Dear stoics,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we thought the best way to open it is with a number worth knowing: over one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition. That's roughly one in eight of us. So if you've been feeling down or overwhelmed, you are not alone. And this month in Stoic Letters, we want to talk about it.
Let’s start with the basics. Here are some things you can do when you feel something might be wrong:
Talk it out. This might be a bit hard, but it's also one of the most important steps. Keeping your feelings inside and carrying them alone makes everything worse. Find one person you trust and tell them you haven't been feeling great lately. If you don't feel ready to talk to someone close to you, look for a support group — online or in person.
Go professional. Apps can help, journaling certainly helps, and so do friends. But none of them replace a qualified therapist or a doctor who can listen to you fully, ask the right questions, and offer solutions. We're all different, and mental health support needs to be personal. If you've been thinking about therapy, this month is a perfect time to start.
Put the phone down already! Yes, we know — you've heard this one so many times. But the evidence keeps piling up. Research consistently links scrolling with increased stress and anxiety. So close the apps and go for a walk. Say hello to a stranger while you're at it. Human contact is something no screen can replace.
Watch out for the birds! While you're on your walk, try some birdwatching. You might be surprised how enjoyable and peaceful it can be.
This week in Stoic, we'd suggest:
🧘 Anxiety Relief Series — journal to calm down and ground yourself
🌀 Worry Awareness Training to notice what you’re afraid of and let go of it
🌬️ Breathing Exercises to alleviate stress and anxiety
📋 GAD-7 & PHQ-9 Assessments — check in with your mental health state
Yours truly,
The Stoic App Team
When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.
Fred Rogers
After all the serious stuff we just talked about, now it’s time for something lighter. Let's reflect on fun this week!
Forget productivity and self-improvement, and focus on the things that are just entertaining: the music you put on when cleaning your flat, the films you rewatch all the time, the games you play, and all the silly things that make you laugh. Joy deserves your attention, because it isn't a reward for something — it's a big part of your life.
Each day until Sunday, a new prompt in Stoic will invite you to reflect on what entertains you, and what that says about who you are. And remember, give yourself a break when you need it!
