Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty Images
Take your sunshine pill.
On those days when you're mentally exhausted before lunchtime, sunshine can make the rest of the day feel less daunting. When our eyes detect light, the pineal gland in the brain produces the feel-good chemical serotonin to perk us up (the root words of serotonin are "serum" and "tonic"—it's basically a happiness potion). The vitamin D you get from sunshine has also been shown to have health benefits, like helping strengthen bones, boosting your immune system and reducing cancer risk—and newer research shows it may help protect the brain. A study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed the relationship between blood levels of vitamin D and cognitive ability in 858 older adults and found that over six years, people with very low vitamin D levels were 60 percent more likely than others to have major declines in thinking, learning and memory. You'll get a dose of D in about 10 minutes in the sun, so take your tea outside or bring a book to the stoop (remember to put sunscreen on your face, but for these short periods, leave your arms and legs bare).
Book an appointment with Dr. Fluff.
You may have heard that pets can ease the suffering of the sick or injured—but these furry Mother Teresas can even help those folks who are feeling generally okay. Petting your dog or cat—or even gazing at your fish in an aquarium—helps calm you down and lower your blood pressure. Researchers who tracked 24 hypertensive stockbrokers who adopted a cat or dog found that pet ownership blunted the blood pressure response to mental stress (incidentally, the standard hypertension drug did not). Don't have a pet? Visit a neighbor who does or stop by an animal shelter on your way home.
Try hands-on treatment.
Picking up things (and kids), sitting all day, having people lean on you—all of these take a toll on your back. You can stay flexible and strong by doing daily exercises like planks, downward dogs and bird dogs. When you notice aches and twinges, though, schedule a massage appointment. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that a relaxation-type or Swedish massage is an effective treatment for lower-back pain. Nearly two-thirds of patients who received a weekly massage for 10 weeks said their back pain was significantly improved or gone altogether (only about one-third of the patients receiving medication or physical therapy found similar relief).
Make self-care a plus one affair.
When your focus is on what other people need, want or have-to-have-this-minute, it's hard to remember—let alone do anything about—what you need or want, says Leah Eskenazi, director of operations and planning at the Family Caregiver Alliance. Spending time with a friend forces you to answer the question, "How are you?"—and you may be surprised at how much you have to say on that topic once you get going. We know—life seems to be on high RPMs all the time, and making plans might feel like yet another task you don't have time for. So leave it up to your friends: Once a month, pledge to say yes to any invitation you receive. Sure, the timing may not be the best, but few things are going to fit perfectly into your currently chaotic schedule, and, as your friends have probably been telling you, you need to get out of the house.
Seek out scent-sational relief.
Roses and gerber daisies can be colorful pick-me-ups, but they don't have the healing power of the less appreciated eucalyptus, especially when you feel a cold coming on. The scent of these leafy boughs has been shown to ease decongestion and clear the sinuses, so hang a bundle of fresh eucalyptus from the curtain rod in your bathroom as soon as you start sniffling. The heat and steam will activate the herb's essential oils, and one bunch should last a few weeks.
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Published 04/12/2019
