Stress doesn't just affect your mind – your body feels the effects of stress as well. From a lowered immune system to aches, pains, and more, both chronic and acute stress can make it hard to feel your best. While some types of stress can be reduced, stress itself is unavoidable. That being said, you can reduce the impact of stress on your health by utilizing stress management strategies that allow you to mitigate the effects of stress on your body.

Here, we'll take a look at the different ways stress can affect you physically, as well as steps you can take to manage stress in a way that positively contributes to your overall well-being.

The physiological effects of stress on the body

Our bodies are great at dealing with small doses of stress, but chronic stress and severe acute stress can both be physically taxing. In addition to mood changes, unmanaged stress can lead to both acute and chronic conditions that can make it difficult to get through the day.

How stress impacts immune function

When the body experiences stress, the brain releases cortisol, a hormone that's great for boosting immunity – in the short-term. When your body regularly releases cortisol due to chronic stress, or repeated acute stress events, you may experience inflammation that makes it harder for your body to fight illness.

Failure to manage stress levels can result in a number of immune system issues, including arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Many people find that when their stress is left unmanaged, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking, smoking, and overeating. These issues can create more stress in the body, creating a dangerous spiral.

The link between stress and cardiovascular health

Research shows that chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of stroke, heart attacks, and heart disease. A 2020 study showed that certain types of stress – including social isolation, marital stress, trauma, work stress, and childhood abuse – are more likely to contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event than other types of stress.

Strategies for reducing stress in daily life

While it's impossible to avoid all stress and anxiety that comes with the pressures of day-to-day life, implementing strategies that work to control your stress levels can help you feel your best.

Incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques

Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness techniques can work to promote relaxation. There's no need to attend a yoga class or book a session with a meditation expert (unless you want to) – there are plenty of ways for you to reap the benefits of mindfulness when you're on a budget or have a tight schedule.

Using an app like Calm can provide you with guided meditations that you can easily listen to whenever you have a few minutes of downtime. In the mood to fit a quick yoga flow into your day? We love Yoga with Adriene's free, positive yoga videos that offer modifications that make it easy for yogis of all experience levels to enjoy the benefit of regular practice.

Establishing healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care

Elevated stress over time can lead to burnout, which can make it difficult to work, enjoy relationships, and feel happy and healthy. While the idea of burnout is often work-related, it can also apply to romantic relationships, friendships, and family issues. Creating boundaries can feel difficult at first, but doing so allows you to say yes to what really matters (including your own self-care).

If you're dealing with an onslaught of work that's beyond your pay grade in the office, schedule a meeting to talk with your supervisor about the boundaries you need to set in order to avoid burnout. A similar approach can be taken with family and friends whose needs are pushing you to your limit. Having an honest, open conversation about your bandwidth and availability can help others understand that saying no to requests and invitations isn't about them – it's about you prioritizing your own needs.

Scheduling your self-care activities as appointments can help you to prioritize the activities that help you manage stress. Creating time in your calendar to enjoy a walk, cook a new healthy meal, or talk with a trusted friend can all help you lower your baseline stress levels so that you're better able to handle whatever life throws your way.

The role of exercise and physical activity in stress management

When you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed, exercise can feel like the last thing you want to add to your schedule. Making physical activity a regular part of your life, however, can help to lower chronic stress levels and better equip you to deal with acute stress.

The immediate physical stress of exercise can help teach your body how to work through tough situations, bolstering your stress management toolkit. Working out can also support your immune, digestive, and cardiovascular health, mitigating the negative effects of stress on these vital systems.

While going through a tough workout can be a great way to lower stress levels, even short bursts of movement can have health benefits. Going for a few ten minute walks throughout the day can be a time-effective way to enjoy the benefits of exercise without adding another item to your to-do list.

Nutrition and diet tips for stress reduction

Meeting your body's nutritional needs can ease the physical effects of stress. Eating regularly throughout the day can help to keep your blood sugar levels even, which can help to keep your body's response to stress under control. Cutting down on caffeine, adding high-fiber foods (like oatmeal, vegetables, and fruits) to your diet can also help boost your body's ability to withstand stress.

Evidation: Supporting your physical and emotional well-being

At Evidation, we use the data you provide to offer personalized insights, tips, and tricks that can benefit your well-being. Try implementing a few of the tips above to begin the process of building your stress management toolkit. Figuring out what works for you to manage stress levels can take some time, but it's well worth the effort. Stress management is a crucial part of a healthy life, and we're honored to help you feel your best. Learn more about how Evidation works and download the app today.

Stress management is vital to a happy, healthy life, but figuring out how to get stress under control is often easier said than done. According to a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association, Americans have recently shown increased rates of diagnoses for both chronic health conditions and mental health issues, both indicators of stress. While this information can be daunting, there are steps you can take to mitigate the effects of stress on your mind and body. At Evidation, our team is here to provide you with the personalized insights you need to get your stress under control. Here, we'll explore stress management techniques that you can use to feel your best.

Understanding stress and its effects on health

When you pay attention, you can feel the immediate effects of stress on your body. From the feeling of your shoulders tensing when you receive difficult news to the flip-flops you feel in your stomach before taking the floor for a presentation at work, stress affects both your mental and physical health.

Let's take a look at what happens to your body and brain when you're met with a stressor.

When your brain senses a stressful event, the eyes and/or the ears work together to send sensory information to the amygdala, a part of the brain that helps with processing emotions. The amygdala works to determine whether a threat is present. If danger is perceived, a distress signal is sent to the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that works as the director of many aspects of the nervous system, including involuntary functions like blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing.

After the hypothalamus receives a distress call from the amygdala, the sympathetic nervous system – the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response – is activated. The hypothalamus sends a message to the adrenal glands, which introduce adrenaline into the bloodstream. Adrenaline increases heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. Alertness is increased as the eyes and ears become more sensitive. Blood sugar and fats are used for energy during this process.

After the initial surge of hormones subsides, the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands work together to activate the next phase of the stress response. If the brain continues to receive information that signals imminent danger, these organs work together to release cortisol, which allows the body to stay alert. After the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system slows the stress response, allowing the body and brain's chemistry to return to normal.

When functioning properly, the body's stress response works to keep us safe. For many people, however, the brakes that are meant to stop the stress response don't work so well. This results in chronic, low-level stress that can cause a number of physical and mental health issues.

In addition to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, above-average release of stress hormones can cause problems with blood pressure, and can lead to an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since cortisol works to help the body access energy, constant chronic stress can result in increased hunger and build up of excess adipose (fat) tissue, leading to weight gain.

Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to lower your stress levels and reduce the effects that stress has on your health.

Practical stress management techniques for everyday life

The best stress management strategies are the ones that you'll actually remember to do. It can take some time to figure out what approach to stress management is the right fit for your needs. Implementing a few strategies to manage stress each week can help you determine what works well for you and what doesn't.

Leveraging technology for stress relief: Evidation's approach

At Evidation, our team is here to provide you with the personalized insights you need to thrive, no matter what level of stress you're dealing with in your life.

