Having clean, organized surroundings reduces stress, boosts energy, keeps cold and flu germs at bay, and may even make you more likely to eat healthier and exercise more. Not to mention, housework can be great exercise!
If you’re not using sunblock every day, even in winter, you’ll regret it 20 years from now. With skin cancer rates on the rise, it’s your best defense against almost any type of skin cancer (especially melanoma – the deadliest variety). Plus preventing sun damage keeps your skin looking younger longer.
The micronutrients in dark chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain and guard brain cells against free-radical damage. Essentially, eating dark chocolate brings more oxygen to your brain, and oxygen is your brain’s caffeine!
A hug a day could keep the doctor away. Researchers think this is because hugging increases oxytocin. This “bonding hormone” sets off a chain reaction of stress-reducing chemical changes in your body that helps protect you from getting sick.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a massage can relieve digestive disorders, insomnia, migraines, joint pain and many types of chronic or injury-related pain. It’s also one of the best stress relievers ever.
Studies from around the world, and as far back as the 1980s, show that spending time in nature boosts your immune system, lowers blood pressure, increases focus and patience, decreases depression and anxiety symptoms, and may even help you recover faster from surgery.
One-on-one time with you makes your kids feel loved and appreciated. It deepens your bond with them, and allows you to more fully enjoy the parenting journey. You might even find that they’re more well-behaved. (What parent doesn’t want more of that, right?)
Gently washing away the dirt, oil and debris from your face every night is one of the first and most important steps toward controlling acne and other skin problems. It also helps keep your skin looking younger longer. So don’t skip it!
Aside from keeping your smile gorgeous, regular dental care may also reduce your risk of heart disease and prevent infection in other parts of the body. Plus it may help keep your memory sharp and your blood sugar stable.
Regular wellness checkups – including dermatology – help your doctor detect early warning signs of serious health problems so they can be treated early – before they become harder to manage, more expensive to treat and more life-threatening.
Appreciation means the world to your partner – and your relationship. Feeling and expressing gratitude toward your partner can make both of you happier and more likely to stay in the relationship.
Superfoods are nature’s superheroes. They pack a mighty nutritional punch! They ward off all kinds of diseases (including cancer and heart disease), strengthen your immune system, protect your cells from damage and inflammation, improve your digestion and help regulate your metabolism.
Gardening reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It also reduces your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Plant some superfoods to add more bang to your gardening buck. The fruits (and vegetables) of your labor will motivate you to eat healthier!
Houseplants are nature’s air purifiers. They reduce pollutants and airborne dust in your home, increase humidity and remove carbon dioxide. Plus different types of houseplants have surprising mental and physical health benefits.
A quick 15-minute walk can boost your creativity and energy levels for several hours.
The benefits of family dinners for kids have been known for generations, but it turns out they’re great for parents, too. Studies show that regular family dinners help dads hit the drive thru less often and help moms manage their carb cravings.
Flu shots are hands-down your best defense against the flu. Even if you get a post-flu-shot case of the flu, it probably won’t pack as much of wallop. Make sure you’re up to date on any other vaccines you might need, too. This protects you and anyone in your life who’s too young or too sick to get vaccinated.
An organized closet erases most of your “what to wear” stress and sets the tone for a less stressful day. Giving away clothes and shoes to someone who needs them and will enjoy them – that just feels really good.
While you’re cleaning your closet, hang on to (or make an investment in) a few quality, timeless, versatile separates that you can mix and match a bunch of different ways. You may even want to perfect your own signature “work uniform.”
You’re probably ready to kick off your shoes after a long day anyway, right? This easy little habit keeps environmental toxins, germs, dirt, allergens and dust from entering your home where they can linger, settle into your carpet and rugs, and make you sick.
