Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: How You Can Focus on Self-Care
Looking for guidance to support your overall well-being in high school? Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is the ideal time to refocus on what matters!
Written by Mace Bautista '28
Everybody has something they struggle with, and that’s okay. Whether it’s bottling up your emotions till you explode or being unable to regulate them, it’s totally normal and what makes us human.
What is important to know is how to practice taking care of yourself and improving your mental health to prevent burnout and just be in a healthier state of mind overall. This year, Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 during the month of May is a chance to celebrate and spread recognition.
Here are some ways to prioritize and execute self-care!
Self-Care Ideas for Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
Take a look at my list of tips and see what resonates with you…
1. Everyday Treats and Small Acts of Self-Care
One way I like to practice taking good care of myself is by setting aside some time every day to treat myself, whether it's enjoying a little sweet treat, doing my nails, or doing a face mask before bed, just to calm my nerves and relax my nervous system. While these tasks can seem small or insignificant, it can do wonders in the long run.
2. Gentle Movement and Physical Health
Another way I like to practice self-care is through keeping my physical health in shape – and I don’t mean running a ton of miles every day, because, as anyone who knows me knows, I absolutely abhor running, as I’m sure I’m not alone in.
But every night, before bed, I do at least five minutes of yoga. “Stretching before resting” is honestly one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received, and I swear by it. You can use any five-minute video on YouTube, and it doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just fun and relaxing.
3. How Exercise Supports Your Mind and Mood
Our minds and bodies go hand in hand in many ways – by keeping our physical state healthy, we also keep our mental state well.
To get literal, exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural neurotransmitters that act as “mood improvers,” reducing overall stress and increasing feelings of happiness. That's why people like to go out on a run or walk when they're stressed; your mood is usually better, or at least much calmer than before, alleviating inner tension.
4. Nourishing Yourself With Balance
In addition to this, self-care is not only in the things that we do, but the things that we eat. Balance is key, which means eating small, minuscule portions of kale a day is no better than finishing the entire box of Twinkies in one sitting.
Eating three solid and substantial meals, coupled with maybe a cookie for dessert, is perfect for maintaining nutritional health and, in turn, mental health.
5. Journaling and Coping With Stress as a Student
Now, to get internal – managing feelings can be difficult, especially as a high school student. It often feels like I’m drowning in a sea of tests, homework, projects, and, to top it all off, extracurriculars like club commitments and working.
One way I like to calm myself down is by writing in a journal. It doesn't have to be daily; it can be just a few times a week. But writing down what you’re feeling or just any thoughts you may have had during your busy day.
6. Reducing Screen Time to Alleviate Stress
Also, as much as I love my phone, reducing screen time is often another way to alleviate stress. Whether it's the news or just social media in general, there's something constantly stressful about being chronically online.
Taking a break does wonders, or even swapping out screen time for something else is a great alternative. Instead of doomscrolling for hours, I put down my phone and just watch a couple of comforting episodes from a favorite show or a good movie.
7. Reconnecting With Hobbies You Love
This little piece of advice can seem redundant and familiar, but I often forget it myself. One big mood changer that works for me is engaging in doing the things I love. Whenever I feel down, I think to myself, “When was the last time I read a book, or wrote something for fun?”
We tend to get stuck in the cycle of constantly working for the clock, being efficient in ways that are obtrusive, but we hardly realize that to keep productivity high, we have to maintain inner peace and contentment.
Whether it’s painting, drawing, writing, or doing jigsaw puzzles, passions and hobbies help keep us happy and human, rather than robots just doing one task after the other. We have to learn how to enjoy ourselves in order to live.
Let’s Reach Out and Support Each Other
What many people tend to realize yet forget is the unofficial yet obvious stigma behind those who are struggling mentally. Words like “mentally ill” are thrown around jokingly, but in truth, we have all struggled with our mental health.
What is important during Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 – or any time of the year – is finding the key to managing our stress and reducing it. Then, we can also help others who may be struggling.
Just because someone looks like they have it all together, you never really know what’s going on internally. Some ways to find or offer support include simply reaching out to friends and casually striking up a conversation about it. You might be surprised by what you find out.