Our app works to use the health data that you choose to share, as well as the information you provide us regarding your health and your goals, to help you live your best life. We're excited to work with you and use our technology to help lower your stress levels, simply by working with the data you're already tracking.

Monitoring stress levels with Evidation's health app

At Evidation, we use the health data you choose to share to provide you with articles and action items that can help you meet your health goals. By pairing with more than 20 apps, including Fitbit, Withings, Garmin, Dexcom, Apple Health, and Google Fit, we make it easy for you to get the information you need to move your health forward. We're able to use your sleep, heart rate, breathing rate, and other data that you provide to help you understand your body's response to stress.

Personalized recommendations for stress reduction

Many of our Evidation Members benefit from our stress reduction and management recommendations. Let's take a look at some of the most effective techniques our members use for managing stress.

Prioritize sleep

When it seems like your to-do list is never going to end, it can be hard to figure out how to get more sleep – but doing so is essential to your well-being. Sleep doesn't just give you a break from the stressful thoughts that may be running through your head, it can also help you recover from stress more quickly.

As we discussed, your body may go into fight-or-flight mode during times of stress, releasing hormones that can be vital for survival in times of danger. Your body perceives sleep deprivation as another type of stress, which can result in the unnecessary continual release of stress hormones.

Getting a good night's sleep is often more easily said than done, especially if you're dealing with an acute stressor that's making it hard to relax. Some people find that sleep affects their stress by making it hard to stay asleep, while others may wake up too early and find it difficult to go back to sleep. While everyone has trouble sleeping from time to time, chronic insomnia (difficulty sleeping that lasts for a month or longer) can have negative effects on your health.

Try these tips to make the most of your sleep:

• Create the right environment for sleep. A cool, dark room is ideal for helping you get the rest you need.
• Develop an effective bedtime routine. Stepping away from screens for an hour or so before you go to bed can help your brain prepare for sleep. Taking a warm bath or shower before transitioning into your cooler bedroom can help your body temperature take the small dip it needs to ease into restful sleep.
• Consider cutting caffeine. For some, drinking coffee or tea late in the day can make it difficult to sleep at night. Consider lowering your caffeine intake, restricting caffeine to morning hours only, or eliminating caffeinated beverages if you're having trouble falling asleep.

Stay active

Exercise can work wonders for stress management. While it's ideal to shoot for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, shorter bursts of exercise can also help to support stress.

The benefits of getting active, even for short periods each day, include:

• Stress reduction. Your body is better able to mitigate the fight or flight response when it gets practice during periods of physical activity. The physical effects of stress – such as damage to your cardiovascular system and a lowered immune system – can also be mitigated through exercise.
• Endorphin boost. Endorphins are chemicals that help your brain and body feel relaxed and comfortable, and aerobic activity bumps up your brain's production of these feel-good hormones.
• Moving meditation. Fully focusing on your workout can give your brain a break from the stressors of the day. Many people find that repetitive motion – like swimming, walking, or jogging – can help clear the mind and reduce stress.

If you haven't worked out in a while, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about what type of exercise is the right fit for you. This is also an important step if you have certain health conditions or have experienced joint or muscular injuries in the past.

Engage in relaxation techniques

If you're dealing with stress and anxiety management struggles, adding relaxation techniques into your day can provide you with the foundation you need to function optimally.

• Deep breathing is a simple practice that you can utilize anywhere, whether you're dealing with an acute stressor or you're simply working to lower your baseline stress levels. Many people find success with box breathing. To give it a try, breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, and then slowly release your breath over the next eight seconds. Repeat as necessary.
• Visualization is another helpful technique that can help your mind get a break from stress. While a licensed therapist or counselor can work with you to help you develop effective visualization techniques, you can also work on visualization on your own. First, you'll think about a place that feels relaxing to you. Then, you'll use as many senses as possible to fully immerse yourself in your visualization. Notice what you can see, feel, hear, tough, and smell.
• Meditation. There's more to meditation than simply sitting silently. Taking a few minutes to meditate can help you allow thoughts to flow freely through your mind, without having to pay attention to stressful or painful issues that arise. Focusing on a word, feeling, or your breathing can allow both your mind and body to get the break they need to handle stress effectively.

Practice time management

Avoiding burnout can be tough if you're in a stressful job or family situation, and using sound time management practices can help to ensure that you're finding the time necessary for self-care.

Just getting started with improving how you manage your time? Try these tips to get a good idea of how you can manage your time more effectively:

• Audit your time. It's easy to get to the end of the day and feel like you weren't able to get much accomplished, even though it felt like you never stopped moving or working. Conducting an audit of your time can help you find areas where you can utilize your time more wisely. Try to reserve judgment as you conduct your time audit. Simply take the information for what it is, and look for places where you can change your approach and use your time more effectively.
• Consider implementing the Eisenhower Matrix. While this tool sounds complicated, it's anything but. The Eisenhower Matrix involves splitting all of your tasks for the day into four quadrants: important and urgent, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and not important and not urgent. Organizing your daily tasks this way can provide you with a simple visual that can help to effectively plan your day.
• Chunk your time. The Pomodoro method is a popular time management technique that can be used to help you stay on track as you work through work and personal tasks. You'll need a timer (your cell phone works). Work for a 25-minute interval, then take a 5-minute break. After you go through this cycle four times, you'll take a 15-30 minute break to refocus. Many people find that this method of working helps to ease mental fatigue and boost concentration.

At Evidation, we're here to help you live your best life

Stress is unavoidable, and having the right coping strategies in your stress management tool kit can help you live your best life. At Evidation, our app offers valuable tools to help you track your stress levels and receive valuable insights that help you manage your stress, instead of letting your stress manage you. Empower yourself by downloading our app today.

You may already understand the importance of lifestyle when it comes to your well-being, but it can be tough to know exactly how to add healthy habits into your day-to-day life. Thankfully, making small, sustainable changes over time can be all that you need to take your wellness to the next level.

Here, we'll explore the adjustments you can make to your daily life to incorporate healthy habits that actually stick.

Examine your mindset

Getting your mind right before beginning the process of implementing new habits is an important first step in ensuring your new lifestyle can stand the test of time. Many of us have tried to develop healthier habits, only to stumble as soon as the first roadblock occurs. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. Getting honest with yourself about how you'll stay on track when things get tough and why you want to make a change can give your new healthy habits a serious boost of staying power.

A few questions to ask yourself to help you get in the right frame of mind for sustainable change:

Why do I want to change my habits?

Understanding your why is key when making a lifestyle change. Being as specific as possible can help. If you want to increase the years in your life and the life in your years, want to be able to be active with your children, or simply want to have the energy that it takes to make it through a busy day at work, knowing the reasoning behind your habit changes can help keep you moving forward after the newness of your lifestyle change begins to wear off.

How do I want to feel at the end of each day?

Reminding yourself how you want to feel when the day comes to a close can help keep you motivated toward sticking to your new habits. Perhaps you want to feel tired and ready to rest, especially if you deal with insomnia or nighttime anxiety that keeps you awake. Perhaps you want to feel excited for the morning ahead, motivated by a goal that you're working towards. Remembering how you want to feel when the day is over can help you stick to your habits, one day at a time.

