How Therapy Can Help You Build a Mental Health Self-Care Routine That Sticks

Lilla Jones, MA, LPC

Mental health is something we often overlook when life gets busy, yet it’s essential to our overall well-being. Building a mental health self-care routine is one of the best ways to maintain emotional balance and resilience. However, for many people, it can be difficult to create a routine that lasts. That’s where therapy can help.

In this blog, we’ll explore how therapy can guide you in developing a mental health self-care routine that works for you, and how professional support can make the process easier and more effective.

1. Therapy Can Help You Set Realistic, Achievable Goals

One of the first steps in building a mental health self-care routine is setting goals. Without clear, attainable goals, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Therapy provides a safe space to discuss your needs, your challenges, and what you hope to achieve in your routine.

A skilled therapist can help you set realistic, achievable goals that align with your lifestyle. Whether it’s establishing a daily mindfulness practice, committing to regular exercise, or setting boundaries in your personal life, therapy can help you break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. These small victories will keep you motivated and on track.

2. How Therapy Supports Your Consistency

Consistency is key when building any routine, especially one focused on mental health. Many people struggle with maintaining a self-care routine, especially when life gets busy or stressful. Therapy can help you develop strategies to stay consistent by working with you on time management, stress reduction, and dealing with obstacles that might arise.

For example, if you struggle to stick to a daily meditation practice or find it hard to make time for exercise, your therapist at Old Town Counseling can offer tailored solutions to make these activities feel more doable. Whether it’s adjusting the frequency or finding alternative practices, therapy can help you stay committed to your routine over the long term.

3. Therapists Help You Identify What Works for You

Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not work for another. Finding a therapist near you is essential. Therapy helps you identify what activities and practices will best support your mental health, taking into account your preferences, personality, and lifestyle.

For example, some people may find journaling helpful for processing emotions, while others might prefer physical activities like yoga or hiking. A therapist will guide you through this exploration process and help you discover what practices will make the most impact on your mental well-being. This personalized approach increases the likelihood that your self-care routine will stick.

4. Therapy Provides Accountability and Encouragement

One of the key benefits of working with a therapist in Colorado is having someone to hold you accountable. Building a self-care routine is much easier when you have a supportive professional who can help you stay focused and motivated.

Regular therapy sessions give you a chance to check in on your progress, reflect on challenges, and celebrate successes. Having that accountability can make a huge difference, especially on days when you might feel too stressed or exhausted to prioritize self-care. Your therapist can offer encouragement, reinforce your progress, and help you get back on track when needed.

5. Therapy Can Help You Build Resilience to Stress and Challenges

Life is full of challenges—stress at work, relationship difficulties, financial pressures, and more. Without the right tools, it’s easy for these challenges to derail your mental health routine. Therapy helps you develop coping strategies to manage stress and emotional challenges in a healthy way.

Whether it’s through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, or other therapeutic techniques, therapy gives you the tools to navigate stress without letting it interfere with your self-care routine. When you can handle challenges more effectively, your mental health routine becomes more sustainable.

6. Therapy Helps You Address Underlying Issues That Impact Self-Care

Sometimes, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma can make it difficult to take care of yourself. Therapy helps address these underlying issues, allowing you to work through emotional barriers that might be hindering your self-care routine.

By addressing these deeper emotional struggles with the support of a trained therapist, you’ll be able to create a more holistic and effective self-care routine. Therapy helps you gain clarity and insight into the factors that may be holding you back, and empowers you to take the steps necessary for healing and growth.

7. Therapy Helps You Establish Healthy Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is a critical component of any self-care routine. Without clear boundaries, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, stressed, and burned out. Therapy provides a space to discuss and work on boundary-setting skills, helping you identify where you need to protect your time and energy.

Whether it’s saying no to extra work or carving out time for yourself, therapy can guide you through the process of setting limits in a healthy way. By establishing boundaries with the help of your therapist, you’ll be better able to protect your mental health and make self-care a priority.

8. How Therapy Helps You Make Self-Care a Long-Term Commitment

Building a mental health self-care routine that lasts requires long-term commitment. Therapy can help you create a routine that not only fits into your life but becomes an integral part of it. By regularly attending therapy, checking in on your progress, and receiving guidance when needed, you’ll be able to maintain a sustainable self-care routine for years to come.

For those in the Fort Collins area, Old Town Counseling is a wonderful resource for therapy and support. Lilla Jones, a therapist at Old Town Counseling, works with clients to help them build practical, lasting self-care routines. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or simply need help managing daily stress, Lilla’s compassionate approach can help you develop a self-care plan that works for you.

Let’s Recap!

Therapy is an invaluable tool for building a mental health self-care routine that sticks. With the support of a skilled therapist, you can develop realistic goals, stay consistent, identify the right practices for you, and address underlying issues that may be hindering your ability to care for yourself. Therapy can provide the structure, accountability, and emotional support you need to make self-care a lasting and fulfilling part of your life.

If you’re looking to start or refine your self-care routine, consider reaching out to Old Town Counseling and working with Lilla Jones. Together, you can create a personalized plan that aligns with your unique needs and helps you prioritize your mental health in a way that lasts.