Someone who is aware of the latest memes, internet events and niche pop culture is often labeled terminally online. However, there is no denying that after a long, tiring day, memes are a great way to get your mood back where it needs to be.
The “How Mental” Instagram page is dedicated to funny and sometimes all too relatable mental health memes. So get comfortable, ideally on a couch, as you scroll through, upvote your favorites, save some to show your therapist and be sure to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments down below.
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This is even worse at my house as I have a tankless water heater that never runs out. I actually have to make a decision!
Agreed. I'm going out for a curry and then to a panto around noon, and put off the shower until about an hour ago. And then didn't want to get out.
I realised my problem is actually getting out into the colder bathroom while wet and therefore shivering until I finally have dried myself enough so my clothes don't stick too much to my fully moisturised skin.
I had the same issue. I got a little heater that I face toward the shower so when I get out it's toasty warm. ☺️
Load More Replies...The dilemma of adulting that no one bothered to explain to us. (OP, just finished watching Stone Cold Fox, a mediocre action thriller, bc I wasn't in the mood to do dishes and laundry.)
I need to break down boxes from Xmas deliveries and take them out to the recycling bin, but instead my kitchen has become a maze. Oh, and I also need to do the dishes. I've been watching Foundation! It's a few years old but I've only just, um, found it.
Load More Replies...Me. Lying in bed reading this, feeling guilty about not doing all that other stuff that I'm too tired to do in the week when I get back home from work.
Don't feel attacked. This is a safe place to acknowledge the inner sloth we all have. You're among friends, Min
Load More Replies...I managed to get 2 things done (a load of laundry and cleaning one of the toilets) so the rest of the weekend is guilt free relaxation time for me
The relaxing takes precedence. The tasks will still be there when you feel like it.
Well, it's obvious to me that the other person is to blame. Sounds like some seriously bad juju.
Ooo, I have a story about that- my last job I found pretty easy, so I didn't know how the other person doing my job on the other line managed to make so many mistakes. Then one day I worked under the manager she normally works under. I could not do a thing right when she was there and all of a sudden felt so sorry for the other woman and felt so bad for saying anything against her.
Load More Replies...Work Survival Rule #3: The less work you do, the fewer mistakes you make.
On the other hand, if that person mentions it, nobody will believe them
I had an employee that was good at his job. Every once in a while a machine would pooch up. He'd work on it and work on it until he finally called me for help. Every single time I asked him to show the problem it would be work perfectly. It became a running gag.
In a world that often feels like it is moving at a hundred miles an hour, the humble internet meme has emerged as an unexpected hero for our collective psyche. While your boss or teacher might see you scrolling through a feed of cats with misspelled captions or overly specific relatable scenarios as a simple distraction, there is actually a growing body of evidence suggesting that these digital snippets provide genuine psychological relief.
At its core, a meme is a cultural shorthand, a way of distilling complex emotions or situations into a single, punchy image. This process of simplification is incredibly soothing for a brain overwhelmed by information. When we see a meme that perfectly encapsulates our current stress, it provides a "moment of recognition" that functions as a tiny, digital hug. Research suggests that the humorous relief found in memes can trigger the release of endorphins, our body's natural feel-good chemicals, which instantly lowers cortisol levels and eases physical tension.
As someone who spent most of their time on the fringes of society, other people's opinion never much mattered. I have my opinions, and I can be very judgmental, so what goes around comes around.
Hmmm, no. You can't be a rude a*****e and then expect people to inform you "hello, you upset me btw :-)" It is your responsibility to read the room to some extent.
It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you
Load More Replies...Gotta learn how to perform an Irish Goodbye. Has served me well for decades.
If it's too loud to say goodbye properly, I wave or bow theatrically. If they don't notice that either, I'm not important enough for them to be offended that I disappeared without saying goodbye.
Well, you keep telling us how you're housebound, so where are you going to go anyway?
Load More Replies...I'd just sidle out of the chair and very quietly walk of the door and then get my coat and leave.
One of the most powerful benefits of meme culture is its ability to foster a sense of belonging. The "it me" phenomenon, where a user sees a meme and feels an immediate personal connection to the content, is more than just a funny observation. It serves as a reminder that our private struggles, whether they involve social anxiety, procrastination, or the simple frustration of a tangled pair of headphones, are actually shared by millions of others.
...or eat the dandelion, cackle like a witch and run away. Still not sure about the correct procedure.