Are there any health metrics I'd like to change?

Whether you use a health tracker or you rely on the labs your doctor recommends in order to understand your health metrics, changes in your lifestyle can help boost your health in the right direction. For example, if you're working to lower your cholesterol, you may find it easier to stick to a nutrition and exercise plan with your goal in mind. If you're working to improve your heart health metrics, you may find that you're more motivated to engage in physical activity.

How will I continue to follow through with my habits even on days when my motivation is low, or when life gets in the way?

Setting a plan in place for how you'll keep yourself going when times get tough is key for sticking to your new habits. Giving yourself room for tough days can help—for example, committing to exercise four times each week instead of every day can help you make adjustments when necessary.

Now, let's dig into some sustainable tips you can put to use today to help you start improving your daily habits.

Set realistic and achievable goals

Having big goals—like running a marathon, competing in a triathlon, or climbing a mountain—is fantastic, and can be motivating. That being said, it's important to have smaller, achievable goals that will keep you focused and moving.

If you want to run a marathon but are lacing up your running shoes for the first time, it can make more sense to work toward running for 15 minutes without a break instead of diving head-first into a marathon training plan. As you meet smaller goals, you'll then be able to take the next step toward meeting your big goals.

Prioritize self-care activities

Self-care isn't just about relaxing on the couch or getting a pedicure (although there's nothing wrong with either of those activities!). It's also about keeping up with check-ups and dental screenings whenever possible, having tough conversations when necessary, ensuring that your home is a welcoming environment, and feeding your body the nutritious, filling foods that it needs to thrive.

Taking 30 minutes each day for self-care can help you continue to work toward your healthy habits, one day at a time. Many people find it helpful to make an appointment for self-care in a planner, treating it with the same seriousness as they'd treat any other appointment.

Incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine

Making small changes to boost the amount of physical activity you get in your day can go a long way in helping to boost your wellness. While setting time aside for full workouts can be helpful, there are other ways that you can sneak some extra steps into your day, including:

• Taking the stairs instead of using the elevator whenever possible.
• Choosing a parking space a block or two away from your destination.
• Taking 10 minutes of your lunch break to go for a quick stroll around the block.
• Playing tag with your children or chasing your pet outdoors.
• Setting up walking meetings with co-workers instead of sit-down or virtual meetings.

Build strong social support networks

Connection and community are key to well-being. In today's digitized world, many people go days—or even weeks—without face-to-face interactions with others. Making a point to spend time with other people in the real world can help to support your health and well-being.

Being a part of a community can help you feel the support necessary to manage stress, stay accountable to commitments, and reduce feelings of isolation. Research shows that people who feel connected to their communities are more likely to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and have lower blood pressure.

Not sure how to start engaging with your community? You're not alone. The pandemic has left many feeling isolated and unsure of how to connect. Some ideas to get in touch with others in your area include:

• Sign up for a class in your area of interest, such as an adult dance class, exercise class, or lifelong learner class at your local university.
• Join a book or board game club at your community's library.
• Engage with a group of like-minded people at your place of worship.

If you aren't able to meet with others face-to-face, digital connections still provide some benefits. Setting up a weekly video call with friends can be a fun way to talk with others, as can participating in online groups and forums with people who share your interests.

Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques

Meditation, mindfulness, and other stress management techniques can all help you work toward a healthier lifestyle. Stress is a natural and unavoidable part of life, but chronic stress can take a toll on your well-being.

Simple ways to incorporate mindfulness and stress management into your daily life include:

• Spend time in nature. Whether you get a chance to eat lunch outdoors or go for a hike on the weekend, getting time away from the noise of daily life by immersing yourself in nature can help to reduce stress levels.
• Consider meditation. Spending a few minutes each day working through a guided meditation can provide both physical and mental health benefits, including stress reduction, lowered levels of anxiety, a longer attention span, and improved sleep.
• Keep a gratitude journal. Taking a few moments each day to focus on what you're thankful for can help to orient your mind to focus on the positive.

Cultivate healthy eating habits

A full dietary overhaul can feel overwhelming, and isn't always sustainable. Instead of changing everything about the way you eat, finding small ways to add extra nutrition to your day can go a long way in helping you feel your best.

Aiming for at least two and a half servings of vegetables each day is ideal, but it's OK to start small. Adding a single serving of veggies to your day is a solid step up from eating no veggies at all. A side salad with dinner, carrot and celery sticks for a snack, or adding a veggie-loaded soup to your lunch can all help boost your nutrient intake.

Adopt the Japanese principle of hara hachi bu, which means eating until you're 80% full. Those of us who were told to clean our plates while growing up often struggle to know when to stop eating. Checking in with yourself regularly over the course of your meal can help you understand how to feel satisfied without feeling stuffed.

Establish a consistent sleep schedule

Keeping a solid sleep schedule can help you maintain great sleep hygiene. Going to sleep at the same time and waking up at the same time each day can work to support a healthy immune system and keep you feeling your best.

Establishing a solid nighttime routine—including taking a few minutes to unwind—can help support healthy sleep hygiene. Experts recommend avoiding screens as much as possible for the hour before you go to sleep, as well as turning down the thermostat in your room to around 65 degrees.

Embrace work-life balance strategies

In today's always-available world, it can be tough to step away from work, but doing so is imperative for your physical and mental well-being. For many people, working from home in a post-pandemic world has made it even more difficult to separate work life and home life. Establishing boundaries can be tough, but it's important to separate your work life and your personal life so you can have the time you need to relax and reset. Taking small steps can work to help you move forward with creating a hard line between your work self and your off-the-clock self.

Try these tips to begin the process of creating a separation from work:

• Set a start and end time, and stick to it. If you receive requests toward the end of your work day, let your supervisor know that you'll need to tackle the requests at the start of the following work day.
• Set boundaries on digital communication platforms. If your workplace uses a digital communication system like Slack or Teams, set your status to away or unavailable when you log off for the day.
• If possible, use separate devices for your work and your personal life. At the end of your work day, set your device on its charger in an out-of-the way location.

Use technology in your favor

You already use technology regularly throughout the day, and it's smart to make your phone, smartwatch, and other devices work for you. At Evidation, we put your health data to work, analyzing your activity level, stress level, nutrition, and more to create the personalized insights necessary to help you feel your best. Click here to learn more and download the app today.

The bottom line: you don't need to make huge changes to start the path toward feeling your best. Implementing one or two small changes each week can allow you to build a life of sustainable healthy habits that allow you to thrive.

Looking for healthy habits to start to help you live your best life? We've got you. At Evidation, we work to help you make sustainable changes that create an actual difference in your physical and mental health. We understand that a total lifestyle overhaul can be overwhelming, and that building small habits that you can keep up over time is usually a better way to work toward the results that you want. Here, we'll take a look at why getting started with healthy habits can make a world of difference when it comes to your well-being.

Importance of healthy habits

When it comes to getting healthy, you don't need to make an immediate lifestyle overhaul—it's about creating new routines that help you thrive and changing old behavioral patterns that have been holding you back. Implementing small daily habits can help create sustainable change you can keep up over time. Here, we'll take a look at some simple daily habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle to help you feel your best.

