The good news is that there has never been more support available. Social media might often negatively impact our mental health – and yet, if you know who to look for, it also offers up a slew of pioneering thinkers reshaping the way we understand the mind. Throw in the fact that there are also apps that can nudge us towards calm amid the chaos of daily life, and suddenly a landscape of rich, varied and more accessible mental health begins to emerge.
Below, we’ve gathered a selection of resources, from books that soothe, to voices that inspire, to services that support, each offering a different route to resilience and self-understanding.
Five Everyday Habits For Better Mental Health
Sometimes the most powerful shifts come not from grand gestures, but from small, daily practices that gently steady the mind. Here are five to try:
- Pause For Breath
Even two minutes of conscious breathing can reset a spiralling mind. Apps like Headspace or simply setting a timer can help create these restorative pauses in a busy day. - Move Your Body Gently
This needn’t mean a punishing gym session. A short walk, some stretches by your desk, or dancing to your favourite song all release endorphins and ease tension. - Make Contact With Someone You Trust
Whether it’s a text to a friend or a call to a family member, connection is a natural antidote to loneliness and worry. Remember: you don’t have to carry everything alone. - Limit The Scroll
Social media can be inspiring, but it can also fuel comparison and anxiety. Try setting boundaries – perhaps a daily digital ‘sunset’ after 8pm – to give your mind space to rest. - Practise Gratitude
Noticing one or two small things you’re thankful for each day – whether that’s hot coffee, a kind word, fresh air – gradually builds resilience and shifts perspective.
Books That Light The Way
Few things are as consoling as the company of a wise book when the world feels heavy. These titles are amongst those rare tomes that truly become companions to return to again and again – dog-eared, underlined, and returned to in the moments we most need them.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté
Maté, a physician renowned for his compassionate work on trauma and addiction, examines how modern society itself can be a breeding ground for disconnection. His thesis – that much of what we call ‘normal’ is, in fact, deeply unhealthy – is both radical and resonant. It is also ultimately hopeful, pointing the way towards deeper connection and healing. Buy it.
The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels
Made famous through Jonah Hill’s Netflix documentary, Stutz, this book offers practical exercises that bypass endless overthinking and get straight to change. These ‘tools’ – deceptively simple but transformative – are designed to help you outwit fear, inertia and self-sabotage. Buy it.
Wintering by Katherine May
A lyrical meditation on the fallow seasons of life, May’s book is a reminder that retreat, rest and stillness are not failures but necessary phases of renewal. A beautiful companion for those in transition or seeking gentleness in the midst of struggle. And the writing! Sublime. Buy it.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt, a social psychologist, offers a compelling and urgent exploration of how the rise of smartphones and social media has reshaped childhood, adolescence and, by extension, our collective mental health. Thought-provoking and sobering, it is also galvanising: a call to rethink the role of technology in our lives. Buy it.
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Mapping 87 emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human, Brown’s book is practical and poetic – a guide to naming and navigating our inner landscapes. Buy it.
Voices To Follow For Daily Encouragement
In the cacophonous landscape of social media, there are some rare voices that manage to rise above the noise. Thoughtful, practical and deeply human, they offer reminders that healing and growth are possible, even on the days it feels furthest away.
Gabor Maté
@drgabormate
Beyond his books, Maté’s talks and interviews are widely shared online, and for good reason. His humane and unflinching approach to trauma invites us to reframe our struggles not as personal failings, but as adaptive responses to life’s wounds. Most recently, his horror at the genocide in Gaza has prompted a series of posts on generational trauma and antisemitism.
Mel Robbins
@melrobbins
With her trademark directness, Robbins has become one of the most influential motivational coaches of our time. Her ‘let them’ theory (the idea that you cannot change people’s behaviour and nor are you responsible for doing so) has proven revolutionary for many.
Dr Julie Smith
@drjulie
The British clinical psychologist has made an extraordinary impact on TikTok and Instagram, demystifying psychology in short, engaging videos. From explaining why anxiety spirals happen to offering concrete coping tools, she manages to blend expertise with accessibility in a way that resonates amongst her legion of followers.
Services To Access
For those seeking more structured help, technology has made therapeutic support more widely available than ever. Whether through a discreet app or a long-established charity, there are now ways to connect with resources from the comfort of home.
BetterHelp
The world’s largest online therapy service, BetterHelp connects people with licensed therapists via video, phone or live chat. For those who find the logistics of in-person therapy prohibitive, it can be a lifeline.
Headspace
Beautifully designed and user-friendly, Headspace has brought mindfulness meditation into the mainstream. Its short, guided sessions are ideal for beginners and busy schedules alike, offering moments of calm that accumulate into lasting benefit.
Mind UK
Closer to home, Mind remains one of the UK’s most trusted mental health charities. From its helplines to its community programmes, it offers vital support for anyone navigating the complexities of mental ill-health, as well as tireless advocacy for better care nationwide.
For Urgent Help & Crises
999 or A&E: For immediate danger to yourself or others.
NHS 111: For urgent mental health needs that are not life-threatening.
Samaritans: Call 116 123 for a free, 24/7 confidential listening service for any life challenge.
Shout: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 mental health crisis support.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK: Call 0800 068 41 41 if you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings.
