Have you been putting yourself last lately? Here are super-easy things you can do to beat stress, reduce anxiety and boost your mood.
If you’re trying to live your healthiest life, eating clean, working out and making sure you take preventative measures against the illnesses women commonly face are all likely on your radar. But do you remember to do the small things, too? Those tiny, seemingly unimportant actions, like taking a real lunch break, grabbing coffee with a friend or planning a do-nothing day, can actually have a huge impact on your mental, and even physical, health. Keeping that in mind, self-care isn’t selfish or shallow; it’s a really important part of a healthy lifestyle. (This is especially true for women, who often put everyone else’s needs before their own!) With that in mind, here are inexpensive and easy things you can do to put yourself first.
- Make your bath or shower that much better
Turn your nightly shower into an aromatherapy session by using an easy-to-make bath or shower bomb (try lavender, jasmine or ylang ylang for relaxation and peppermint, citrus or rosemary for an energy boost). - Treat yourself
It is important to do something for yourself, for no other reason than you want to, even if it’s just once in a while. So consider this permission to have that Kanamadhu cake! - Stay hydrated
Don’t forget your H2O! If you need some help in the hydration department, try adding citrus fruits, mint or cucumbers for a flavor boost. Also worth a try: finding a fun eco-friendly water bottle that you love. - Be creative
There’s a reason adult coloring bookshave become so trendy—art therapy has proven health benefits. - Plan a spa day
Splurge on a professional massage, or, get the same effect at home by giving yourself a spa-quality DIY facial. Even taking a few minutes to paint your toenails can have a soothing effect. - Start an indulgent post-shower ritual
Use a luxurious lotion with a scent you love! - Go outside
There are serious wellness benefits to getting out of the house or office. In fact, spending time in nature has been part of the Japanese government’s preventative health strategy since the 80s. And there’s science behind it: study found that spending time in nature leads to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower blood pressure and a lower pulse rate. - Set screen time limits—for yourself
We love our smartphones, tablets and laptops, too… but binge-watching the hottest new show or scrolling through emails before bed can impact your sleep, and researchers are starting to look at the ways social media can impact your mental health. Turns out, there a real health benefits to going tech-free for at least part of the day.
- Spend time reading
Whether it’s a novel or collection of poetry, practice some affordable escapism with a good book. - Pet a cat
Researchers believe cuddling with a pet has real mental health benefits. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression, and petting an animal prompts your body to release this hormone. And owning a pet has other health benefits, too, including decreasing your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, warding off loneliness and encouraging you to exercise and socialize more. - Or, cuddle up with a loved one
In fact, hugging another person—or even a pillow!—releases serotonin, too. - Listen to music
Put on your favorite song or album and let yourself jam out. Music can have mood-boosting effects—though one study did find it only works if you actively try to feel happier. Here’s to dancing like nobody’s watching! - De-clutter your social media accounts
It can feel rude to unfollow people on Facebook or Twitter, but if you’re constantly cringing at friends’ too-candid updates, or you disagree with their political or religious posts, or you don’t actually like them, it may be time to clean up your friends list. And it doesn’t have to be a major statement—both Facebook and Twitter allow you to stop seeing someone’s updates without actually severing your connection. - Bake something
There’s something meditative about the act of baking—you have to measure the ingredients precisely and combine them in just the right order, and at the end, you’re rewarded with a positive result: a sweet treat! - Get organized
If you’re feeling stressed out but you’re not sure why, the culprit might be surprisingly close to home. Actually, it might be your home. Clutter isn’t often discussed as a source of stress, but it can make us feel anxious, overwhelmed and embarrassed. Don’t feel like you have to whip your entire house into shape at once, though. Start by tackling small corners of your space—your cluttered home office or overflowing front closet. You’ll find peace in the order and cleanliness, we promise. - Write it out
Jotting down your thoughts and impressions about stressful, emotional or even traumatic experiences can actually help you overcome those events. - Try breathing exercises
Meditation, and recently popular mindfulness, has lots of health benefits—including reducing anxiety and depression and lowering blood pressure and increased quality of life. But if you find the idea of meditating a little intimidating, there’s good news: simply breathing deeply can have a similarly positive impact, reducing your heart rate and blood pressure, relieving stress and even boosting productivity. - Laugh
“Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a pithy saying. It can instantly put you in a better mood. Find a funny movie, TV show or stand-up comedian and have the first, and last laugh. - Get enough sleep
Don’t cheat yourself out of one of the most important things you can do for your health! Skimping on sleep can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. So make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye—and don’t feel bad about taking a quick cat nap if you’re not.