Incorporate daily physical activity

Adding exercise to your schedule doesn't just boost your cardiovascular health. It also can help you get better sleep, lower stress levels, and boost your energy.

Not sure where to start? We get it. Try these ways to add a little more activity to your day:

Take a brisk walk during your lunch break or after dinner.

It sounds simple, but adding a daily walk to your routine can go a long way to boosting your health. According to a study at Harvard, walking can lessen the effect of genes that promote obesity, while also lowering joint pain and boosting the function of the immune system.

Use stairs instead of elevators whenever possible.

Believe it or not, taking the stairs boosts cardiovascular fitness, reduces the risk of stroke, and strengthens your muscles. Forgo the elevator and enjoy the burst of energy you feel at the top.

Do a quick body weight workout at home, such as push-ups, squats, and lunges.

Not sure where to start? Check out this simple body weight workout you can use to feel the burn without any equipment.

Prioritizing nutritious eating habits

What you eat matters, and it can be easier to make positive changes to your nutrition habits by focusing on what you can add to your life—instead of thinking about what you're taking away.

Try making these additions to your diet to boost your energy and fuel your body:

• Include a serving of vegetables with every meal. Bonus points if you get more than five servings of veggies in a day!
• Choose whole grains over refined grains, such as brown rice instead of white rice. There's no reason to cut out carbs—they're a great energy source. That being said, choose less-processed carbs whenever you have the option.
• Snack on fruits, veggies, nuts, or yogurt instead of processed snacks. When your body is hungry, eat! Choosing healthier snack options can give you the fuel you need without the energy crash that comes after a sugar rush.

Cultivating consistent sleep patterns

When you're working hard to create healthier habits, it's important to give your body the high-quality rest it needs. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to help you drift off to sleep—and stay asleep—more easily. It's also a good idea to stop using screens one to two hours before you go to bed, and to cut out caffeine after noon to help you relax.

Prioritize mental health care

When it comes to overall well-being, your mental health matters. Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can enhance your sense of well-being. It's not always easy to find ways to de-stress, but you don't have to try to figure it out on your own. Talking with a licensed counselor or therapist to learn strategies to manage stress is a smart, effective way to feel your best.

Strategies for sustaining healthy habits over time

Ready to get started? Check out these strategies for keeping the positive momentum going:

• Set small goals that keep you moving. Rather than commit to completing a triathlon in a few months, set smaller goals—like exercising four days each week consistently.
• Leave some wiggle room in your schedule. This can help you make adjustments that keep you on track.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Working with a licensed dietitian, personal trainer, or talking with your doctor about how to move forward in supporting your health can all provide valuable insights on how to move forward.

Overcoming challenges and staying motivated

Stress, work, family, health issues, financial problems, relationship issues—there are countless lifestyle factors that can make it tough to stay on track with healthy habits. Thinking through the tools you'll use to stick to your new habits when times get tough can make all the difference in helping your new routine hold up over time.

Some ways to stick with your new lifestyle habits when life gets in the way include:

• Remind yourself that done is better than perfect. If your workday ran later than you anticipated and you missed your workout class, taking a brisk, 10-minute walk around the block is a far better option than ditching exercise for the day.
• Rely on an accountability partner. When you share your goals with someone and ask for accountability, it can motivate you to stay on track when times get difficult.

Taking the steps necessary to be healthier isn't always easy—but it is worth it. Taking small steps, like incorporating a walk after lunch into your daily schedule or enjoying an extra serving of veggies with dinner can help to set you up for success. When you incorporate new healthy habits into your life, take your time noticing how much better you feel, and use that success to encourage you to continue boosting your health, one choice at a time.

Download Evidation Today!

At Evidation, we're here to support you as you work toward becoming the healthiest version of yourself. We use the health data you choose to share to provide you with personalized tips and insights that can help move your health forward. Learn more about what we do and download the Evidation app today.

It's easy to define the term "self-care." Simply put, self-care is caring for yourself. Anything you do to prioritize your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health is self-care. When it comes to mental well-being, it helps to think of self-care as a personal pit stop in a daily race.

Maintaining mental well-being can be a challenge, but when you make self-care a habit, you give yourself an advantage and the edge you need to thrive. Let's dive in and learn more about self-care activities for mental health.

Why is self-care important?

To understand the importance of self-care, let's use the automobile as an analogy. When you drive your brand-new car off the lot, it will probably run well with no maintenance for quite a while as long as you keep putting gas in it. However, at some point, you need more than gas to keep your car going. Regular maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups, and new tires are all needed to keep your car at its best.

Self-care for your mental health is as important as servicing your car. Specifically, self-care is essential for your mental health because it can help you better manage stress and anxiety over the long haul, as well as give you the tools you need to avoid burnout.

One thing to remember is that self-care for mental health isn't just about how it makes you feel better in the moment. Self-care is a preventative practice. Using the automobile example, we don't wait to get an oil change until the car breaks down. Regular oil changes and other maintenance are what keep the car functioning at its best. Investing in your mental health long-term can pay dividends for your entire lifetime.

How to practice self-care

The most effective way to practice self-care is to make it a habit. It's not a good idea to wait to do self-care when you're facing a crisis, whether it's a mental health crisis or a crisis in another area of your life.

We recommend making self-care a part of your routine. You can even go as far as actually scheduling regular self-care. For example, set a time every week to unplug from technology and read books, spend time in nature, or visit with friends and family.

To practice self-care:

1. Recognize the signs when you're in need of self-care.
2. Have a checklist prepared with self-care activities you can do to respond to your needs.

Below, we outline some specific self-care activities for mental health.

Sleep

We all need quality sleep to be healthy and function at our best, both mentally and physically. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only 33% of Americans get the sleep they need.

If you don't get sufficient sleep, you may find yourself becoming moody and irritable. When we're well-rested, it's easier to stay emotionally and mentally grounded. The National Sleep Foundation says average adults need approximately 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Also, consider indulging yourself with a nap when you need a quick recharge. Power napping for 20-30 minutes is the perfect way to clear your mind and reset. To take a nap, find a quiet spot with minimal distractions. This may be actually lying down in bed, dozing in a chair in your living room, or even putting your head down on your desk.

Breathing exercises

One way to unwind and reset is with breathing exercises. Conscious breathing brings your attention to your breath as you pay attention to each breath that goes in and out.

Follow these steps to begin conscious breathing:

1. Lie down or sit in a comfortable spot.
2. Close your eyes and start breathing, bringing your attention to your breaths.
3. When you breathe in, hold your breath for five seconds, then exhale.
4. As you inhale and exhale, pay attention to your breath as it moves into and out of your body.
5. Say the word "in" as you breathe in and "out" as you exhale.
6. If it helps, consider adding a mantra to help you stay focused on your breath.

Exercise

Regular exercise has a link to stronger bodies and healthier minds. Exercise helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and lower the risk of age-related mental decline.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that walking for 30 minutes every day helps improve your health and boost your mood. Even if you can't walk for 30 minutes at a time, breaking your walking up into several shorter walks adds up and has the same effect. In addition to walking, low-impact exercises like yoga are effective for self-care.

Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment or being aware and conscious of whatever is going on with you, your mind, and your body. Equally important, mindfulness brings balance to your life and helps you maintain the progress you make in your mental-health self-care.

One way to achieve mindfulness is by implementing and maintaining a meditation practice. As you meditate, keep the seven pillars of mindfulness in mind:

1. Non-judging: Pay attention to your thoughts as they pop into your mind, but don't judge them. Simply acknowledge them.
2. Patience: Everything will emerge when the time is right. Be as patient with yourself as you are with other people.
3. Beginner's mind: Observe things with an uncluttered and clear mind. Avoid allowing past experiences, expectations, and beliefs to keep you from seeing things as they are in the present moment.
4. Trust: Trust yourself and your feelings. We all make mistakes as we go through life, but looking inward for guidance and trusting your intuition can help.
5. Non-striving: We approach most of our lives with plans and goals. However, mindfulness and meditation are all about focusing on seeing things as they are in the present moment and accepting them. Embrace the moment, and focus on "non-doing."
6. Acceptance: When you accept things as they are without striving to change them, you become more aware of what you're experiencing at any given moment.
7. Letting go: This comes back to non-judging. As you pay attention to your thoughts and inner experiences, you might discover your mind tries to hold onto some thoughts. Try to let them go and allow them to be what they are rather than getting caught up in judging them.

Taking the time to meditate when you're feeling stressed can quickly de-escalate anxiety and bring you back to a healthier mental headspace. However, having a regular meditation practice in place helps you stay on track. Try to meditate at the same time every day so it becomes a part of your daily routine.

Tracking self-care for optimal health

Now that you're up-to-date on some great self-care activities for mental health, you can level up your personal effectiveness and healthy living. In terms of how to improve mental health, tracking can help. Evidation Members can track their mood and self-care activities and earn points. Download our app today to learn more.

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In 2022, the National Park Service had 312 million recreational visitors–an increase of 5% from the number of recreational visitors in 2021. And, the United States hosts 6 of the 10 longest hiking trails in the world. There’s no shortage of places to explore and activities to try in the US.

But as temperatures rise, and more people are looking to spend time outdoors, it can be overwhelming to decide which activities to take part in.

‍So, what are some of the best outdoor summer activities to keep you moving?

‍How can you enjoy the weather, while also staying active and healthy?

In today’s article, we’ll be talking about outdoor summer activities to help improve your health and wellness. Keep reading to learn more.

Benefits of being outdoors

Getting outside feels great–and there’s science to explain why feeling the sun on your skin is so refreshing. Both your physical and mental health get a boost when you spend time doing outdoor exercise activities.

When it comes to physical wellness, the benefits of getting outside are numerous. Studies show that spending time in the great outdoors can boost sleep quality, reduce the risk of developing cancer, and can increase life expectancy. When combined with eating well and moving your body, spending time outdoors can be a fantastic addition to your wellness routine. 

‍Studies also show that some people feel more comfortable exercising when they’re outside, and simply spending time in nature can inspire people to get moving. When you spend time outdoors, your body’s stress levels naturally reduce. Cortisol levels (your body’s natural stress hormone that can contribute to weight gain when left unchecked) fall, as does heart rate. High levels of stress and cortisol can increase the risk of heart disease, and spending time outdoors is a fast and easy way to boost heart health. 

There are also many mental health benefits that come with spending time outdoors. Research shows that people who spend significant amounts of time outside have a lower risk of depression and are able to recover from stress more quickly than people who don’t spend much time outdoors. 

Another benefit of spending time outdoors: connection with others. In many towns and cities, outdoor spaces are natural places for people to gather and spend time together without having to plan ahead. The likelihood of running into a neighbor or making a new friend is usually higher in a natural outdoor space. 

Green outdoor spaces don’t just benefit people on a personal level–they’re also great for helping communities stay healthy. A study showed that when an effort is made to transform empty lots into green spaces, neighborhood crime goes down by 13%, and reports of feelings associated with depression in the community go down by 41%. The study also showed that neighbors tend to have better attitudes toward one another in clean, green neighborhoods. 

Outdoor summer activities for adults

Ready to take your movement outdoors, or just spend some time with loved ones in a green space? We’ve got you. Check out these ideas for enjoying the sunshine and boosting your mood with fresh air and open spaces. 

Hiking

In a survey by the National Recreation and Park Association, Americans aged 18+ were asked what their favorite outdoor summer activity was. 

‍49% of them said going for a walk or hike.

Both activities require very little equipment to get started. They provide a convenient way to get active while also enjoying the weather.

Regular physical activity from walking or hiking can help:

• Improve endurance
• Increase energy levels
• Reduce stress and tension
• Improve cardiovascular fitness
• Improve your sleep, mood, cognition, and memory 
• Strengthen your bones, muscles, and immune system

With so many benefits, it’s hard not to see the attraction of walking or hiking. Try going for a walk in your local neighborhood or exploring a trail in your area. 

Biking

Whether you want to hit the trail or you’re looking to commute in an environmentally-friendly way, biking is a fantastic option to get where you need to go while enjoying the great outdoors. 

To boost the health benefits of cycling, get social. Joining a local biking group can be a great way to discover new trails, make friends, and become involved in your local community. 

Lawn Sports

Summer brings social gatherings like picnics, parties, and barbecues, and enjoying time outside. Suggesting lawn games can be a fun way to get moving while spending time with people in your community. 

Games like croquet, horseshoes, frisbee, and lawn darts can bring out your competitive spirit while allowing you to get exercise and spend time with loved ones. 

Visit the beach

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, 40% of people said their favorite summer activity was going to the beach.

It’s a great environment for embracing the warm weather, while also getting active at the same time. There are outdoor activities that kids can enjoy, and outdoor activities for adults to exercise, compete, and socialize with friends and family.

‍But what sort of activities?

A few ideas to keep you moving at the beach might include:

• Volleyball - this can be a great way to socialize and work as a team while also getting aerobic exercise.
• Swimming - as the fourth most popular sport in the United States, swimming hosts a wealth of benefits. Exercising in water may help people with arthritis improve the movement of their arthritic joints. And it can also improve mood and decrease the risk of chronic illness. 

There are a variety of different activities you can take part in while out in the water.

Whether you enjoy kayaking, canoeing with a friend, or water sports. All activities are a great way to get some aerobic exercise and enjoy the water and weather.

Kayaking and canoeing work many muscles in the body. They engage upper body muscles, legs, and even core muscles. This may result in an increase in muscle mass and strength and an improved ability to balance.

There’s an endless amount of water sports to try. From wakeboarding to water polo, participating in these activities can help improve mental and physical strength and increase confidence.

During summer, the weather is warm enough to enjoy the water and embrace nature. Although, we recommend protecting yourself with sunscreen and keeping cool by staying in the shade when you can, and drinking lots of water.

So, whether you decide to take up a new hobby like wakeboarding, or try out a new trail in your local area, it’s up to you to decide what outdoor summer activity you want to take part in.