Load More Replies..."Oh look, a (compliment)! Must be the last one of the season." :D
When someone gives me a compliment, I just say "I know". It worked for Hans Solo.
Don't forget to nod and thank them for their patience. They don't need to know the truth.
If you put your ear up to my ear, you can hear the sinking of the Titanic.
Load More Replies...My husband trying to explain something to me but he knows my stupid im still not getting it look so he goes again another 3 times
If you're a teacher and a student doesn't understand an explanation, never repeat that explanation. Use completely different ones - as many as needed. (This also enhances and deepens the understanding of the students who got it the first time.)
A riding instructor I was having a trial lesson with kept saying the same thing. I ignored him and got the desired result. I went with a different trainer.
Load More Replies...This "collective relatability" helps to dissolve the feelings of isolation that often accompany modern life. By using memes as a social tool, we are able to communicate our internal state to friends and family with very low stakes. Sending a meme to a friend is a way of saying "I’m thinking of you" or "I’m going through this too" without the pressure of an intense, long-form conversation. This low-effort social maintenance is vital for keeping connections alive during busy or stressful periods of life.
Bloody Mary for my soul. (I don't like chicken soup.) :)
Load More Replies..."You can't take your martini in there". "But it's my emotional support beverage".
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." W***y Wonka
Get real, BP. You could certainly leave wílly alone, especially when it's a name with a capital w.
Load More Replies...What's the point of being grown-up if you can't be childish sometimes. Doctor Who.
Load More Replies...There are Pros and Cons to retirement, but one of the biggest Pros is not having to set an alarm bc there's no urgent reason to get out of bed.
All through my working years, I dreamed of the time when I could sleep as late and as often as I want. Now I'm living the dream with two house panthers who insist on being served breakfast at 4:30am. (SIGH)
But you can go back to sleep, that's the big difference!
Load More Replies...Sometimes doing your best means curling up with a good book or your favorite movie. We all need downtime.
"When you're alone, and life is making you lonely, you can always do downtime" .
Load More Replies...Interestingly, memes played a particularly significant role during global periods of high stress, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. During times of uncertainty, people often turn to humor as a primary coping mechanism. A study published by the American Psychological Association found that viewing memes helped people cope with the stress of the pandemic by making them feel more confident in their ability to handle the situation.
Don't you wish you could refund all those dumb decisions for oh, IDK, a McFlurry or a taco, or anything but the humiliating flashbacks?
Yes! I'd love a taco instead of my brain using cringe memories to keep me from falling asleep every single night.
Load More Replies...Most of us are ambiverts falling somewhere between introversion and extroversion. But I take solace in knowing that most introverts are intellectuals, a belief held by some of the leading philosophers, psychologists, and scientists throughout the ages.
I hate the character tests: would you rather stay in on Saturday night or go out with friends. It depends. I need more input. Is there a new movie streaming I have been dying to see?Am I tired ? How's the weather? Where are we going ? Is John bringing Pam. I don't think know if I can deal with Pam.
Load More Replies...My co workers believe I'm introverted and uncomfortable in social settings. I'm not, but that's much easier to maintain than them thinking I really do not wish to spend any of my free time with them. That rare co worker I would actually pick as a friend knows the truth.
Same, Ali, same. Also that one coworker laughs at my sarcastic jokes, while everyone else just looks uncomfortable
Load More Replies...I am an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. I have done this so successfully that people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m an introvert.
Me talking about a tv show I've been watching for years: And then . . . oh, what's her name - the one with the psychotic mother-in-law says to thingy - you know, the blonde one . . .
"Of course I remember your name! Give me a minute. I think it rhymed with Portugal. I wanna say Hortugal?".
I grew up in a small town with extended family on both sides. Thought I was good with names. Then I moved to a city and found out I was actually c**p with names.
The study noted that even memes about the stressor itself helped viewers process their emotions more effectively. By laughing at the very thing that scares us, we strip that thing of some of its power. This psychological distancing allows us to approach our problems with a bit more objectivity and a lot more levity, preventing us from becoming completely paralyzed by the "big picture" anxieties of the world.
Right so in that theory , those of us with it , are the cleverest in the world then 😋
Load More Replies...I love living alone. It's the bestest thing I do for myself. No one complaining, no need for compromising, and no arguments. Ah, the peace is unimaginable.
