This Is How You Can Take Better Care of Your Mental Health, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

There’s no one right way to tend to your mental and emotional health. Some folks might want to carve out alone time for reflective activities like journaling, while others prefer an at-home movie night with friends, and still others would rather do something physical, like go for a walk or run—and all of these preferences are valid. But with advice for self care proliferating on social media and beyond, it can be difficult to know where to start. One option? Checking your birth chart, which could offer insight into mental-health tips optimal for your zodiac sign.

“Astrology can be a wonderful tool to use in mental health [especially as a means] to build a self-care routine that suits your zodiac energy,” says astrologer Lauren Ash. Along with your sun sign (aka the zodiac sign for which you’d read a horoscope), which reflects your core personality and nature, there are several facets of your birth chart that can shed light on ways to care for yourself.

“Astrology can be a wonderful tool to use in mental health [especially as a means] to build a self-care routine that suits your zodiac energy.” —Lauren Ash, astrologer

According to astrologer and tarot reader Nivedita Kapoor, one of the most salient elements to consider is your moon sign, or the sign that the moon was in when you were born. (Don’t know yours? Enter your birth date, time, and location into a chart generator like this one.) “Our moon sign tells us about our emotional landscape and our sense of safety, which reveals how we can nurture ourselves,” says Kapoor. And according to Ash, this internal side of who we are reflects “a crucial piece of working through whatever is plaguing [us] emotionally.”

Looking to dive deeper? Considering the zodiac signs of the sixth and 12th astrological houses in your birth chart (which reflect different areas of life) could lend further insight into the best mental-health tips for your personality. The sixth house governs habits, physical health, and schedules—all of which play into your willingness to adopt certain self-care strategies over others. And the 12th house encompasses the unconscious mind, all things repressed, and the figurative prisons we create for ourselves, revealing the deep shadows we might need to confront to feel truly whole.

With all of that said, it’s important to note that astrology can’t provide all the answers when it comes to how to nurture and support our mental health. Particularly in the case of mental illness, it’s always best to consult a mental-health practitioner—as astrology is not a replacement for a professional diagnosis or therapy, says Kapoor. Rather, we can use the various pieces of our birth chart “to better understand ourselves and our motivations as we forge ahead in our self-care journey,” says Ash.

To that end, read on for your sun and moon signs to get a fuller picture of your emotional landscape and gather star-sanctioned tips for taking care of yourself and improving your mental health.

Mental-health tips for every zodiac sign, according to astrologers

Aries

You may feel the need to do something rightnow, especially if you’re in a tough place mentally, Aries. After all, you’re a cardinal sign—meaning you’re all for instigating and initiating, so long as it’s on your own terms. If you have an Aries moon, that could make you prone to emotional outbursts, which could be challenging for maintaining your mental and emotional health.

Mental-health tip: Kapoor suggests finding ways to release excess energy, perhaps “by doing a physical activity, such as running or dancing.” Opting for calmer activities that still engage your body, such as Pilates or Tai-Chi, can also help keep you grounded.

Taurus

You have a reputation for being stubborn, Taurus—but your steadfastness can certainly have an upside when wielded carefully. If you’re committed to a practice, be it for your mental health or otherwise, you’re likely to see it through, so long as you have a clear understanding of why you’re doing it.

That said, your preference for feeling deeply confident of any decision you make could also require you to sit and process emotions for a lengthy time before responding, particularly if you’re a Taurus moon. Though that’s generally a positive thing, getting caught in your feelings can also be draining.

Mental-health tip: One of the best things you can do is create a reliable sleep routine, which will fuel your desire for consistency and ensure you have your emotional wits about you. To cater to your Taurean love for sensory luxuries, make sure to also “spend time in nature and indulge in simple pleasures like good food and a warm blanket,” says Kapoor.

Gemini

You are characterized by your restlessness more than most, Gemini. You’re constantly acquiring information, processing it, and committing it to memory. In turn, you take in experiences and long to do everything at once—putting you at risk for both FOMO and burnout if you aren’t mindful.

If you’re a Gemini moon, it likely doesn’t help that you may also get lost in your thoughts and emotions or feel the need to talk about them repeatedly, often winding yourself into a ruminative spiral.

Mental-health tip: To avoid hyper-fixating on your thoughts, practice some healthy escapism. “Any form of media you consume can be a great way to take a break from your thoughts, whether that’s movies, TV shows, music, or podcasts,” says Kapoor.

Cancer

You’re known to be in tune with your emotions, Cancer—often to the point of deep sensitivity. Indeed, you may lean on your emotions as the dominant force in your decision-making and wear your heart on your sleeve when it comes to interactions with others (especially if you’re a Cancer moon). While transparency is admirable, it can also be depleting if you aren’t regularly refilling your cup.

Mental-health tip: Take time to sit with your emotions, and be gentle with yourself, suggests Kapoor. Simply resting—without any guilt or shame attached to it—can be a huge asset to your mental health. And when it comes to your relationships, be extra sure that you’re giving your energy to those who truly value it, adds Kapoor, so you don’t run the risk of overexerting to little effect.