Make sure to share this article with a friend, family member, or coworker you might want to go on a day trip with and try out some of these outdoor summer activities.

Evidation is here to help you get the data you need to boost your physical activity, understand how your lifestyle affects your health, and help you feel your best. Download the app today to get started.

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Yoga's history traces back to more than 5000 years ago in northern India, and it stems from the culture’s philosophy. Originally, yoga was considered to be a spiritual practice, but it has evolved to promote mental and physical well-being as well.

In recent years, this complex and ancient practice has become increasingly popular in the U.S. with more than 55 million people currently practicing yoga. What are the benefits of yoga, and how does a beginner get started? Let's dive in and learn more.

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga's benefits are well-documented. Once you become active in your yoga practice, most can expect to reap all of these benefits and more:

• Stress relief
• Weight loss
• Improved emotional and mental health
• Relief from arthritis symptoms
• Help with the management of depression and anxiety
• Improved balance
• Neck and back pain relief
• Improved sleep
• Relief from menopause symptoms
• Improved quality of life

Simple yoga poses

There are various types of basic yoga poses, and the ones that are a good fit for you depend on how you want to move your body and any restrictions or health conditions you may need to account for.

• Standing poses: You'll likely do some standing poses to warm up and "build heat" when you arrive at your yoga classes. Standing poses are strung together in flow style or vinyasa yoga to form long sequences.
• Backbends: For beginners, most people begin with gentle spine extension and flexion before moving into deeper backbends. Most of us rarely do backbends in everyday life, so becoming adept at doing these is essential for longevity and spinal health.
• Balancing poses: At the beginning of your yoga practice, it's important to build core strength, which is necessary for doing more advanced poses. Balance poses can be challenging at first, but with regular practice, you'll quickly improve.
• Supine or resting poses: When you need to take a break during a yoga class, you'll probably be encouraged to do a resting pose. These poses are also sometimes called a "child's pose." Resting poses keep the hamstring and hip work of seated poses going.
• Seated poses: Seated stretches focus on stretching your hamstrings and hips. Typically, seated stretches are done once your body is warmed up.

Yoga poses for beginners

1. Chakravakasana (cat-cow stretch)

Pose type: backbend

Cat-cow stretches offer both spinal extension and spinal flexion. When you move back and forth, it warms and awakens your back. The cat-cow stretch serves as a basic introduction to a vinyasa sequence. This pose helps alleviate back pain.

2. Baddha konasana (cobbler's pose)

Pose type: seated

With the cobbler pose, you let gravity do all the work to stretch your inner thighs. If this position is difficult for you, use props for support or sit on a cushion to raise your hips.

3. Vrksasana (tree pose)

Pose type: Balancing/standing

The tree pose is one of the first balancing postures new yoga practitioners try. If you have a medical condition such as low blood pressure that affects your balance, the tree pose is one you may want to skip. You can also modify the tree pose by placing one of your hands against a wall for support.

4. Balasana (child's pose)

Pose type: resting

When you need a break from your class or you're feeling fatigued, the child's pose allows you to gently stretch your hips, back, ankles, and thighs while you rest.

5. Bhujangasana (cobra pose)

Pose type: backbend

The cobra pose is popular in flow yoga, where it's done several times during every class. This pose is a part of the vinyasa poses sequence. A full cobra offers a deeper backbend, while low cobras are done by lifting your chest without pressing into your hands.

6. Adho mukha svanasana (downward-facing dog)

Pose type: standing

Because of its unique name, the downward dog is one of the most well-known yoga poses. Remember to place most of your weight on your legs and get your hips up high with your heels stretching to the floor. You don't have to have your heels touching the floor.

7. Sukhasana (easy pose)

Pose type: seated

The easy pose is one of the first poses new yoga practitioners learn. This pose is what many people think of when they picture someone doing yoga or meditating. To do the easy pose, sit cross-legged on your mat and rest your hands palms up on your knees, keeping your spine as straight as possible.

8. Uttanasana (standing forward bend)

Pose type: standing

To do this pose, stand up straight, exhale, and bend down to touch your hands on the floor, allowing your head to hang heavy. Your legs can be gently bent with your feet hip-width apart.

9. Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend)

Pose type: seated

The seated forward bend is a hamstring stretch. This pose helps people who do a lot of sitting strengthen and lengthen their hamstrings. The seated forward bend gives the entire back of the body a stretch.

10. Janu sirsasana (head-to-knee pose)

Pose type: seated

If you have tight hamstrings, forward bends can be challenging. The head-to-knee pose is more accessible because you stretch just one leg out at a time. For this pose, you can also use a strap to place around your foot.

11. Tadasana (mountain pose)

Pose type: standing

Mountain poses align your body from the top of your head down to your heels. In this pose, your pelvis and shoulders are staked along the line. The mountain pose helps improve posture and will give you clues about which poses you need to implement for strengthening.

12. Setu Bandha sarvangasana (bridge pose)

Pose type: backbend

The bridge pose is the first backend pose most people do. This pose is ideal to begin incorporating backbends into your practice because it improves your spine's mobility. You can also try a supported bridge pose with a block. If you have a neck injury, avoid the bridge pose.

Yoga classes: what to know before you go

First of all, is yoga for everyone? The short answer is yes. Whether you're fit or “out of shape”, young or older, there are yoga poses for almost everyone. To do yoga, you don't have to be flexible. Your yoga practice will need to be adjusted depending on your ability. For example, if you have ankle or knee problems, some poses will be more challenging.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you attend your first yoga class:

• Most yoga studios don't provide mats, but if you forget yours, they will probably have one you can borrow or rent.
• You don't have to invest in expensive clothing to do yoga. Just wear something that's loose, stretchy, and comfortable.
• Beginner and intermediate yoga classes last about 60 minutes, while classes for certain styles may take up to 90 minutes.
• Arrive at your first class early so you can ask questions or observe other classes.
• Be sure to bring a towel and water to drink.
• For two hours before class, avoid eating a full meal. You can enjoy healthy light snacks.

Reach your health goals with yoga

A yoga practice can add value to many different areas of your life. Evidation Members can track their healthy activities. Download the app to learn more.

The opportunities to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health are endless. Whether you’re looking to check in, refresh, or relax, these self-care tips are guaranteed to give your mood a boost! 

Self-care tips for your mind, spirit, and body

Self-care is a term that's easily defined: caring for yourself. Essentially, anything you do to prioritize your mental, physical, and spiritual health is self-care. However, while the term is easy to define, putting self-care into practice isn’t as easy as it sounds. 

The world we live in demands a lot of us. Equally, as humans, we tend to demand a lot of ourselves. We're driven to perform, and there's nothing wrong with being productive or ambitious. The problem is that we too often neglect self-care when it stands in the way of getting more things done. 

Knowing how to do self-care will have a profound effect on your overall well-being. Moreover, self-care helps you live a more balanced life. By practicing self-care, we're making an investment in our current and future selves, and we become more resilient and better able to confidently navigate life’s challenges.

