When it comes to taking care of your health and well-being, sleep is pretty much always part of the answer. Getting enough good-quality sleep keeps your immune system running at its best to fight off infections, like the one caused by the new coronavirus. Indeed: There are parts of the body’s immune response that happen only during sleep. Scientists know sleep is also one of the top ways we can help keep stress in check, as sleep deprivation can make us more sensitive to the effects of stress, ramping up our reactions (or overreactions). Finally, the brain needs sleep to function; without it, you’ll be less patient and focused, make poor decisions, and be more moody, irritable, and emotional. Spending a lot more time at home does not mean you get to be a couch potato. Staying active keeps your body healthy physically, keeping your risk of chronic health issues down and lowering your chances of an acute illness like COVID-19. It also boosts your sense of well-being. Exercise releases endorphins (hormones that make you feel good!), sharpens focus, and aids sleep. Staying physically active also lessens the risk of mood disorders, increases energy, and improves mood overall. Talk about a one-two punch against the midafternoon slump! Monopoly as an anti-stress strategy? A survey by game developer Real Networks found that 64 percent of respondents cited game playing as a way to relax, while 53 percent play for stress relief. Although part of the appeal is playing with friends and family in person, there are also tons of virtual options, like Words With Friends, or get your friends together and choose a game from Houseparty you can play in real time. Certain foods can actually have a stress-lowering effect. Warm foods like soup or tea are soothing, and the omega-3s in fatty fish may improve mood. Avocados are packed with vitamins C and B6, which are known to help reduce stress. Dark chocolate is antioxidant-rich, which is great for thwarting stress (do savor in moderation, however, as it’s a calorie-dense food). Other foods that can help include whole-grain carbohydrates, bananas, oranges, water, and leafy greens.
Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Staying hydrated can help support physical performance, prevent headaches and constipation, and more.
The human body comprises around 60% water.
It’s commonly recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule).
Although there’s little science behind this specific rule, staying hydrated is important.
Here are 7 evidence-based health benefits of drinking plenty o Creative writing offers unique benefits, says Phil Jamieson, founder of copy editing service Proofread Now in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire. He says it can foster self-expression, build confidence, clarify thoughts, and bolster empathy and communication skills. Research published in 2005 in the journal Advances in Psychiatric Treatment linked this type of writing to improved emotional and mental health.
You don’t have to be a pro to give it a try. Get out a notebook or open up a Word document and channel your inner Shakespeare, Dickens, or Beyoncé. You can even make it a social endeavor by joining an online writing class Everyone deals with stress in different ways, and the stress-buster that works for you may not work for your best friend. Take Everyday Health’s stress personality test, developed with mental health expert Heidi Hanna, PhD, a member of the Everyday Health Wellness Advisory Board, to help you better understand your stress personality and some of the best ways to cope with the challenges you
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