing rest over productivity. Not everything needs to be maximized. Sometimes good enough is enough.

💚 Final Thoughts

Mental health isn’t something I work on just when I’m struggling—it’s something I maintain, like brushing my teeth or charging my phone. And the more I take care of myself, the better I can show up—not just for clients, but for myself and the people I love.

If you’re reading this and feeling like your self-care has slipped lately, that’s okay. Start small. Take a walk. Write a few thoughts down. Text a friend. Schedule a therapy session. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to begin.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage you to reflect: What makes you feel most like yourself? And how can you make space for a little more of that?

You’re worth the time. You’re worth the care.

Related Articles:
Nurtured by Nature: How to Boost Your Mental Health with the Great Outdoors

The Mental Health Benefits of Solo Travel

Mental Health Awareness Month: Considerations for Developing a Routine to Support Your Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Month: How to Support a Friend or Loved One Who’s Struggling

Mental Health Awareness Month: What Mental Health Looks Like Across the Lifespan