1. Move your body

Taking care of our bodies is an important priority, but self-care physical exercise isn't about doing intense workouts. It's OK to take a break in the middle of your day to move your body with activities like stretching or a leisurely stroll around the block. When we take a half hour for ourselves to recharge and rejuvenate—whether in the morning, the middle of the day, or after work—we release tension and give ourselves some love in a way that doesn't require us to take a shower afterward.

By stretching and moving our bodies, we also promote flexibility and balance. Moving the body more often is an investment in our long-term health and well-being. The key to making body movement a consistent self-care practice is to find something that's easily accessible for you. Maybe this means taking the stairs instead of an elevator, or listening to your favorite podcast while you take a stroll instead of watching TV in the evening.

2. Disrupt your routine for a day

Have you ever found an unexpected pocket of time in the middle of a busy day? For example, maybe you were at work and your boss spontaneously told the entire office to leave an hour early. Or perhaps you had plans that fell through at the last minute, and your introverted soul secretly rejoiced because you suddenly recaptured a few hours of time for yourself.

These disruptions are usually a good thing, and it's in these unexpected moments that adventures often arise. There's no reason you can't plan in advance to disrupt your day. You could take an afternoon off and use that time to browse a bookstore or visit a museum. In other words, feed your spirit in a way that’s atypical. Just be sure you make your planned disruption all about giving yourself some self-care. It can be tempting to pack this new-found block of time with the tasks that are waiting for you, but this time is all for you to do something that feeds your spirit.

3. Unplug from technology

Without question, technology adds value to our lives. The internet, computers, smartphones, and TV make us more productive and efficient, and these tools give us a world of knowledge at our fingertips. Whether for learning, working, or enjoying some relaxing free time with a favorite show, most of us are connected in one way or another at all times. Specifically, a study conducted by Penn State showed that Americans spend more than 10 hours a day staring at screens. Unplugging from technology for a day (or half a day) is one of the easiest ways to practice self-care.

When we unplug, we start to pay attention to our thoughts again, and we become more present. We begin to notice the world around us, whether inside our homes or outside in nature.

Unplugging isn't just about stepping away from your computer screen. Consider putting your phone on "do not disturb" so that only the most important people can get through to you. Turn your smartphone upside down on your desk or bedside table so you're not distracted by notifications. Even better, leave it on your desk as you go explore your world.

4. Schedule a time for worrying (budget, planning, news)

Most of us tend to reactively deal with issues and worries as they arise. For example, when a news alert pops up in our notifications, maybe we stop what we're doing to read it. Or we spend varying portions of our day on planning. This can be creating to-do lists, clearing out our email inboxes, and budgeting.

Everyone has issues to worry about. These issues can include financial worries, personal challenges you're facing, or staying on top of current events. Creating a window of time—an hour or two every weekday—to devote to these concerns frees up the rest of your day for more positive things, and you have more time for self-care. In fact, setting up a designated period for dealing with issues that come up is a form of self-care.

5. Document your life journey

We’re all taking our own unique journeys through life, and your path is unlike that of anyone else in the world. Documenting your journey—whether through a bound journal, scrapbook, or blog—is a great way to practice self-care. Journaling helps us process our thoughts, getting them out of our heads and onto paper. However, reflection doesn't have to be done with pen and paper or even via a blog. You can create a video journal and share your thoughts with others online or keep them for yourself. 

Maintaining an ongoing gratitude journal is also helpful. Consider spending time in reflection at the end of every day, jotting down the things that you feel grateful for. Or sit down at the end of the week and list the happenings that have affected you in a positive way. 

Another idea is to get creative with documenting your journey. Creating a scrapbook of your life's milestones serves as a tangible reminder of the paths you've taken, and creating artwork that's meaningful to you serves the same purpose. 

6. Indulge in reading fiction

Is reading the latest novel by your favorite author one of your guilty pleasures? If so, you already know one of the best things to do for self-care. According to research, reading fiction can benefit your memory, creativity, and cognitive abilities. 

So go ahead and immerse yourself in an engrossing story and allow yourself a good dose of healthy escapism. Read a genre you already love or try something completely new, such as historical fiction, romance, or literary fiction. 

7. Spend time with animals

Cuddling a furry kitten or playing fetch with a rambunctious puppy can be good for your health. When you spend time with animals, you’re connecting to another living creature, and these are creatures that are non judgemental and love unconditionally.

If you have a pet already, this isn’t news to you. However, if you don't have pets of your own, consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. According to science, giving back feels good, and when you combine volunteering with spending time with vulnerable animals, it’s a winning combination. For example, these havens for homeless animals often need volunteers to help socialize kittens so that they’re adoptable. It’s nearly impossible to focus on your worries when you’re spending time with vulnerable animals. And who knows? You may fall in love with one of these loveable creatures and have a new best friend. 

8. Take a nap

As children, most of us dreaded being put down for a nap. However, as a grown adult with lots of responsibilities, a nap probably feels like a luxury you can’t afford. The fact is, naps are excellent for self-care, but it’s also a great investment into your productivity. The key to an effective nap is to keep it short. If you let yourself sleep too long, you may feel groggy when you wake up. 

Experts agree napping for 20-30 minutes is ideal for a quick recharge. Find a quiet spot without distractions, using earplugs or an eye mask if you find it hard to sleep during the daytime. If you have a hard time sleeping in the middle of the day, use your naptime to do some reading. Just the act of lying still in a bed is refreshing, even if you don’t go to sleep. 

‍9. Clean up what you take in

A great way to clean up what you take in is to embrace a cleaner diet. The food you eat has a significant impact on your mental health and could be a game changer in your energy and mental clarity. Local farmers' markets provide healthy, affordable produce options and meats for you to enjoy. 

In addition to eating cleaner, another way to practice self-care is to reduce your caffeine intake. While coffee has health benefits, you can reap the same benefits by drinking half-caff or decaf coffee. 

Cleaner eating is a great start to self-care through eating, but don't forget to treat yourself now and then. When you're rewarding yourself with a healthy treat—such as a couple of pieces of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate—it definitely falls into the pamper and self-care category. 

‍10. Get outside 

When the sun is out and the weather is warm, you have ample opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, a nearby park, or your own backyard. Spending time outside moving your body or just relaxing are great ways to get fresh air in your lungs and vitamin D into your system. 

Especially if you live in a region where frigid winters and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are common, time outside in the warmer months can bolster your immune system and mental health while lowering your stress levels. It’s also a great time to explore where you live, visit small businesses, find local hikes, or enjoy a day at the beach. 

11. Give your home a refresh 

It’s always a great time to clean, declutter, and maintain your home inside and out. Small details add up to big results here, so you don’t have to worry about major projects and remodels unless they’re timely, affordable, and needed. Clearing cobwebs from corners and molding, washing pillows and bedding, and rearranging your furniture can make any space feel new again. 

If you want to take things a step further, consider going through your belongings one room at a time to sort out any broken or donatable items. Removing things like expired food, old children’s toys, or clothes that no longer fit can leave you with extra storage or even more space to leave open and refreshed in your home. 

