By Sharon Wagner
When you think about mental health, what usually comes to mind? Therapy, maybe
medication, or yoga classes on a quiet Saturday morning? Sure—those matter. But your
brain and body crave more than just the standard checklist. Mental well-being doesn’t need
to be a whole new lifestyle. Sometimes, what helps most are subtle, unexpected
shifts—ones that trick your brain into feeling more alive, more grounded, or more at peace.
Plant Something With Your Hands
There’s a quiet kind of magic in dirt under your nails. Even a small container garden or a
few pots on your windowsill can trigger a reset. Science increasingly points to how
gardening calms anxiety by reducing cortisol, inviting rhythm into your routine, and
reconnecting your senses with the natural world. The act of nurturing something slow-
growing pulls you back into the present—no screens, no pressure, no performance. Just
breath, soil, and the steady hum of becoming.
Create With AI, Not Just Your Hands
Creativity doesn’t need to start with blank paper. Some of the most powerful
breakthroughs come from letting tools do the heavy lifting. With modern technology, AI
painting in visual arts lets anyone, regardless of training, visually express ideas, memories,
or moods in seconds. It’s not about becoming an artist—it’s about tapping into your own
emotional processing in a language that words don’t always reach.
Use These Mental Health Apps
You don’t need a complicated system to get started—just a phone and a few minutes. These
apps, widely used in Canada, are changing how people get access to support:
● PocketWell (Wellness Together Canada companion) — Backed by the federal
government, this app offers mood tracking, self-assessments, and direct access to
social workers or crisis responders—all in a private, judgment-free space.
● Fello — Designed to connect users with others who’ve lived through similar
struggles, offering real stories from peer-support users without the pressure of
formal therapy.
● MindShift CBT — Developed by Anxiety Canada, this app teaches evidence-based
coping skills rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy. You’ll find exercises for
reframing anxious thinking, managing panic, and building long-term tools.
● MindBeacon — This app pairs you with a licensed therapist who guides you
through a structured CBT program. Many Canadian health plans cover it, making
professional care more accessible without traditional barriers.
● Calm — Known worldwide but widely adopted in Canada, Calm offers guided
meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and relaxing music. It’s designed to
lower stress, help you sleep, and make mindfulness part of your day.
Give Your Time to Someone Else
You’re stressed, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin. And strangely, that’s why this works.
One of the simplest shifts you can make is volunteering—an hour, a morning, nothing
extravagant. Studies show volunteering boosts life satisfaction by giving you purpose,
relational validation, and meaningful structure outside your personal grind. It reminds
your nervous system that it still knows how to connect—and care—without needing to be
fixed first.
Get Cold—On Purpose
The ice bath trend might feel performative on social media, but its benefits go deeper than
hype. Cold water immersion has become a mental health intervention in its own right.
Researchers explain how jumping into an ice bath can trigger neurological responses that
regulate mood, reduce cortisol, and even promote mental clarity. You don’t need a
tub—start with a cold shower burst. It’s discomfort that teaches your brain how to recover.
Try Virtual Reality Therapy
You don’t need to leave the house to confront your fears. Therapists are increasingly
integrating immersive therapy with virtual reality into treatment plans, especially for
trauma, phobias, and anxiety. The appeal is real: controlled, repeatable exposure in a safe
simulation. It builds desensitization with precision, helping you develop regulation tools
that transfer into real-world situations. Sometimes it takes another world to help you
handle this one.
You don’t need to “be better.” You need more options. Not every strategy will resonate, but
one might shift something. Try it. Small experiments lead to bigger change. And mental
health? It’s a mosaic, not a makeover.
Discover a wealth of knowledge and support with Angela G. Gentile’s insightful books and
resources—visit AngelaGGentile.com to explore her work and connect with a community
dedicated to well-being and caregiving.
Bio: Sharon Wagner pens her thoughts from her personal retreat in Wisconsin. She finds it deeply satisfying to share about a wide range of topics to people across the US and Canada.
“Cancer Up the Wazoo” (13 Sep 2018) is now available for purchase on 
It was very hard to put down Michele Longabaugh’s book, 
Angela G. Gentile, BSW, MSW 