Get a custom client, either Enders of Latikai's, very helpful when it comes to detecting players and animals from afar with radar, more camera options and pretty much just makes things better.
Always close your gates after you whenever you log out or go out exploring.
Stay in the light. Darkness drains your bile overtime at a faster rate the deeper you are, and houses some nasty creatures capable of murder. Don't go there unless capable.
Whittle, fish, cook, catching butterflies, pot plants, or forage flowers to keep your insanity at bay. Luxury options such as hookah, teddybear and tobacco will be available to you further in the gameplay as you progress. Teddybears decrease madness levels, beds decrease insanity amount within that madness level.
The better bed you got, the better inspiration restore rate.
Buy the materials of the teddybear if unable to craft and not the teddybear itself. Witches can curse teddybears.
Don't lock cupboards or chests. Raiders will be curious of what's inside and bash and destroy everything. Better to have the damage as low as possible.
Have cures always prepared if there is a unfortunate occurence of you being diseased.