If you’re a homeowner who finds yourself constantly stressed about maintaining appliances and avoiding a home emergency, look into appliance warranties that provide timely repair or replacement of items like your fridge and garage door opener. Also available for your home’s HVAC systems, these warranties can mean the difference between a broken air conditioner on a hot day and an efficient cooling system providing your family with fresh, clean air. This can contribute to your peace of mind all year long. 

12. Check in with yourself 

Outside or in, spending some time alone with yourself can do you a lot of good. Consider setting aside some quiet time to meditate, pray, journal, or rest. These moments alone can help you get in touch with how you’re really feeling and where your mental health is at, away from opinion and outside influence.

Perhaps the most important part of spending time alone is making sure you’re actually alone. This means removing any access you have to tech devices and finding a spot where you’ll remain uninterrupted. The more you practice this routine, the more comfortable you’re going to feel. Over time, these intentional moments can help you with goal-setting, communicating with others, and feeling more at ease. 

13. Spend time in community with others 

This might seem contradictory to what we talked about in the last section, but it’s important that you balance your moments alone with time spent building relationships. Whether you’re with family or friends, or in a community of faith, healthy relationships with others carry a lot of benefits for your mental and emotional health. 

This is a great opportunity for those who experience social anxiety to practice their grounding techniques and create a safe, communicative environment with others. If you’re looking to keep busy or get creative, consider checking out your local YMCA or community center for cooking classes, weekly bingo, or recreational sports leagues. Other great community activities include volunteering together, having a picnic, or doing a paint ‘n’ sip evening. 

14. Give yourself a break from social media

Just like you have a home for your body, your body is your home. If you’re cleaning and decluttering your physical space, consider making some changes to what you put into your body as well. It’s always good to evaluate things like your food intake, screen time, and media exposure. 

We all know how easy it is to get lost in our phones these days. Between TikTok providing commitment-free bursts of entertainment and social media constantly jarring us with opinions, gossip, and unrealistic expectations, it’s important to log off and stay in touch with reality. 

It’s a simple truth; we can’t thrive off of knowing every minute detail of someone else’s life, especially if they’re a complete stranger. If you’re interested in cutting back, you’re not alone in the challenge it poses. Remember to start small, remove your phone or TV from one meal a day, commit to a device-free friend hangout, or—if you’re feeling brave—turn your phone off for an entire day of exciting activities. 

Now that you know how to do self-care, what's the next step?

Whether you’re adventuring, decluttering, relaxing or starting a new hobby, there are plenty of ways to find balance and give your mental health a boost. Don’t be afraid to make the most of it, and remember that caring for yourself means that you can be a better person for the important people in your life

Evidation Members can earn points for tracking self-care activities such as walking, sleeping, food intake, and more. Download our app today to learn more.

Nearly 1 in 5 US adults live with some form of mental illness. And the numbers are rising.

Mental illness is a common issue among Americans, but it’s something we can work on by practicing self-care all year round. And during the months of summer, there are a variety of self-care methods we can take part in to boost our mood while enjoying the warm weather.

In today’s article, we’ll be sharing 5 summer self-care tips to boost your mood and mind, all while embracing the sun. Keep reading to learn more. 

Get some sun

Many people struggle with what's known as seasonal depressive disorder (SAD). SAD relates to the change in seasons, many people experience symptoms in the fall and later in the winter months.

And most people affected by SAD live at latitudes far south and far north of the equator where there’s much less sunlight during the fall and winter months.

‍But why?

The reason for this could be that in the darker months of winter and fall people are exposed to less sunlight. The skin produces Vitamin D when it’s exposed to the sun, and Vitamin D can help increase serotonin activity.

‍What’s serotonin?

‍And what does serotonin have to do with our mood?

‍Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) that carries messages between your brain and throughout the body. It has several roles, including influencing our memory, learning, and happiness. 

‍Low levels of serotonin may cause depression.

Getting out in the sun may be a great way to not only get more Vitamin D, but it may also help increase the level of serotonin activity within us. Potentially improving our overall mood. 

While getting sun is important, it’s vital to protect yourself from getting a sunburn or heat stroke.

It’s best to protect your skin with sunscreen and reapply every so often throughout the day. Reflective clothing is another great way to keep your skin safe in the sun.

Keeping cool is also important, as spending long amounts of time exposed to the sun could result in heat stroke. Try taking breaks from the sun in the shade and do your best to not over-exert yourself. 

Exercise outdoors

In many places, one of the great things that summer has to offer is the ability to exercise outdoors.

‍Physical activity can:

• Help improve brain health - regular exercise may help improve cognitive function and sleep, and it may reduce depression and anxiety risk and overall improve our quality of life.
• Help manage weight - physical activity can help burn calories, build muscle, and decrease total body fat. This could result in better self-esteem and overall a more positive mood.
• Help improve our ability to do day-to-day tasks - when we improve our overall health, day-to-day tasks become easier. This can lead to a better quality of life and can greatly improve mood and well-being.

When compared to indoor activity, outdoor activity seems to have a greater impact on improving mental health. Studies suggest spending time in natural environments may have a positive impact on well-being.

The combination of mental health benefits from spending time outdoors as well as exercise is something worth taking advantage of.

So instead of going for a run at the gym, take a jog around your neighborhood. Or, try getting involved with some outdoor sports.

Relax outdoors

In one review of research, there’s evidence that spending time outdoors with nature can increase happiness and positive social interactions. It may even help bring a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives.

Combining your favorite way of relaxing with spending time outdoors might be an effective way to maximize your self-care this summer.

Different forms of relaxation may have different effects, but relaxation can help us:

• Reduce stress
• Improve sleep quality
• Improve mood and focus
• Reduce anger and frustration
• Reduce muscle tension and chronic pain 

So, what are some of the different ways we can relax outdoors?

It depends on what you like to do, but a few ideas might include:

• Yoga
• Reading
• Meditating
• Breathing techniques 

We encourage you to get outside and take some time to relax and unwind during the summer months!

Take some time off

The summer months are some of the best times to take a break from work.

Whether you decide to go on a vacation outside the country or enjoy the weather in your local area. It’s important to take time off to destress, and physically and mentally recharge.

Some benefits of taking a vacation from work might include:

• Lower stress
• Improved mental health
• Improvement in productivity

Overall, taking time off is important. And summer presents an opportunity for all of us to enjoy a break from work while embracing the warm weather.

Explore nature

As discussed earlier, spending time outdoors may help improve our well-being and happiness.

And exposure to sunlight could help increase the levels of serotonin in the body.

‍But how does exploring nature help?

Just as completing a workout can help us develop confidence, exploring nature may have the same effect. 

You can try taking on a difficult hiking trail, or exploring a new area while paddling. Spending time outdoors and conquering a challenging task can increase your confidence and overall self-belief. 

Closing thoughts - 5 Summer Self-Care Tips to Boost Your Mood 

With such a variety of options, summertime may be one of the best times to practice self-care and boost your mood. 

From getting your summer self-care essentials like sunscreen to relaxing outdoors by meditating or reading, there are many options when it comes to self-care in the summer.

And as more research comes to the forefront, we'll have a better understanding of how the sun and nature affect our moods.

Make sure to share this with a friend or family member who could use some self-care tips to boost their mood during the summer!