MIND YOUR HEAD

9 ways to take care of your mental health in 2026

- CHRISTINA CARON DANA G. SMITH

As the busy holiday season wraps up, pause to spare a thought for your brain. Does it need some TLC? These tips can help you take care of — and improve — your mental and cognitive health now and throughout 2026.

Here is some of the best advice we learned from experts in 2025 about showing ourselves some grace, staying sharp, getting better sleep and breaking free from our phones.

GO FOR A WALK

Physical activity is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your mental and cognitive health at any age. And research consistently shows that as you get older, staying active can help to reduce your risk for dementia.

One recent study found that among adults who were at risk for Alzheimer's disease, those who averaged more daily steps had less cognitive decline over the course of nine years. People who took 5,001 to 7,500 steps fared best, but those who walked 3,001 to 5,000 steps a day also had slower decline than people who were more sedentary.

TACKLE YOUR JUNK DRAWER

If your home — and your brain — are feeling a little messy, try some "soft decluttering". Don't attempt to deep clean your whole place; just pick a pain point, and set aside time to tidy that one small space.

This type of mini-overhaul may be enough to give many of us what we seek when we think about organising: a mental load lightened, a satisfying before-and-after. "Sometimes you need a small measure of control in a world that feels chaotic," said Tara Bremer, a professional home organiser in Birmingham, Alabama, US. "If it's one junk drawer, be the boss of the junk drawer."

BE KINDER TO YOURSELF

Do you find that you're empathetic towards other people but overly hard on yourself? You might need an extra dose of self-compassion.