Feeling Blue? Follow These Emotionally Affirming Instagrams To Bolster Your Mental Health

Diane Lam
Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:00:00 Z

While these are by no means a substitute for professional treatment, they'll add a bit of light and love to your nightly scrolling

PHOTO: UNSPLASH/PAUL ANTOR

If you've ever been stuck in an Instagram doom scroll, then you'll know how depressed and unfulfilled you can feel afterward. So it should come as no surprise that "Instagram therapists", self-care, and emotionally affirming posts have been on the rise. While these aren't a subtitutue for professional help, they can bolster your mental wellbeing if you lack the time or finances to go see a therapist.

At the very least, they'll provide some relief from the chaotic news cycle.

Here are some of our favourites:

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A post shared by Psychology Today (@psych_today) on Jul 27, 2020 at 3:27pm PDT

@psych_today

Feeling overhwhelmed? Psychology Today's Instagram account provides practical insights into human behaviour, distilling coping mechanisms into bite-sized listicles.

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A post shared by Psychology Today (@psych_today) on Jul 18, 2020 at 12:25pm PDT

They've also posted a ton of content about dealing with difficult people. Whether you're feeling bogged down by self-destructive friends and family members, or you're struggling to set boundaries with a partner, psych_today will equip you with the tools to tackle interpersonal conflicts head-on.

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A post shared by Nedra Glover Tawwab, Therapist (@nedratawwab) on Jul 23, 2020 at 2:49pm PDT

Therapist and boundaries expert Nedra Glover Tawwab specialises in helping people create healthy relationships, both with themselves and with others. Follow this account if you struggle with saying no to others, and yes to yourself.

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A post shared by Alyssa (Lia)Mancao,Therapist\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\udded (@alyssamariewellness) on May 5, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

@alyssamariewellness

Therapist Alyssa Marie Mancao (lovingly) calls out your unhelpful thought patterns when others won't.

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A post shared by Alyssa (Lia)Mancao,Therapist\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\udded (@alyssamariewellness) on May 14, 2020 at 12:00pm PDT

And charts like this one give us a better handle on how to interact with others (and how to identify problematic communication styles).

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A post shared by Michael James Schneider (@blcksmth) on May 15, 2020 at 9:40am PDT

@blcksmth

This account full of beautifully staged affirmations has helped us get out of bed on more than one occasion.

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A post shared by Michael James Schneider (@blcksmth) on Mar 9, 2020 at 9:57am PDT

And it's also reminded us to not give up when we've had a bad mental health day.

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A post shared by Steven Bartlett (@steven) on Jul 12, 2020 at 2:27pm PDT

@steven

Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett has been posting a series of motivational listicles, and we are LIVING for it.

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A post shared by Self Care 4 you (@selfcare4yu) on Jun 25, 2020 at 11:26am PDT

@selfcare4yu

Self-improvement and self-love packaged in pastel. We feel calmer already.

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A post shared by ari ¨̮ (@stayalivebabe) on Jul 14, 2020 at 5:50pm PDT

@stayalivebabe

Need some mantras? This account full of positive tweets and quotes might just ra-ra you out of your sadness, one post at a time.

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A post shared by Official Chibird ⭐️ Jacqueline (@chibirdart) on Jul 20, 2020 at 10:04am PDT

@chibirdart

Feeling glum? These cute, motivational drawings will put a smile on your face.

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A post shared by The Depression Project (@realdepressionproject) on Jul 13, 2020 at 5:15pm PDT

@realdepressionproject

Run by two brothers, one a counsellor and the other a depression recoverer, The Depression Project was created to stop the stigma around mental illness and to empower those who are struggling with them.

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A post shared by The Gottman Institute (@gottmaninstitute) on Jul 7, 2020 at 11:50am PDT

@gottmaninstitute

When you're feeling frustrated with your child, kids, or other family members, don't scream at them - instead, head over to The Gottman Institute for a research-based approach to dealing with relationships.

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A post shared by Jade | Special Educator (@what.is.mental.illness) on Apr 30, 2020 at 4:25pm PDT

@what.is.mental.illness

It's often difficult to understand what we're feeling and why, which makes it even harder to deal with our emotions instead of lashing out or pushing them away. This account uses simple illustrations and charts to help you make mental health less of a mystery.

If you find yourself struggling with depression and anxiety during this period, here are some helplines you can call.

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