Today’s Health Tip ~ Practice Self Care

Setting aside time to practice self-care may help reduce your stress levels.

Practical examples include:

• going for a walk outside
• taking a bath
• lighting candles
• reading a good book
• exercising
• preparing a healthy meal
• stretching before bed
• getting a massage
• practicing a hobby
• using a diffuser with calming scents
• practicing yoga

Studies show that people who engage in self-care report lower levels of stress and improved quality of life, while a lack of self-care is associated with higher risk of stress and burnout.

Taking time for yourself is essential in order to live a healthy life. This is especially important for people who tend to be highly stressed, including nurses, doctors, teachers, and caretakers.

Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. It simply means tending to your well-being and happiness.

Exposure to certain scents via candles or essential oils may be especially calming. Here are a few relaxing scents:

• lavender
• rose
• vetiver
• bergamot
• Roman chamomile
• neroli
• frankincense
• sandalwood
• ylang-ylang
• orange or orange blossom
• geranium

Using scents to boost your mood is called aromatherapy. Several studies suggest that aromatherapy can decrease anxiety and improve sleep.

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