Health isn’t just what you put in your body or on your skin; your overall wellness is how you treat yourself! “Self Care” has become quite a buzzphrase in the past few years, but did you know that some self-care is scientifically proven to help you take better care of yourself? Here are 8 things you can do to help yourself that are all scientifically backed:
- Work out, but do it outside! We all might know that working out helps us feel better and more confident, but according to recent studies, doing today’s workout outside can help boost your self-esteem more than just hitting the gym! So make a point to head outside at least once per week to log some workout time outside.
- Eat more veggies and fruits! This isn’t just for your waistline; adding 7 servings of veggies and fruits to your daily diet is scientifically proven to make you happier!
- Walk away from your screens! In today’s digital world, we always seem to have a phone, laptop, or TV screen in front of us. However, if you are feeling zapped, take time to put down your phone, unplug the TV, and walk away from the laptop. Adding some “unplugged” time to your weekly routine can enable your brain to have some downtime and get back to working at its optimized level.
- Read a book! Instead of adding one more episode to your evening Netflix binge, take some time before bed to read. Reading before bed has been connected to better sleep and higher levels of empathy.
- Laugh! Laughter truly is the best medicine. It has been linked to boosting your immune system and protecting against heart attacks, so find some time today to do something that makes you laugh, whether it’s watching funny YouTube videos or telling funny stories with your friends.
- Just dance! Dancing burns calories and helps you feel better about yourself and your day. But it also can decrease your risk of dementia! You don’t have to be a good dancer to experience these benefits, so get up and dance!
- Meditate! Taking some time each day to quiet your mind can help you reduce stress in your life and improve your compassion and emotional stability. Meditation has also been linked to a decrease in illness in recent studies, so sitting in silence and looking inward can help you stay healthier!
- Pay it forward! Whether it’s volunteering once a week at a local non-profit or just paying for the next person in the coffee shop line, paying it forward and being kind to others helps to boost your mood and outlook. It has also been linked to a longer life expectancy. Plus, it’s always nice to share a little kindness with others and make their day brighter!
Self-care isn’t just about how you feel; taking care of yourself can have a real impact on your overall health and wellness. We hope you will take some time this week to try out one of these 8 scientifically proven ways to take care of yourself!