Leo

You may be best known for your confidence, Leo, but that doesn’t mean you don’t struggle sometimes, too. You pride yourself on achieving goals and being acknowledged by others for doing so—but all of this can place plenty of unwarranted pressure on your everyday life. (As can seeking affirmation or appreciation from others, which is common among Leo moons, in particular.)

Mental-health tip: To you, life is a stage—and acting that way can give you a serious boost. Do not underestimate the power of expressing yourself shamelessly as a means to feel lighter, says Kapoor. “Singing, dancing, painting, or even re-enacting a favorite scene from a movie can help you unwind.”

Virgo

Ever the perfectionist, you tend to approach everyday tasks from a determined, detail-oriented lens, Virgo. But when the number of tasks on your list is high, this approach can quickly take a toll on your mental health. You may also struggle to be kind to yourself, if you’re a Virgo moon, and fail to give yourself grace if you don’t follow through on every single thing to which you’ve committed.

Mental-health tip: If you find yourself strapped with mundane tasks, as Virgos tend to be, find ways to make them more enjoyable, suggests Kapoor. Listening to a podcast while doing the dishes or playing upbeat music while sweeping the floor can make a huge difference in how you feel, she says.

While you love a good set of instructions or clear process to follow, it’s also important for you to remember that self care is not one-size-fits-all, so “don’t get stuck in the trap of following others’ advice about what worked for them,” says Ash. Give yourself the freedom to find what works for you.

Libra

You have a strong desire for balance and harmony in your life, Libra—which can cause issues when things fall outside of your expectations or control. That applies to the behaviors of other people in your life, too; you tend to focus more on the well-being and emotional stability of others than of yourself, even though, at the end of the day, you can’t control how others feel. Unlearning these tendencies may be a lifelong journey if you’re a Libra moon.

Mental-health tip: Beauty planet Venus is your planetary ruler, which could mean you gravitate toward forms of pampering for the ultimate relaxation; booking a massage or getting a manicure could work wonders for your mental health. According to Ash, you may also be drawn to slow-moving and spiritual practices as a means of self care, like meditation and yoga.

Scorpio

You’re known for your all-encompassing intensity, Scorpio. But deep-down, your sensitivity as a water sign makes protecting yourself emotionally a top priority. If you have a Scorpio moon, in particular, you may keep your guard up as a means of protection, refusing to show much vulnerability without establishing strong trust beforehand. Taken too far, this tendency might involve repressing your emotions—which could cause inner turmoil.

Mental-health tip: Kapoor suggests allowing the emotions you may be tempted to hold inside to come to the surface. “Find an expressive outlet like crying to truly feel your feelings,” she says. You can also look to communicating with a trusted therapist or confidant to help process your emotions in a safe setting.

Sagittarius

You skew toward total optimism… and sometimes to your detriment, Sagittarius. When negative emotions surface, you tend to quickly sidestep them so as not to feel weighed down—but repressing negative feelings doesn’t make them vanish. If you’re a Sagittarius moon, you may especially pretend as if nothing ever bothers you, refusing to fully acknowledge and process unpleasant situations (even if doing so would contribute to your growth).

Mental-health tip: One of the best ways for you to practice self care is to spend reflective time in nature—not to escape from pent-up emotions but to work through them in an environment that feels familiar and comfortable to you. “It is important for you to venture out into the world to feel free and joyful,” says Kapoor.

Capricorn

You crave stability and order, Capricorn, and as a result, you typically have an unwavering work ethic extending well beyond the tasks of your job. Indeed, the desire to endlessly achieve goals and succeed can take a toll on your mind and body. If you’re a Capricorn moon, you may also struggle with taking a beat to feel and process your emotions.

Mental-health tip: Given your desire to do everything to the best of your ability, managing your time is an essential part of caring for yourself. That means creating a realistic schedule for what you can feasibly accomplish as well as a functional routine for getting it all done. “Create structure in your day in order to feel stable and secure,” says Kapoor.

Aquarius

You tend to be a nebulous presence to others, Aquarius, and truthfully, you might have a hard time ascertaining what’s going on in your own mind, too. Chances are, you prefer analyzing your emotions over actually feeling them, especially if your moon is in Aquarius.

Mental-health tip: It’s important to make sure you don’t get stuck in your own head, trying to process all the elements of your day. Sure, you can grant yourself some much-needed time alone to parse your thoughts, but steer clear of self-isolation, says Kapoor. “Try to connect with loved ones regularly in one way or another.”

Pisces

You tend to be highly creative and intuitive, Pisces, and to see the best in people and circumstances. Generally, this is a good thing, but your affinity for idealism can also work against you if you stray too far from reality. If you’re a Pisces moon, in particular, you might have trouble taking off the rose-colored glasses when it comes to difficult circumstances, making for abrasive reality checks.

Mental-health tip: You don’t have to abandon your imaginative side to better care for yourself; allowing your mind to wander can help you find creative solutions for difficult moments. Just make sure to ground yourself with a walk in nature when you start to feel disconnected, says Kapoor. Reconnecting with your tangible senses can provide the balance you need.