7 Things People Who Prioritise Their Mental Health Do Differently

Views from the therapy room.

Mental health isn’t just something you think about when things fall apart. It’s something you build into your life each and everyday as part of your daily routine. And the people who prioritise their mental health know this. I see this in my work. I see the ripple effects. It’s the quiet choices they make every day that continually support emotional clarity, self-trust, and peace of mind.

It’s not about perfection - that word is not a welcome visitor here. It’s about presence - always presence.

So I’m sharing the seven things I see people who prioritise their mental health do differently and I’m offering a therapist’s tip to help you try with each one to hopefully bring you some insight into how you can begin to welcome these seven practices into your day too.

1. They Honour Their Limits - Without Apology

Mental health-aware people recognise that boundaries aren’t walls to keep people out, but just doors to protect what’s inside. They have an awareness where they know when they’re approaching emotional or physical burnout - and instead of pushing through it, they pause. They cancel plans when they’re overwhelmed, say “no” without guilt, and rest not only when it’s convenient, but when it’s necessary. They’ve internalised the truth that their worth is not measured by productivity - despite what society may otherwise be selling the idea of.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
With one hand on your heart, practice naming your limit out loud - just for yourself. Say: “This is where it stops, and that’s okay.” Then notice the emotion that follows. Guilt? Fear? Relief? That emotion gives you insight into what’s been driving your boundary resistance. Notice the sensations you feel within your body - there’s information here too.

2. They Choose Self-Compassion Over Self-Criticism

Everyone makes mistakes, but what I see with the people who are beginning to prioritise their mental health is that they don’t use theirs as a weapon against themselves. There’s care towards themselves. there’s understanding. There’s a beautiful connection to self. They practice self-talk that is curious, not cruel. Instead of spiraling into shame, they ask, “What can I learn from this?” Yes, they’ve often worked hard on this - through therapy or self-reflection - to soften the inner critic and develop an inner nurturer/inner parent narrative that’s kinder. Their inner dialogue sounds more like that friend we all wish we had rather than a harsh critical judge.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
When your inner critic shows up, imagine how you’d respond to a friend in the same situation. Then speak to yourself with that same tone. Notice any sensations in your body as you do this too. Write it down if it helps retrain the script. Or name your inner critic - mine’s Gertrude - and say, “Not today, [insert inner critic name].”

3. They Actively Detox From People-Pleasing

Yes, this one is hard - I know the work it’s taken for people to recover from people-pleasing - I am one of those people but it is possible. Many of us are conditioned to prioritise the comfort and opinions of others over our own truth - our own wellbeing - and that is painfully sad. But people who take care of their mental health learn to disappoint others in order to stay true to themselves. This doesn’t mean they’re unkind - it means they don’t literally twist themselves into emotional frenzies to earn love. They value authenticity over approval, even when it’s uncomfortable. A gentle reminder here - someone else’s reaction to you considering your own needs is not your responsibility.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
Notice where in your body you feel the urge to say yes when you mean no. Is it in your chest? Your throat? People-pleasing isn’t just a thought pattern - it’s a nervous system response - it’s sharing with you an old story where you weren’t allowed to consider your own needs. Start by breathing into the sensation, not judging it. What information is there in your nervous system response? This is the very beginning of breaking the habit.

4. They Curate What (and Who) They Consume

This may just be one of my favourite habits that I see - just as we’re mindful of what we eat, mental health-conscious people are selective about what they take in emotionally and mentally. They unfollow accounts that leave them feeling “less than.” They take breaks from doom-scrolling and yes to bloomscrolling - I know, how gorgeous? They say no to conversations or relationships that feel draining or manipulative. They understand that their mental diet - yes, there is such a thing - such as social media, news, relationships - deeply affects their state of mind. Their intentional awareness around this is key to mental wellbeing. Our mental diet literally affects our mental health and subsequently our overall happiness and longevity - it matters!

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
Do a “content audit” once a week. Ask: How did this/or they make me feel? Keep what expands you. Mute or unfollow what limits you. Your attention, your energy sources are a delicious form of self-care.

5. They Normalise Getting Help

Therapy, support groups, friends or family - they don’t see asking for help as weakness - they see it as the way forward for protecting their mental health. They understand that healing doesn’t have to be done in isolation and that connection is in itself a powerful medicine in fact our nervous systems thrive on co-regulation. And I know the perfect support system isn’t available for everyone but for these people there’s a real drive to seek out the right support.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
If asking for help feels too difficult, start small. Practice by saying, “Could you sit with me while I talk this through?” Support doesn’t always mean solving - it often just means presence.

6. They Create Rituals of Regulation

Whether it’s journaling in the morning, taking a walk at lunch or meditating before bed, people who prioritise mental health have rituals that help regulate their nervous system. These aren’t grand gestures - they’re small, and, importantly sustainable practices that ground them. They’ve learned that regulation isn’t a one-time event - it’s an ongoing relationship with themselves.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
Anchor one regulating ritual to something you already do. For example: “Each night when I get into bed, I listen to a sleep meditation.” Stacking habits makes them so much more sustainable.

7. They Embrace Growth, Not Perfection

Mental health isn’t about becoming flawless - it’s fundamentally about finding the safety within ourselves in becoming real, raw, and authentic. Those who embody mental health prioritising as a way of life know that emotional wellness isn’t a place to be reached, but a lifelong practice. They give themselves permission to evolve, to grow, to make mistakes, to reflect, to learn, to offer compassion, to be human. And they extend that same awareness and compassion to others, recognising that everyone is doing their best with the tools they have.

My Top Therapist’s Tip:
Next time you feel like you’re falling back into an old pattern, don’t ask, “What’s wrong with me?” Ask instead, “What is this part of me trying to protect?” Breathe into your response - give it the room it needs. Curiosity opens doors that shame slams shut - every single time.

A Final Thought

Please don’t think that ultimate mental health is about doing everything right - it’s not about doing everything on the list and being OK all of the time as a result - it’s far more accurate to say that it’s about building a life that honours your humanity and the humanity of others - it’s about acknowledging that it’s a process - it’s about knowing that it’s a start.

So, start with one tiny shift. Maybe it’s speaking to yourself with a little more kindness. Maybe it’s finally booking that therapy appointment. Maybe it’s resting without guilt.

Whatever it is, it matters. Your choices for your mental health matter. What one small step are you going to choose today?

Sending love as always,

Helen x