My spouse and I used to live in a very tiny 1 bedroom apartment and when we finally moved to a bigger 2 bedroom it was heavenly. We have our own separate spaces and it's wonderful
Load More Replies...Me with my best friend's husband. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy like family, but the other day while bestie and I were trying to talk he put on something called weirdcore and started trying to amp up the dogs and frankly despite having selected him for my friend I was about to turn her into a widow. To be fair, she was considering the same.
Always max volume, because the sound quality on shows since 1990 is terrible and all the characters whisper or talk with their mouths full of food. And then the action scene happens and your ears start bleeding.
Try closed captioning. I find it invaluable for British shows where I'm having trouble with the accents.
Load More Replies...I can do this at work - to some extent, I have work I can do when I know I need to work completely solo. My line manager not only fully supports this, but joins in and we cover for each other. My qualifications and experience would let me find a better paid job, but this flexibility is well worth the lower wage
I called in 'tired' once. Person answering the phone had an issue with it "Just write it down"..boss was cool as we'd gone 3 or 4 weeks straight.
Load More Replies...Or, you can do what we did back in the old days. Show up to work and just do a half-@ss job.
There is also a fascinating clinical angle to this digital trend. For individuals dealing with depression or generalized anxiety, memes that specifically reference mental health struggles can actually serve as a form of validation. When a person sees a meme that pokes gentle fun at the difficulty of getting out of bed or the spiraling thoughts of an anxious mind, it can reduce the stigma they feel about their own condition.
Sounds selfish, but how can you help others or be the person you want to become if you don't stop and take care of yourself.
Why do you have commas floating after all your comments? Serious question.
Load More Replies...Why are we like this? I understand if the scene is overstimulating, but that doesn't explain why it happens when the scene is pleasant. That sudden impulse of, Okay, I've had enough of [fill in the blank], time to go home.
I've discovered that for me, it's talking. Even if I love hanging out with you, if there's too much talking, I'll hit that wall and my brain starts to crash. Then it goes into limp mode.
Load More Replies...Nah, going home means going back to reality and I'm never quite ready for that
Load More Replies...Rather than feeling like a "failure" for having these thoughts, the user sees that their experience is so common it has become a recognizable archetype on the internet. This therapeutic side of humor helps normalize the conversation around mental health, making it feel less like a dark secret and more like a shared human hurdle. It provides a community of support that is accessible at any time, right from the palm of your hand.
Am I the only person that completely freezes when the phone rings? Because, ya know, they might hear me and I'm a crazy person?
For me, that ring heralds the beginning of another round of, "Where the hell is that phone now?!"
Load More Replies...I feel like this at work. A phone call can always be an email.
Here's some advice from a Gen X'er who was raised on this exact advice, and knows it works; suck it up, buttercup. We live in a world with people. You will have to interact with them, so start learning how.
God that is me. I am so guarded most of the time but the second I open up about something, I will spend weeks over analysing what I told them and trying to hammer more nails into my brain to stop anything else from coming out.
Never tell anyone anything. My go to is: "Everything is the same and it's fine."
Load More Replies...I quit trying, the guilt was overwhelming. Now I just live with it, (not getting it together).
Seriously?? There's an entire chapter on Getting It Together in the Adulting Handbook for People on the Verge of Adulting. I take it, you didn't get your copy.
"It together" should be the name of the box set of It movies on Blu-ray.
Getting it together is highly overrated, isn’t worth the effort most of the time , so much more relaxing ignoring it totally ,
And after a while you realise that most people are faking it anyway
Load More Replies...Furthermore, memes offer a unique cognitive benefit by encouraging us to look at our lives through a different lens. To "get" a meme, you often have to understand multiple layers of irony or cultural references, which engages the brain's creative and analytical centers. This brief mental workout can act as a "cognitive reset" when you are stuck on a difficult task.
You call that adhd? You made it into the kitchen, which is more than I can say after getting distracted in the hallway.
I don't have ADHD. I will make it all the way from the lounge, through the hallway, to the kitchen without distraction... only to completely forget why I wanted to go to the kitchen in the first place. Welcome to middle age.
Load More Replies...I did just that this evening. Forgot to eat my dinner, because I got distracted reading about Greenland.
Had an exam I needed to study for, I got out my books and everything. By the time the day was done, I’d ended up reading all about Jewish history and customs. There are very few Jewish people in my country, I’ve never met one of them. How did I get to that point
Then you don’t understand ADHD. It’s not about forgetting, but about being distracted. There’s a reason some of us call it ADHS: Attention Deficit Hyper—Squirrel!
