Wake up at 5 AM. Drink four glasses of water. Run five miles. Do yoga. Meditate. Journal. Work on your life’s purpose. Sounds incredibly healthy, right?
Images flood your mind: artsy yellowish filters, a slow-motion water splash on the face, sipping green tea on a 69th-floor balcony overlooking a quiet morning city. That 10-second reel with 37 edits really captures our imagination. A 100% guaranteed way to mental well-being.
But does it work? Is it for you?
I bought into that vision. For months, I tried many of these “mental health” routines, struggling to keep up. I’d beat myself up for not being disciplined, feeling exhausted by midday, guilty for skipping days, and stressed at night because the cycle was set to repeat the next morning.
I failed, tried, and failed again. Yet, nothing could heal or soothe the pain I was feeling inside. The peace, calm, and mental stillness I longed for never materialized.
It took me a long time to realize something crucial: I was not for me.
Introverts, you’re Built Different
Here’s the truth: These loud, high-impact self-care routines, while well-intentioned, can actually take a toll on your mental health instead of healing you.
What you need is something quiet. Something that helps you without overwhelming you. Something soft. Something gentle.
The societal pressure to perform self-care looks great on the screen. But chasing these “ideal” routines often leaves us feeling mentally exhausted.
True self-care for an introvert is about creating a sanctuary, not a spectacle. It’s about being, not doing.
Here are some Low-Key Habits for Nurturing Your Mental Health
These are some low-key habits that have profoundly nurtured my mental health. They may not offer a life-altering transformation in the dramatic sense, but they provide a cozy, loving cosy path to self-care.
1. The Quiet Morning Coffee/Tea
Forget the 5 AM start if it stresses you out. For me, it’s about the quiet morning coffee or tea. It’s not about the time, but the intentional stillness.
I wake up when my body feels ready, make a warm drink, and simply sit. No phone, no news, no to-do lists. Just the warmth of the mug in my hands, the gentle aroma, and the quiet morning outside my window. It’s a moment to simply be before the world demands anything from me.
This quiet ritual sets a gentle tone for the day. It helps me connect with myself before juping into the world of chaos. It’s an act of gentle transition, a soft landing into wakefulness.
2. A ‘Random’ Walk
No phones. No destination. No intention. No hitting 10,000 step count. Just stepping outside and letting my feet lead me.
It might be around the block, through a quiet park, or down an unfamiliar street. The aim is simply to observe the world around me, notice the small details—a bird singing, a peculiar flower, the way the light hits a building.
It feels like meditation. It allows my mind to wander freely, unburdened by the expectations of the world. These walks are like mini-retreats. A chance to clear my head without the pressure of a workout.
3. Doing Nothing
For me, doing nothing is the greatest act of self-care.
In a productivity-obsessed world, this feels almost rebellious. But it’s essential. It means consciously choosing to sit, lie down, or simply stare out the window without an agenda.
No scrolling, no reading, no planning. Just allowing myself to exist without the pressure to produce, optimize, or consume.
It’s a space for true mental decompression, where the mind can finally rest and process without constant input.
This may look unproductive, but this is what refuels my souls. Makes me feel like me again.
4. Having a Go-To Outfit
Decision fatigue is real. It takes energy to decide. Especially when you’re an introvert who processes information more deeply.
Having a go-to outfit that is comfortable, make me feel good, and requires no thought just makes everything so simple. It’s one less decision to make, one less energy drain, freeing up mental space for more important things.
I start the day feeling comfortable and ready without unnecessary stress.
My go-to outfit is a simple black t-shirt and my blue Levi’s 512. If it’s cold, I put on a black hoodie or my favorite navy blue jacket (I’ve had it for 10 years, still going strong). That’s all I need.
5. A Calming Playlist
Music is therapy for the soul.
Not somthing that blasts out of the speakers, but something calming. Like instrumental, ambient, or soft acoustic music for specific times.
Like winding down in the evening, working on a focused task, or simply a gentle auditory hug like the sound of the rain or waves of the ocean can be incredibly soothing.
It creates a gentle soundscape that helps to regulate emotions and promote a sense of inner peace. This isn’t just background noise, but music that supports your mental state.
6. A Bed Day
Sometimes, the best self-care is simply a bed day.
Just laying on the bed all day. Chilling. Watching a movies. Binging on a mystery web series. Reading, listening to podcasts, gentle stretching, or simply drifting in and out of sleep.
It’s a complete surrender to comfort and rest. A true reset for mind and body when the world feels too loud or demanding.
This is an intentional act of extreme comfort and detachment from external pressures, allowing deep rest for the mind, body, and soul.
7. Yellow Lights for Evening
The harsh blue light from screens and LEDs can be overwhelming for sensitive introverts. Switching to yellow lights for evening dim lamps with warm-toned bulbs, or even string lights creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
To be honest, it feels like a signal to my body and mind that it’s time to unwind.
It’s like a subtle environmental shift that relaxes me and prepares me for restful sleep.
Trust me, this simple change in lighting can dramatically impact your nervous system, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
8. Self-Talk Time
Yes, I talk to myself. A lot. Having deep conversations about life. About goals. About people. What drains me. What nourishes me.
And it feels like therapy.
Allowing space for my inner monologue, listening to my thoughts without judgment, and gently guiding myself through feelings.
It might be in the shower, on a walk, or just before sleep. It’s a private dialogue, a way to process emotions, problem-solve gently, and offer myself compassion and understanding.
It’s an act of internal communication that helps me connect with myself in a deeper way.
9. A Long Hot Shower
A long hot shower (or bath, if you prefer) is a sensory experience that can sooth every cell in your body.
The warmth on the skin, the rhythmic sound of the water, the steam filling the air. A chance to wash away the day’s stresses, both literally and figuratively.
I’m not gonna go into details, because it’s something that can only be experienced. So try it.
It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated comfort and privacy.
This simple act can be a profound sensory reset, melting away tension and offering a moment of true inner peace.
10. A small break from Social Media
This is no viral digital detox with 39 steps. It’s just a gentle disengagement from social media.
Just the phone down when you feel you’re getting overstimulated. Setting time limits. Unfollowing accounts that trigger your anxiety.
It’s about creating boundaries that protect my mental energy.It’s simply curating your digital environment to support your peace, not disrupt it.
Conclusion: Find Your Gentle Rhythm
These low-key habits have been revolutionary for my mental health. And it’s not because they are groundbreaking or Instagram-worthy, but because they are gentle, and deeply respectful of my introverted nature.
They don’t demand perfection. Or a complete overhaul of my life. They don’t demand anything to be honest. They just help me pause and connect with my true nature. And help me express myself authentically. Just the way I am. You can learn more about it in my book ‘Born to Stand Out’.
The goal isn’t to add more to your already busy life, but to subtract the noise and embrace the quiet.
It’s about finding what genuinely nourishes you. Just you.
Stay blessed,
Karun