25 ways to practice self-care | members only access

17. BECOME AN ACE AT BLACKJACK Research has shown that cards and board-game play can be a great way to keep your mind active and engaged. A 2019 study from the University of Edinburgh found

that seniors in their 70s who regularly played games like cards, chess or bingo stayed mentally sharp longer than those who didn’t. “Neuroscientists often talk about the brain being like a

muscle — you need to work out with it to keep it strong and healthy,” says Alicia Walf, a neuroscientist and senior lecturer of cognitive science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy,

N.Y., whose research includes work on cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. “The exact type of game is less important than is the individual’s engagement with it. So,

playing a new game that hits the ’sweet spot’ of being both fun and challenging is best,” Walf adds. 18. CLEAN AND DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE You might not immediately think of tidying as

self-care. But your physical environment can have a direct and immediate effect on your mental well-being. So, a day spent decluttering can provide a real boost to your mood. “We walk into

our homes, and our minds are busy with other things, so we start to ignore our physical space. But when we ignore our space, in a way, we’re actually ignoring our own self-care,” says Stacy

Scott, a feng shui coach who runs Sanctuary Feng Shui in Washington, D.C. By cleaning, “you’re putting love, attention and adoration back into your home” and, by extension, back into

yourself, Scott says. Start small: Clean off the pile of papers on the dining room table or discard the outdated condiments in the fridge. Don’t be surprised if the clutter-free spaces make

you feel less anxious and more energized.     19. FIND A SIGNATURE SCENT Scents can evoke powerful memories and affect our mood, just look to the growth of the billion-dollar aromatherapy

industry, which includes essential oils, candles, fragrances, body care products and even car air fresheners. “Scents have a powerful ability to affect our mood because there are direct

connections between the olfactory bulb and the limbic areas of the brain — such as the amygdala and hippocampus — which are associated with mood as well as emotional memories,” explains

Walf, who is currently engaged in research at Rensselaer on “mindful sniffing” as a tool for stress reduction. So, go ahead: Trek to the candle aisle and choose a few with scents you

associate with good feelings or fond memories. “Like other mindful practices, the biggest benefits of mindful sniffing are likely to occur when the practice happens daily, even if for

minutes at a time,” Walf says.   20. LAUGH MORE It’s difficult to feel bad when something’s just tickled your funny bone. Studies show laughing can reduce stress, boost mental health and

improve sleep quality. So, make it a priority to laugh more. Find the humorous in the day-to-day. And even if you’re not feeling the funny, make yourself laugh anyway. Cue up a cute animal

video on YouTube or tell a coworker a corny knock-knock joke. “Laugh three times a day to keep the bad vibes away. Simulate laughter in the beginning, middle and end of each day,” suggests

Melanin Bee, a laugh yoga instructor and CEO of laughter therapy company Holistically HEALarious LLC. “Inducing laughter to produce feel-good chemicals [endorphins] is even more important on

the days that are emotionally sad and difficult,” she says. 21. TURN YOUR SHOWER INTO A SPA Consider a simple step to take your requisite bathing time from blah to bliss: Hang eucalyptus in

your shower stall and let natural aromatherapy work its magic. You can pick up a bundle of the famously good-smelling greenery at your local florist, or order it directly from a supplier

like SelfCareShower.com. 22. FIND YOUR FAVORITE POEM Perhaps you’ve never been a poetry fan. But maybe this is the moment in your life to give the genre another look. Particularly if you’re

going through a sad or challenging life patch, poems can be a balm, says psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, M.D., author of the recent book _Poetry Rx: How Fifty Inspiring Poems Can Heal and

Bring Joy to Your Life_. “A poem can connect with a reader in many ways that offer comfort, relief, joy and inspiration,” Rosenthal says. “A poem can also suggest strategies for dealing with

life’s difficulties.” 23. BUY A NEW PAIR OF SHOES A 2018 study in the _Journal of Foot and Ankle Research_ found that between 63 percent and 72 percent of participants were wearing shoes

that did not properly fit either the width or length of their feet. Trotting about town in poorly fitting footwear can lead to a range of foot issues, from corns and calluses to bunions and

hammertoes. If you’re suffering from foot, leg, knee or ankle pain, you might be wearing the wrong shoes. Treat yourself to a proper shoe fitting by a trained professional — often, dedicated

running shoe stores will have one on staff. Alternatively, try a ready-made shoe insert for additional cushioning, or seek out custom orthotics through a podiatrist’s office. When your feet

feel good, your whole body will feel better. 24. TAKE MORE STEPS Now that you’ve got comfortable shoes, up your daily step count. A 2020 study by the American College of Cardiology

suggested that a person could potentially lower their systolic blood pressure by 0.45 points for every 1,000 steps taken daily. A study in _Arthritis Care & Research_ reported that

walking 6,000 steps a day may be enough to prevent functional mobility issues in those with or at risk of osteoarthritis of the knee. Meanwhile, earlier research found a daily walking habit

can significantly reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The point is clear: Get out and get moving. It’ll do you good. Set a goal of getting in a specific number of steps each day,

whether that’s 3,000, 6,000, or 10,000. Use the pedometer on your wrist fitness tracker or your smartphone to help measure your progress, and enlist a friend to be an “accountability buddy”

to keep you motivated as you walk. 25. DO A GOOD DEED Performing certain acts of kindness can be good for your health. Research has shown time and again that acts of charity and altruism

benefit the giver, both emotionally and physically. And the more direct and connected, the better, such as helping someone carry groceries or lending a hand on a project.  “Don’t just think

of how others can serve you, but consider how you can serve others,” says Stephen G. Post, professor and director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at

Stony Brook University in New York and author of _Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving_. “Do something that floats

your boat and that uses your talents,” Post suggests. Ask if you can help restock books or read to young children at your local library. Volunteer to tutor an adult who is learning English,

serve meals at a local soup kitchen, or help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Through altruistic outreach, Post adds, “older adults [can] feel renewed purpose, regained meaning and

hope.”