Your Action Plan

Self care is a very individual thing, there’s no set prescription for how or when to do it. We have rounded up some sweet strategies that’ll help slash stress, boost happiness, and improve total health. Practice any of these self-care behaviors daily, weekly, or even hourly whatever feels best to you.

Get outside

Ditching the comfort of your home is a great way to improve mental and physical health. Similar to meditation, spending time outdoors benefits the brain. Other research suggests that being outside in nature also makes us feel more alive. Even living in an area with more green space is associated with greater life satisfaction and less mental distress.

Try an outdoor workout

Consider taking your sweat session into nature, too. Research shows that working out in the Great Outdoors boosts mental health, and may decrease tension, anger, and depression.

Pay it forward

By helping others, we actually help ourselves. Lending a hand not only boosts mental health, but may also help us live a longer life.

Breathe the right scents

We know that breathing techniques can help us relax. But what we breathe might be just as important as how we breathe. While the benefits of aromatherapy are debated, research suggests that citrus scents, orange essential oil in particular, can help slash stress and anxiety. Getting a whiff of rosemary may boost memory.

Stress less

By now, we all know that stress is really bad for our health. Research suggests that stress may be contagious, and the more stressed we think we are, the worse it might be for our heart. But between work, relationships, family, and whatever else life throws at us, it’s difficult not to succumb to it. Use these strategies, which range from drinking tea to practicing progressive relaxation, to keep the stress monster at bay.

Be mindful

Focusing on the present without judging how we feel and what we think can be both a liberating and healthy practice. Studies show that getting in-tune with ourselves through mindfulness slashes stress and depression, helps us see ourselves in a truer light, and may even help keep our minds from wandering.

Always wear a smile

We all know that happiness feels good, but it’s also great for our health. But being happy is easier said than done, right? Turns out there are actually a simple way to feel more upbeat: Just crack a smile!

Meditate

Meditation is proof that it doesn’t take a ton of time to do a mind and body good. Just a few minutes of quieting your mind can help relieve stress.

Dance around

Shaking your booty doesn’t just make for a fit physique. It may also improve both mood and body image, lead to a better outlook, is associated with a lower risk for dementia, and even help you make friends.

Turn up the tunes

If you’ve ever noticed that certain songs bring a smile to your face, you’re not alone. As it turns out, science has taken a note, too. Research shows that listening to music makes already positive emotions even more intense, and upbeat music in particular can do great things for your mood.

Eat more fruits and veggies

Adding more fruits and veggies to our plate is a great way to practice self-care throughout the day. Research shows that eating berries boost brain health. And in case we needed another reason to load up on nature’s goodness, filling up on seven portions of fruits and veggies per day might make us happier.

Get it on

There are tons of awesome things about sex, even apart from the way it makes us feel. Getting busy can boost the immune system, help reduce stress, and may even relieve migraine pain and that’s just to name a few of its health benefits.

Laugh out loud

There’s a reason people say laughter is “the best medicine”: Chuckling and giggling benefit our mental and physical health, especially when combined with exercise. Giving into a case of the funnies can improve our overall quality of life, while getting goofy with other people can help us connect with the people we laugh with and foster our relationships.

Indulge in a massage

Set aside some time to experience the complete and total bliss of a massage. It soothes both the mind and muscles, improves sleep quality and reduces stress.

Get your Om on

It comes as no surprise that yoga is a healthy practice. It helps relieve anxiety, stress, and depression, all while boosting energy levels and improving our overall sense of well-being. Don’t think you have to commit to a full-length yoga class to reap its health benefits. Just 20 minutes on the mat improves focus and boosts the brain.