A mental health planner is a tool that can be used to help manage and monitor mental wellness. It can be used to keep track of appointments, medications, and other important information related to mental health. Additionally, a mental health planner can help individuals set goals and track progress over time.
Which conditions can a mental health planner help with?
A self care planner can help manage any number of mental conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Additionally, a self-care planner can be used to help manage stress, sleep disorders, and other issues that may impact overall well being.[1]
Benefits of using a mental health or self care planner
Some benefits of using a self care planner include increased organization, improved communication with healthcare providers, and enhanced self-awareness and self love. Additionally, research has shown that using a wellness planner can improve medication adherence and overall mental health outcomes.
Now you may be wondering, do you only need a self care planners if you have a mental illness? The answer is no! Self care planners can be beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their mental well-being.
If you do have a condition they work great as you can put your sample treatment plan inside and follow it and note down your progress. If you are not following an immediate routine, consider using one as a mood tracker or an overall wellness journal. I will explain more about how to use a planner for these things below.[2]
Digital Planner or Paper Diary, what are the benefits?
Self care toolkits come in many different forms, from digital apps to paper journals. There is no wrong way to use a mental health diary, so choose the option that works best for you. Digital planners offer the convenience of being able to access your information anywhere, anytime. Additionally, many digital planners come with features like password protection and the ability to share information with a healthcare provider.
Paper diaries offer the benefit of being a more tangible way to track your mental health. Many people find it helpful to physically write out their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, paper diaries can be customized with different covers and pages to fit your needs.[3][4][5][6]
Get to know positive psychology and its role in self-care
Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living, emphasizing self-care as a pivotal component. It’s a relatively new field that explores how we can live happier, more fulfilled lives by understanding and harnessing our strengths and capabilities, and incorporating self-care practices to enhance our well-being.
Through research and experimentation, positive psychologists have identified several key factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, aligning closely with self-care principles. These factors include nurturing positive relationships, finding a sense of meaning and purpose in life, fostering a feeling of autonomy and control over one’s life, and achieving a sense of accomplishment.
While traditional psychology often addresses mental illness and psychopathology, positive psychology offers a refreshing perspective. It focuses on enhancing what’s right with people and promoting self-care strategies that bolster well-being.
Positive psychology aims to guide individuals towards happier, more fulfilling lives by leveraging their strengths and abilities, underscored by self-care routines. By understanding what makes life most worth living, we can all embrace self-care methods to live our best possible lives, reinforcing the core values of positive psychology.
What are some of the key principles of positive psychology?
Some key principles guide the field of positive psychology. These include the focus on strengths and virtues: Positive psychology focuses on identifying and developing people’s strengths and virtues, rather than their weaknesses. This helps individuals to build on their existing strengths and to find new ways to thrive. This will be the focus of our mental health planner below.[7][8]
Addressing the negative voice in your head
We all have that negative voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough, that we can’t do it, etc. A great way to combat that negative voice is to write it down.
Some things you may want to include are:
- What does the negative voice say?
- Why is it saying that?
- What is the evidence for and against what it’s saying?
- How can I reframe what it’s saying in a more positive light?
Writing about these things can help you identify the negative voice, understand why it’s saying what it’s saying, and reframe it in a more positive light. An example would be if the negative voice said “you’re not good enough,” you could reframe it to say “I am doing my best and that is good enough.”
Use your journal as a tool to brainstorm solutions
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, sometimes it can be helpful to write out your thoughts and brainstorm some possible solutions.
Some things you may want to include are:
- What is the problem?
- What are some possible solutions?
- What are the pros and cons of each solution?
- What is the best course of action?
Writing about these things can help you identify the problem, brainstorm possible solutions, and choose the best course of action.
References
- “Top 5 Benefits of Using a Self-Care Planner for Your Mental Health – Insight Tribune”. https://www.nalug.net/top-5-benefits-of-using-a-self-care-planner-for-your-mental-health/
- “The Wellness Planner: empowerment, quality of life, and continuity of care in mental illness – PubMed”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21784286/
- “Digital Planners vs. Paper Planners: Which is Better? | by Branden Bodendorfer | Medium”. https://bodendorfer.medium.com/digital-planners-vs-paper-planners-which-is-better-ff5531b6d9fe
- “Digital Planner vs Paper Planner: The Ultimate Showdown”. https://bestdigitalplanner.net/digital-planner-vs-paper-planner/
- “Can a Paper Planner Make You More Productive? – Freedom Matters”. https://freedom.to/blog/paper-or-digital-planner/
- “Blog – Printable Planners vs. Digital Planners: Which One is Right for You?”. https://www.emotivondesigns.com/post/printable-planners-vs-digital-planners-which-one-is-right-for-you
- “Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology Theory”. https://positivepsychology.com/positive-psychology-theory/
- “Positive Psychology 101: Core Principles & Life-Changing Benefits”. https://therapyhelpers.com/therapy-types/what-is-positive-psychology/
- “30 Best Journaling Prompts for Improving Mental Health”. https://positivepsychology.com/journaling-prompts/
- “Why Being Thankful Is Good for You”. https://time.com/4124288/thanksgiving-day-2015-thankful-gratitude/