Load More Replies...I'd love to know what they were talking about. Tbh, I'm surprised no one has said this to me yet
Bold of them to presume the OP was actually listening to the meeting.
To be fair, my 'what a load of BS' face is pretty much my day to day face.
Apparently my poker face tells people that I'm thinking how much I would like to whack them with a poker
Load More Replies...It provides a high-density burst of entertainment that satisfies our brain's craving for novelty without the time commitment of a full television show or movie. These "micro-breaks" can actually improve overall productivity by preventing burnout and keeping our mood elevated throughout the day. It turns the act of scrolling into a series of tiny wins for our emotional regulation systems.
Oh, wow! Hey, thanks, cause that bit of sage wisdom never, ever occurred to me.
'Try not to think about it' is terrible advice. Take a couple of shots of tequila instead.
Load More Replies...I wish I didn't know this but to your scalp, it feels gently warm until you begin to wonder what that crackling sound is. Then you do this silly little dance where you hit yourself in the head a lot.
"How ya doin'?"...."Adequate"...(odd look).."better than INadequate, right?"
Load More Replies...Of course, like all good things, the benefits of memes are best enjoyed in moderation. The goal is to use them as a "digital deep breath" rather than a permanent escape from reality. When used mindfully, they are a testament to human resilience and our incredible ability to find light in the dark. They remind us that no matter how strange or difficult life gets, there is probably a cat picture out there that perfectly explains how we feel, and millions of people who are ready to hit "like" because they feel it too. So, the next time you find yourself giggling at a screen, know that you aren't just wasting time, you are checking in with your community, lowering your stress, and giving your mental health a little boost.
Remember, no matter what comes for you, a stiff upper lip is all you need. Abandon your silly emotions and just plow through life. Sensitivity will never get you to the top floor, only the single-minded focus on whose back you can step on to get there. Leave your humanity behind.
And then you're annoyed when all those horrible things you imagined don't come true and everything turns out fine... Such a let-down...
Disorienting when you summon the adrenaline for a confrontation, only to find that the conflict gets resolved without it. Then you're stuck with figuring out what to do with that unspent energy.
Load More Replies...There are very few of us who can fully relax on a weekend because there are house chores, yard work, entertaining kids, shopping,...
Thankfully i do house chores little by little during the week, i dont have a yard, no kids, and i order groceries
Load More Replies...This is actually the message of the Dutch guy getting viral. I live in the Netherlands and we do overtime if it is necessary. Big part of our economy is international trade after all. But if it isn't necessary and all the work is done, we switch to private mode at the time in our contract. Selling 8 hours of our time, plus lunch break plus commute = 10 or more hours is agreed. You want more? You pay.
I have done something. Nothing good and never on purpose, but something.
Wasted my bloody weekend, at this point I’ll just accept this shout out. Got nothing going on
For me it's because I don't mind children, but forget that you also have to interact with their parents
On the very cusp of retirement from a university, I stumbled into a brief conversation where a lot of retiring administrators were finally admitting to themselves that they really didn't like people. At some point, you've heard all the lies, suffered through endless disappointments, and watched people fail to help themselves millions of times. It was a deep admission for many of us, and we were buoyed to find out it wasn't that uncommon.
Suddenly I realize I treat my mental health just like my finances - once you tip over to red, you just ignore the warning signs because it doesn't make a difference if you're $100 or $1000 in debt if you can't pay it back anyway.
Please change those to $1,000 and $10,000 because it's too depressing otherwise.
Load More Replies...I am currently testing a theory. Trying to make up for all the sleep deprivation over my 40 working years by taking naps now in retirement.
Teenage me after realizing I laughed and socialized (I was supposed to act mysterious and not talk to anyone)
You mean blow on it like an original NES cartridge! {I am old and know the origin of blowing on game cartridges 😆}
I wasn’t invited to my High School Reunion. I later found out it was because the organiser knew I would decline & didn’t see the point of inviting me. I was incredibly hurt… I was very shy & insecure in HS & felt rejected all over again.
Honestly, why? True friends already know not to invite you bc you'd be more content staying at home doing what you want to do.
Being invited means being remembered and wanted. It means they haven’t rejected you as a friend.
Load More Replies...When you know you're talking BS, it's easier not to be hurt when people disagree
Or internally in the moment. It's called having a "game face", akin to "never let them see you sweat".
