Micro-changes for mental health I'm slowly seeing are too easily underestimated, but when you're in the dark you don't appreciate small changes as a possible way out because severe mental illnesses can be totally debilitating on your ability to cope and function at all. They don't have to be big changes, even just healthier substitutions It makes me ponder the concept whether the clarity and quality of consciousness we experience is very karmic in nature day-to-day and by simply making small, better, less habitual repetitive reactions which we tend to be stuck in, into more conscious healthy choices one can slowly reduce suffering and improve quality of consciousness Some examples I've found have had cumulative impacts on my quality of consciousness and reduction of suffering lately: "I'm so tired, I need a highly caffeinated beverage to boost my energy" to "I'm so tired, I need to nourish myself with a slow bit of self-care time by having a refreshing, nourishing herbal tea and finding new nourishing ways to eat healthily" "My mood is so low, I need a more effective antidepressant" to "My mood is so low, I need to try new healthy things and do and enjoy things I value" "I'm so stressed out I can't do ANYTHING" to "I'm going to try and reduce my stress by giving myself a soothing unco aromatherapy massage" "I need nicotine (NRT)" to "I'm going to try and slowly reduce my dependence on it" "I'm going to buy a quick and easy meal tonight" to "I'm going to put some effort into learning to cook a new way eg make an Ayruvedic meal from scratch" "I'm going to eat simply and mindlessly" to "I'm going to sit down to eat food mindfully and enjoy the tastes and aromas whilst expressing gratitude under candlelight as an act of self- 1 kindness and devotion" 2