City Cast Boise logo

The Best Ways to Take Care of Yourself and Stop Doom Scrolling

Posted on November 11, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Blake Hunter

Blake Hunter

Never underestimate what convening with some trees can do for your mental health! (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)

Never underestimate what convening with some trees can do for your mental health! (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)

Believe it or not, daylight saving only ended a week ago, and that coupled with the tension and anxiety of the election might have you doom scrolling on your phone or isolating. If that’s you, take a break to seek out some company and comfort.

🍃 Get Some Green

This is about condoning Greenbelt walks, not (necessarily) a trip to Ontario. It’s chilly this week, but grab some tea, a friend, and head to one of these green spaces around town or the Foothills. Alternatively, head to Edward’s Greenhouse, A Succulent Day, or another plant store for a new green friend to take care of.

🍿 Be Part of a Crowd, If Only For a Movie

Has anyone ever felt less infatuated with this city after a dinner and movie at The Flicks? Deep conversations might sound overwhelming right now, but even sitting in a room while watching a movie or show with other people can ward off loneliness.

City Cast

The Flicks Is a Boise Icon

00:00:00

🍛 Tuck Into a Comforting Meal

Roll out the carpet for your solo date or split a meal with someone you love — it’s the most human thing we can do! Here’s a few great comfort food spots, some soup recommendations, and a few menu items that have brought me joy recently:

  • A noodle bowl and Mabel’s Mah Fry from Art Haus Bar.
  • The lasagna and acorn squash at The Wylder.
  • The spicy, garlicky edamame and sake at Ginza.

City Cast

Insider’s Guide to Boise's Best Soups

00:00:00

✋🏻 Put Yourself to Use!

Funnel your energy into a positive relationship with someone in your community. Maybe it’s just dropping off cookies to a neighbor or calling a friend you haven’t heard from in a while — it’s little gestures that keep the world spinning.

We’ll have more tomorrow about how to get involved in the community, and we’d love to hear how you plan to make a difference amid uncertainty and the transition of seasons.

Opportunities for Community Action

Share article

Hey Boise

Thank you Boise, we’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with you for the past three years. City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations. Our last newsletter and podcast episode was Oct. 24, 2025.

Boise's Best

See All
Boise's BestOctober 21, 2025

Essential Rules for Surviving Boise

In Boise, you need good footwear, a curiosity for breweries, and political resilience. Here are some of the essential rules for surviving...

Cheers to thriving in Boise — or getting closer to it! (Nicolas Micolani / Getty)
Boise's BestOctober 1, 2025

Your Guide to Boise in October 2025

Somehow it’s October, so this month, find a little balance between the busy times, Halloween, and cozy autumn vibes Boise brings.

We’re luckily having a beautiful fall, so make the most of it! (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Boise's BestSeptember 2, 2025

Your Guide to Boise in September 2025

🍺 Old Boise Oktoberfest, Sept. 13: The Old Boise intersection may look different this year thanks to the new Kaixo Corner Park, but the...

Who’s ready for part two? (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Boise's BestAugust 26, 2025

Need Places to Study? Find Your New Regular Coffee Shop

Though the downtown location is sure to run out of their glittery tables during peak hours, this has to be at the top of the list because...

This semester, pick a new coffee shop to try. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Boise's BestAugust 25, 2025

The New-ish Patios We Love the Most

I joined City Cast Boise host Lindsay Van Allen and producer Evelyn Avitia earlier this summer to rank our favorites.

Some of the offerings at Amano's incredible new patio. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Boise's BestAugust 14, 2025

Smash Alley, Totally Smashed, and Wyld Child: The Best Local Smashburgers

The food hall has settled into Boise’s food economy nicely, staying busy and giving up-and-coming restaurateurs another option for where...

Totally Smashed keeps things pretty straightforward, but that’s when a smashburger is at its best. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Boise's BestJuly 31, 2025

Your Guide to Boise in August 2025

City Cast Boise podcast producer Evelyn Avitia has heard the hype about Lovely Hollow Farm in Caldwell, and she’s here to say it’s worth it.

The whimsy returns at the end of the month! (vkbhat / Getty)
Boise's BestJuly 15, 2025

Which Treasure Valley City Is the Best?

Campaigning for the City of Trees is Boise resident and Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter, who says the biggest perk of the city i...

How can you not be romantic about Boise? (Seibel Photography LLC / Getty Images)

The latest in Boise

AnnouncementsOctober 24, 2025

Goodbye from City Cast Boise and Hey Boise

City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations.

illustration of skyline with the capitol building, trees, and hot air balloons with "we heart boise"
Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Jimmy Hallyburton, District 6, Incumbent

Hallyburton faces perhaps the most challenging path to reelection, with former City Council member Lisa Sánchez running to unseat him, an...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Lisa E. Sánchez, District 6, Challenger

Sánchez’s return to city hall would be remarkable, as her exit was marked with contention and a lawsuit. But that’s in the past: Her resu...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Josh Ellstrom, District 2, Challenger

Ellstrom is a home physical therapist and political newcomer with his eye trained on political neutrality. He’s challenging West Bench in...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

How Boise City Council Candidates Set Themselves Apart

Three council seats are up for election on Nov. 4. Early voting starts today, so here's what Boiseans need to know for the city council e...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Colin Nash, District 2, Incumbent

Colin Nash is an incumbent but this is his first time seeking a council seat at the ballot box. In 2023, he was appointed to fill a seat...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Jordan Morales, District 4, Incumbent

Morales is unchallenged in his bid for a second term representing District 4 and East Boise. Luckily, he was still kind enough to fill ou...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Derek James Smith, District 2, Challenger

Another political newcomer, Derek Smith has new ideas for city hall. Autonomous buses? I’m listening. I’m also listening because his Benc...