Load More Replies...I imagine it's because they have a script, that is mostly stuck to. I used to do alright in debating, but when it comes to an actual argument I'd rather say nothing.
Don't you just hate that? You decide to join in and share some quirky story from your past only to notice everyone's horrified expressions. After such a major social faux pas, you need to go out and find new friends.
Then I would say "It's not like it sounds," and nobody would believe me. I finally realized it was exactly like it sounds and stopped making excuses for the abusers. Let them make their own excuses if they want to try....
Same thing, the only difference is your point of view. All humor comes from pain. To quote MASH: "Anger turned inward is depression; anger turned sideways is Hawkeye". You can laugh about your trauma, or cry about it. Both are valid approaches, but only one will make you laugh.
Wise words, indeed. It takes a little more effort to go Hawkeye, but it is well worth doing.
Load More Replies...Lolol- but not. I have been struggling in physical agony for years. When the pain reached 20 out of 10, a medico suggested crutches or a wheelchair until my surgery. As I’ve been using crutches for a decade, wheelchair it was. Now I have shoulder pain, to boot. Meds don’t help the pain much.
Funny how "dog holding his ball in his mouth" conjures up this picture and not the other one.
Besides watching tv shows and movies?? Well, I do read a lot. Oh, and I avoid doing household tasks, which is a hobby in and of itself.
Remove the colon, and you've described me. I am my favorite hobby, despite not being very good at it.
When it comes to giving advice, I'm brilliant. It's taking it that trips me up.
I overhear things and give them advice in my head cause I don't know them...
Problem is, after years of trauma it's nearly impossible not to look a gift horse in the mouth bc trust has vanished.
I’m on year 60 of dealing with “character-building adversities.”
I always feel more like crawling under my desk and assuming the fetal position.
How much you wanna bet? I didn't invest in erasers because I thought it would make me rich.
When I was younger, my motto was "I'll sleep when I'm dead". Now that I'm older and catching glimpses of the Grim Reaper, I sleep for 10hrs a night, which is like practicing for death.
I could party for days and nights on end when young, but now I'm convinced I was stealing sleep from my future and that's why I'm tired all the time today.
Load More Replies...I've worked every shift that ever existed. My circadian rhythms are Stravinskyesque. Musicians will get it
Having a sense of humor when the your world becomes a dumpster fire gives you the necessary space to see clear skies. Granted, it may be brief, but notice you were able to breathe.
Or just don't mention it at all and only talk about good things. That's how I roll.
I swear, I'm going to sue the next person who puts my family photos online.
Nah, your future depends on how you react when that invisible hand yanks the rug out from under you.
Even in retirement, I still take "breaks" at the time as I did when I was working. And yes, it's all about the snacks. At least they're healthier than they used to be.
Optimism and pessimism are wastes of time. You have to find that sweet spot in the middle. Practical realism. Life doesn't give a cr@p about your optimism or pessimism.
My days of rising and grinding are past me. Now, I pull the blanket over my head and lovingly sink into a deep sleep.
I thought I'd accidentally switched to one of those plastic surgery posts, but it's not a person it's a doll
Hey, we're supposed to get 2nd and 3rd opinions for our health and come to a decision. Getting advice from others is like reading movie reviews, but the ultimate decision is ours.
What? Who do you think I am, some money-dripping celebrity who can afford a face change?
I have a confession to make, whenever I come up with a fake argument, it gets so heated that I start to cry 😭😭😭😭
When I get angry, I tend to shake. When I get really angry, I'm as cool as a cucumber. That's all the warning you'll get.
I feel sorry for some of my neighbors. This is the last stop for most of us, so I can empathize when they cry. Sometimes, just putting a hand on their arm expresses the fact that I understand.
What do I do when life is going normally yet I still feel so miserable all the time. I feel like yeeting myself off the roof at least once or twice a week but I know I’m not going to. Therapy is too expensive and I tend to get better just before I start considering it seriously
have you tried co-cane? great short term fix.
Load More Replies...Not true! I found my scammer who got me for $20k but I'm still sol.
Load More Replies...What do I do when life is going normally yet I still feel so miserable all the time. I feel like yeeting myself off the roof at least once or twice a week but I know I’m not going to. Therapy is too expensive and I tend to get better just before I start considering it seriously
have you tried co-cane? great short term fix.
Load More Replies...Not true! I found my scammer who got me for $20k but I'm still sol.
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