These ten simple self-care practices can help you center your mental and physical health, making daily stress easier to manage.

1. 1. 1. Mindful Mornings: When you wake up each morning, do so with intention. Instead of rushing right into one thing or another, create a peaceful routine that helps set the tone for the day. This could be a calming meditation, some light journaling, some gentle yoga, or anything that will provide a mellow transition from waking up to daily obligations.
      2. Nourishing Nutrition: While it may feel good in the moment to treat yourself to your favorite junk food, it’s really not doing you any favors in the long-run. That quick boost of dopamine will fade and you’ll be left feeling sluggish and tired. Choose healthy whole foods and hydrate well, and you’ll start to notice you feel more energized with clearer thoughts. It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of sitting down for consistent meal times instead of constantly eating on the go or in front of the television.
      3. Get Moving: If you’re able, incorporate some physical activity into your day-to-day. No need for a gym, you can find free videos online for at-home workouts. Find something that you enjoy so you’ll be more likely to stick to it. Yoga, fun dance workouts, or cardio routines are a great way to get your heart rate up and those endorphins flowing. If that’s not your cup of tea, consider a brisk walk.
      4. Digital Detox: Step away from your technology. Screen addiction is a real problem, with studies proving that too much time on our devices can cause negative effects, including eye strain, focus issues, and depression. If you struggle to unplug, try setting screen time limits through the device’s settings so you have scheduled time away each day.
      5. Catch Some Z’s: Sleep is so important to our well-being, with 7-9 hours of quality sleep recommended for optimal well-being. Following a consistent sleep schedule is helpful when possible, but even with good intentions sometimes our body and brains have other ideas. Easing into bedtime with a calming routine – much like in the mornings can make sleep come easier. Enjoy a warm drink, put away your phone, and settle into bed with a book or some calming music. Once you find what works well for you, stick with it.
      6. Connect with Nature: Spending time outside in nature can work wonders for mental health. The outdoors comes with fresh air, sunshine, and a new perspective. Combined, these elements can lower the stress hormone cortisol, boost serotonin, and promote a sense of relaxation. Explore ways to get outside that bring you joy. Consider a local park, joining a hiking group, gardening, or simply finding a comfortable spot to sit and relax.
      7. Cultivate Gratitude: When you’re chronically overwhelmed, suddenly everything can feel stressful. Take time to focus on the good things in your life. Create a gratitude journal, or even just spend a few minutes keeping track of positive things that happen in your phone (but not during your screen time break!). Tell people when you appreciate them. Constant reminders of the positive will feel a whole lot better than dwelling on the negative.
      8. Engage in Hobbies: Recall things you enjoy doing and then… do them. Make it a priority to carve out time to do things just for your own joy. This could be reading a book, painting, playing music, crafting, playing a game – anything you want!
      9. Set Boundaries: This is a tough one, but learning to set boundaries is an incredibly important aspect of improving your mental health. Determine what boundaries are important for you in both your personal and professional life. It’s okay to say “no” and protect your time and energy. This can be difficult at first, especially if it’s new for you. After some practice and consistency, it will become easier and the benefits will become obvious.
      10. Cut Yourself Some Slack: Above all, it’s important to give yourself some grace. Life is hard, and struggles are inevitable. Be kind to yourself, especially during those struggles. But you are important, you matter and you’re doing the best you can. Practicing self-compassion will help push you in a positive direction instead of staying stuck in the darkness.