Nu Leaf Therapy By Roslyn Ashford

Mental Health Is More Than Self-Care Sundays

Roslyn L. Ashford, LPC

A Beginner’s Guide to
Taking Care of Your Mind Every Day
Picture of Hi! I'm Dr. Roz

Hi! I'm Dr. Roz

You have the power to make an impact in your life, career, and relationships. My goal is to help you unlock the path.

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May can be a beautiful month—but for many, it can also be a heavy one. Between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, reminders of loss can feel especially sharp. Even if it’s been years, you may find yourself caught off guard by an ache you thought had settled.

If you’re feeling tender, you’re not alone. Grief doesn’t follow the calendar. It moves in waves. It whispers in memories, shows up in unexpected silence, and clings to the empty chairs at celebrations.

But here’s what I want you to know:

Grief is not a flaw. It’s not a weakness. It’s a reflection of your love.

In a world that praises hustle and highlights, caring for your mental health can feel like just one more thing on the never-ending to-do list. Maybe you think of it as something you deal with only when things get bad. Or maybe you’ve been told to “just do some self-care” and hope for the best.

But here’s the truth:

Mental health isn’t just about crisis. It’s about care. Consistency. Compassion.
And you don’t need a breakdown to start tending to your inner world.

You just need a beginning.

In this post we’ll cover everything from what mental health actually is, to signs you need some mental health TLC, to ways to prevent and manage mental health concerns. 

  1. What is Mental Health, Really?
  2. Signs Your Mental Health Needs Some Attention
  3. Where Do I Even Start?
  4. 5 Small Acts that Lead to Big Shifts
  5. Do I Need Therapy? Yes or Nah?

🧠 What Is Mental Health, Really?

Mental health is your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
It shapes how you think, how you feel, how you relate to others, and how you handle stress, transitions, and daily life.

You have mental health the same way you have physical health.
It exists whether or not you talk about it—and it needs attention to stay strong.

Mental health isn’t just about diagnosing disorders or navigating crisis (although those matter, too).
It’s also about:

  • Feeling grounded in yourself

  • Navigating change without falling apart

  • Building relationships that don’t deplete you

  • Being able to rest without guilt

  • Reconnecting with joy and presence

👀 Signs Your Mental Health Needs Some Attention

You don’t have to wait until things fall apart to care for your mind.
Here are a few subtle signs that your mental and emotional well-being may need support:

  • You’re constantly tired, even after rest

  • You feel disconnected from joy or purpose

  • You snap at loved ones or withdraw from people

  • You rely on scrolling, snacking, or staying busy to avoid your emotions

  • You’re having trouble sleeping or constantly overthinking

  • You’re feeling stuck but can’t explain why

These aren’t signs of failure.
They’re signs that your nervous system, your inner world, is asking for care—not perfection.

🌱 Where Do I Even Start?

This is one of the most common questions I hear—especially from high-achievers who are exhausted but don’t want to “fall behind.” The good news?
You don’t need to overhaul your life.

Healing starts in the small, quiet moments.
The everyday choices that feel too simple to matter—but they do.

What you’re really building is mental hygiene: a rhythm of checking in with yourself the same way you brush your teeth or wash your face. It’s not glamorous—but it’s effective. And it helps you build resilience, clarity, and peace over time.

✨ 5 Small Acts That Lead to Big Shifts

1. Start Your Day with Stillness

Even 3 minutes of deep breathing before you reach for your phone can help your nervous system feel grounded and safe.

2. Name Your Feelings

Once a day, pause and ask: “What am I feeling right now?”
Labeling your emotions can reduce overwhelm and increase emotional clarity.

3. Speak Kindly to Yourself

Notice a critical thought? Gently replace it.
Try: “I’m doing the best I can with what I have.”
Self-compassion builds inner trust.

4. Create a 3-Minute Ritual

Pick a grounding practice you can repeat daily:
Light a candle. Stretch in silence. Sip tea without distractions.
Let it signal safety and become a “mini-reset” for your mind.

5. Create Boundaries (Even Small Ones)

Turn off one notification. Mute one source of stress.
Peace doesn’t always come from adding—it often comes from subtracting.

🗣️ Do I Need Therapy to Take Care of My Mental Health?

Short answer? No. You don’t need therapy to start caring for your mind.
But if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward—it can be incredibly helpful.

Therapy isn’t just for breakdowns.
It’s also for:

  • Gaining clarity

  • Healing past wounds

  • Processing grief or change

  • Setting healthy boundaries

  • Becoming more emotionally resilient

  • Building a life that aligns with who you are

If you’re not ready for therapy just yet, that’s okay. But know that it’s a powerful, supportive space—and when you’re ready, help is available.

You Don’t Need Perfection—You Just Need a Starting Point

Mental health care doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require perfect routines, expensive tools, or major life overhauls.
It just requires intention. And the willingness to start small.

Download the free guide: 7 Steps to Start Your Healing Journey

This free guide walks you through gentle, powerful shifts to help you reconnect with your mind, emotions, and next steps. Whether you’re just beginning or starting again, it’s a compassionate roadmap to healing.

A Powerful Start On Your Journey

Healing is often thought of as this big, complicated process that feels impossible to start — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

The 7 Steps to Start Your Healing Journey is a simple, clear guide to help you begin, whether you’re taking the first step toward therapy or need guidance on how to heal on your own.

Manageable Steps toward Healing and Healthy Relationships

This free guide is a gentle, empowering starting point for anyone ready to move out of survival mode and into healing — but unsure where to begin.

Through 7 reflective, soul-honoring steps, you’ll learn how to reconnect with your emotional world, release what’s been weighing you down, and take the first aligned steps toward lasting change. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel:

  • More grounded and emotionally aware
  • Clearer about what’s been holding you back
  • Encouraged to take action — with support, not pressure
  • Empowered to begin healing on your own terms

Begin Your Transformation in three steps

Download the Guide

Start with a free, gentle guide that helps you reflect, reset, and move forward with clarity.

Reflect and Journal

Use the reflection prompts to tune into your needs and begin the healing process — one small shift at a time.

Walk Away with a Strategy

You’ll have a clear, personal roadmap to help you take action that fits your life.

You’re not alone on this journey

We understand how isolating it can feel to face life’s challenges. This workshop offers a compassionate space where you can explore self-discovery and healing with others who understand your struggles. Trust us to guide you with wisdom and care. Our approach combines empathy with expert guidance, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. With nearly two decades of experience, we know how to empower you to reclaim your emotional well-being.

Roslyn Ashford, LPC

Founder and Clinical Director
Licensed Professional Counselor

Biopic

Ariel Kinsey, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Download 7 Steps to Start Your Healing Journey

A therapist’s guide to mental health and wellness 
Empower yourself to heal and grow.

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