6 Therapist-Recommended Practices to Support Your Mental Health in 2026

As therapists, we’re often asked what actually helps—what creates real, embodied change rather than just insight.

While everyone’s healing journey is unique, there are a few practices that consistently support nervous system regulation, emotional health, and personal growth. As we move into 2026, here are six therapist-recommended practices to consider integrating into your life.

1. Find a Therapist You Feel Truly Seen By

Therapy works best when you feel safe, understood, and supported. If you’re currently in therapy and something feels off, it’s okay to listen to that. You’re allowed to find a better fit. Also, if you feel like you’re not getting anywhere or experiencing true transformation, you can also ask your current therapist to try new modality or to challenge you in new ways.

You also don’t need to be in weekly or bi-weekly therapy forever. Many people benefit from doing several focused sessions, then returning during seasons of transition or stress. Having an established therapeutic relationship can be a grounding resource when life gets challenging, and when you are experiencing a season of growth and expansion.

2. Incorporate Yoga or Mindful Movement

The body and nervous system play a central role in healing. Research continues to show that yoga and mindful movement support trauma processing, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

This doesn’t require intensity or perfection. Gentle movement, breath awareness, and embodiment practices are often where the deepest healing happens. Find yourself a yoga studio or an app or something that gets you committed to moving your body in a mindful way. A few things are as helpful for mental, spiritual and physical health as Yoga.

3. Develop a Meditation Practice

Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind—it’s about becoming aware of it.

Practices that help you observe your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations can dramatically shift how you relate to anxiety, stress, and inner criticism. Even brief, consistent practice can increase regulation and self-compassion. Download “insight timer” or some other meditation app. We will be hosting a Vedic meditation training in 2026 at Bungalow so look out for that if you’re interested.

4. Read Books That Expand Your Inner World

Books can offer language and frameworks that help you make sense of your inner experience. They normalize struggles, expand perspective, and invite deeper self-understanding.

If self-development or spiritual reading hasn’t been part of your life before, 2026 might be a beautiful year to begin.

5. Find Community

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation.

Finding spaces where you can show up as yourself—and be seen—can be profoundly regulating and transformative. Community might look like a book club, story group, spiritual community/church, therapy group, yoga studio, art or craft guild, or a dance class.

Often, community asks us to step outside our comfort zone. But shared experience, vulnerability, and connection with others can be deeply healing for the nervous system and the soul.

6. Practice Leaning Into Discomfort

Avoidance can keep us stuck—even when it feels protective.

Growth and healing often live just beyond our comfort zones: in vulnerable conversations, honest self-reflection, and courageous choices. This doesn’t mean pushing or forcing yourself—it means gently noticing what you avoid and experimenting with showing up differently.

Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong. Often, it’s a sign you’re growing.

So there is a conversation that you’ve been going over in your head, but haven’t had it …have it. If there’s something you’ve been writing because it feels scary, do it.

A Closing Reflection

Healing isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about coming home to yourself.

These practices aren’t about optimization or perfection. They’re about creating the conditions for presence, compassion, connection, and wholeness—within yourself and with others. Over time, those small shifts can change everything.

You deserve to feel better and more connected to yourself and others and God. Maybe this is the year that you take steps toward living life more fully alive!

We are here to help support you!

Sarah Claire & Your Bungalow Counseling Team