A Path to Mental Wellness in 2025

Even in late winter, the first signs of growth begin to stir. Beneath the earth, seeds prepare to sprout, and bare branches whisper a dream of spring. Just as nature quietly lays the foundation for renewal, we too can take these early months of the year to prepare ourselves for growth. The fact is, our minds, like gardens, require consistent care – watering, sunlight, and attention. But sometimes, storms can strike without warning, leaving us scrambling to weather their force.

In 2024, I was hit with such a storm. Between commuting 80 kilometres weekly, juggling academic research, and managing a 40-hour work week, I find it miraculous I didn’t completely burn out. Luckily, I pulled through, thanks to the practice of mindfulness, meditation, and other small, intentional changes I made to my lifestyle. After a year of continued care, I’ve discovered many practical ways to nurture growth, calm the chaos, and rebuild my inner garden from the roots up.

• Reconnect with Nature: After a long day, taking a walk in a green space like Benjakitti Park is the best way to wind down. Surrounding yourself with trees and foliage can help clear your mind, lower stress, and offer a moment to reflect. Even a short stroll can give your lungs some much needed fresh air, leaving you rejuvenated.

• Create a Sacred Space: Light a candle, put on your favourite record, and allow yourself to do absolutely nothing for 15 minutes. An intentional pause creates a buffer between the demands of the day and your personal time, allowing you to reset without any screens or stimuli.

• Robin Schindelka: Robin’s guided meditations are perfect for winding down after a stressful day. One of my personal favourites is "Easy Meditation for Deep Peace and Surrender". In this practice, she gently helps you visualise your worries and anxieties from a safe distance, like watching them from the other side of a river. It’s a simple practice, but it’s made a dramatic difference for me in separating life’s chaos from my own sense of peace.

YouTube: @robinschindelka2117

• Gibi ASMR: ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is a relaxing sensation triggered by specific sounds, and Gibi has been a standout creator in this space since 2016. Whether she’s recreating the Bee Movie (2007) in a shot-for-shot ASMR parody, or roleplaying as your D&D-obsessed friend, her imaginative and high-quality videos are unmatched. Gibi’s soft-spoken voice and signature cadence never fail to soothe, often leaving me in a state of deep relaxation – or fast asleep – within minutes.

YouTube: @GibiASMR

• Breath by James Nestor: The fact is, about half of us are mouth breathers, a practice which has left us with collapsed airways, deformed faces, and overall poorer health. Breath provides techniques to reverse this, offering actionable methods to breathe better for improved health and mindfulness. Try breathing techniques like Tummo, the Wim Hof method, or the 4-7-8 breathing method to calm anxiety.

• The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest: This book delves into the concept of self-sabotage, exploring how certain habits and thought patterns formed through life’s adversities can hinder our personal growth. With a focus on resilience and self-awareness, it offers strategies to transform obstacles into opportunities, helping you embrace change and step into your true potential.

Samurai Champloo Music Record: Departure by Nujabes: Widely celebrated as a pioneer of lo-fi hip-hop, Japanese artist Nujabes was active in the early 2000s, crafting introspective and soulful beats that gained him a global following. Departure, created in 2004 for the iconic anime Samurai Champloo, remains a timeless soundtrack for quiet moments of reflection or planning out your week. My favorite song? Aruarian Dance of course.

Mr. Money With The Vibe by Asake: This debut album by Nigerian artist Asake beautifully blends energetic afrobeats with smooth, hypnotic melodies. Sung in Yoruba and English, Asake's catchy flows and infectious rhythms create an earworm of an experience – something I find myself coming back to over and over again.

• Headspace: With over 100 million downloads, Headspace is the most widely known meditation app on the market. Suited for beginners and seasoned meditators alike, Headspace offers guided meditations, sleep aids, and mindfulness exercises. Back in 2021, they also launched a few animated series on Netflix called Guide to Meditation, Unwind Your Mind, and Guide to Sleep, all geared to educate viewers on the best strategies to relax, find their centre, and achieve deep restful sleep.

• Calm: Calm stands out with its soothing Sleep Stories, whether you want to drift off to the voice of Matthew McConaughey or explore mindfulness through a masterclass with Jay Shetty. With guided meditations, curated relaxing soundscapes, and tools to ease stress, Calm offers something for everyone seeking a moment of peace.