Working toward better mental health is an essential component of leading a happy, productive life. If someone has good mental health, it does not necessarily mean that they’re happy all of the time—it means they have the tools and mindset to see them through the hard times. Bad things may happen in our lives but learning to be thoughtful, insightful, and resourceful can help us move through them more easily.

It’s normal to experience hardships in life, and we sometimes let these hardships get us down. Luckily, there are many aspects of our lives that are within our control. Self-help tools can often deepen self-awareness, help you cope with life in healthier ways, and improve your emotional and mental health. Self-help also offers advice and strategies to better understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors contribute to your mental health and well-being.

Every now and then, we may feel the need for a sign, a kind gesture, or maybe just some words of wisdom. Quotes hold power. They’re a form of storytelling. They’re often spoken from the heart. And (arguably) most importantly, they offer a unique perspective from one person’s life that just may impact several others out there. If you happen to be stressed, it may be a good time for some tender loving self-care. Here are some encouraging words that may help you on your self-care journey.

One method that can help us to address and identify our needs is to conduct a personal needs assessment. A personal needs assessment involves a thorough evaluation of your current skills, resources, interests, and areas for improvement. By identifying these key elements, you can gain a clearer understanding of where you stand and what you need to focus on.

A wish list is a tool to keep track of what you want. These lists are often organized by theme–potential travel destinations, hair care products, and what you’re looking for in your next apartment. You can keep a wish list in many formats–in a notebook, on an app, or as a collage. The list can also keep wishes (or goals) at the forefront of your mind so you’re motivated to keep working toward them.

Work-life balance is the amount of time you spend doing your job versus the amount of time that you spend at home—home time is, for example, time spent with friends, family, and pursuing your personal interests. When your work-life balance is off-center, there can be a myriad of mental, physical, and emotional problems that arise. Check out this article for tips and benefits on balancing your work and home life.

Morning affirmations are phrases or statements that we say to ourselves to focus our minds on more positive outcomes. Repeating positive affirmations can help shift our mindset in ways that help us more easily manifest the life we want. Research on related topics like optimism, positive thinking, and growth mindset further support the idea that shifting our thinking in positive ways is good for us, especially since we tend to have a negativity bias.

Healthy eating, or good nutrition, is simply eating adequate, well-balanced meals to support your body’s needs. At the heart of healthy eating is doing what helps you feel well. A healthy diet does not have to look a particular way and can accommodate many types of palates, dietary restrictions, and lifestyles. What matters is figuring out what foods help you feel like your best self.

In American culture, relaxation is considered a luxury, something only those privileged enough to have sufficient resources get to enjoy. However, relaxation is actually an important contributor to our mental and physical health. When we don’t allow ourselves to take time to unwind, the harmful effects of daily stressors begin to accumulate and can contribute to psychological and physical maladies. Relaxing gives our bodies and minds a chance to recover from stress and allows us to live our best lives.

We all have challenges that we need to heal from. Some of us have emotional challenges, others of us have physical challenges, and some of us have both. Luckily, we actually have a lot of power to make positive changes to our well-being. We can shift the way we think and how we treat our bodies. As a result of these efforts, we can begin to heal and recover from the hardships we’ve experienced.