How TikTok actually improved my mental health

TikTok has long been full of efficiency-driven wellness influencers offering tips on how to become more grounded, more calm, and more mindful. But over the last two years, a new era of TikTok influencing has risen. One that is less perfectionist — and more practical. Back in 2024, the last time we investigated the state of mindfulness TikTok tips, what we found was a mix of traditional meditation routines, ASMR sound bath videos, and jargon-filled advice on "optimization." If I had followed the advice of the most watched mindfulness videos back then, my day might have looked something like this: Wake up early. Do guided meditation and/ or yoga. Breakfast. No external stimulation. Soak up the day. Time for a mid-day walk. Remember: No external sounds! Stay present. Work some more. Check in with your body and do some breathwork at your desk. Dinner and after work activities. Allotted time for fun starts now. Journal about the day. Junk journaling is allowed, so long as you make it visually pleasing. Before bed: No screens, sleep sounds on. Nighty night. This may at least be more achievable than most "biohacking" self-optimization routines that go viral online. But it's still a daunti