Self-care is a buzzword that comes up a lot in the emotional and mental health spheres. More than just a wellness term, self-care is often a key component to any activity that helps you make your body feel better. Think of self-care for atopic dermatitis like alternative remedies that help lessen your need for medication in the long run.

What Is Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopica dermatitis (eczema) is a skin condition that causes dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. It is very common in young children, but it can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that can flare up occasionally, causing red, irritated areas on the skin. Although it is irritating, atopic dermatitis is not contagious. Moisturizing regularly and following an anti-inflammatory diet, among other things, can help reduce the risk of flare-ups and irritation. Continue reading to learn more about some science-backed self-care tips of atopic dermatitis. 

Moisturize Twice A Day

Dermatologists encourage people with atopic dermatitis to moisturize within three to five minutes after a bath or shower. The reason for this is because the moisturizer helps to lock in moisture when the skin is still slightly damp. That creates a protective barrier and allows your skin to heal. Not all moisturizers are beneficial, with some being better than others for eczema-prone skin. Choose a moisturizer that is dye- and fragrance-free, and consider a skin barrier cream, which contains lipids and ceramides, both of which are present in a healthy skin barrier. Moisturizers that feel “greasy” are usually the most effective at protecting the skin.

Take Shorter, Cooler Showers

You don’t have to think about conserving water just because you have atopic dermatitis. That said, dry skin (a common trigger of atopic dermatitis) is commonly caused by hot water, especially if you are in it for a long time. When you shower in cool or warm water (not hot), the water is less likely to dry out your skin. Another tip is to limit the time you spend in a bath or shower to about five to 10 minutes maximum. Too much time in the water can irritate the skin. If you have a flare-up, a lukewarm oatmeal bath will help soothe the skin.

Try An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Inflammation is a healthy response to injury or infection, helping to heal the body. In people with atopic dermatitis, the immune system remains triggered, even when there is no infection or injury. That excess inflammation is a contributing factor to atopic dermatitis. The foods you eat can either help or harm inflammation levels, regardless of overall health. Dietary strategies, such as adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, may help relieve symptoms. It isn’t a specific diet; rather, it is an eating pattern that focuses on more foods that help reduce inflammatory markers in the body. Click here to learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet. 

Use Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleansers

Certain hand soaps, dish soaps, and face or body washes, especially those with fragrances. Soaps can remove the natural oils on the skin, and damage it as well. Mild, fragrance-free soaps or cleansers are the best for sensitive skin, or for people with atopic dermatitis. Try experimenting with non-soap cleansers that do not contain dyes, fragrances, sulfates, or alcohol, all of which can increase the risk of flare-ups. 

Find Ways To Reduce Stress

Stress affects many aspects of your health, and is a common trigger for atopic dermatitis symptoms. Finding effective ways to manage stress can not only benefit your mental health, but also your atopic dermatitis. Mindfulness is a great technique to help manage stress, as it helps you focus on the present moment. There’s no sense in worrying about the past or future when you can only control the present. Scientific studies have proven that practicing mindfulness regularly can reduce atopic dermatitis flare-ups. Along with lowering stress, mindfulness can help reduce itch perception, which triggers the urge to scratch. Meditation, journaling, and yoga are three great ways to practice mindfulness. 

Exercise is another great way to ease stress, but it isn’t advised for everyone with atopic dermatitis. Too much heat and sweat can increase itching and inflammation. Some helpful ways to exercise with atopic dermatitis include:

• Wearing loose, cotton clothes, which are less irritating than moisture-wicking fabrics
• Choosing activities that elevate your heart rate without making you sweat as much, such as Pilates
• Moisturizing your skin before and after your workout, and showering in lukewarm or cool water after a workout
• Making sure to hydrate with plenty of water during exercise to keep the body and skin hydrated
• Doing workouts indoors in climate-controlled environments so as not to heat up too much

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You cannot go through life without encountering difficult times. Whether those times are bad days or bad years is undetermined, but you have the power to control how you cope and recover. When you have specific self-care strategies in place to help you get through tough times, anything is possible. This article aims to provide you with those strategies, which work to help you relax, reduce stress, and feel better about yourself. 

Why Is Self-Care Important?

Self-care is not the same as being selfish. Ultimately, self-care is about being responsible for the choices you make about your life and health. Taking care of yourself can make you more conscious about small things that bring harmony and balance to your life. Self-care is not complex, so don’t over-complicate it. Use the following suggestions to move through life when things get tough, and you may feel more empowered and in control when you do so. 

Cue Some Inspiration

Laughter is often the best medicine if you start to feel your feelings. According to research, laughter can boost your mood, lessen physical pain, and protect you from the effects of stress. In fact, laughter can help bring you back to normal, balancing your mind and body. If you need a good chuckle, cue up a comedic podcast, audiobook, movie, or TV show that you know will elevate your spirits. Alternatively, you may benefit from positive affirmation, so consider a motivational, inspiring podcast, video, or even saved recording to reshape your mindset. 

Talk To A Friend

Talking to someone, especially a friend who understands you and your struggles, is the easiest thing to do. Reach out to someone, be it a close friend or family member you can trust, and open up to them. A great heart-to-heart conversation can make all the difference, especially if you know that someone cares about you. 

Take A Walk In Outside

If you are feeling down, a walk in a park, along the beach, or in the woods can help reset your mind. Studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress and boost your mood. Not only does a walk in nature benefit your mental health, but it also boosts your physical activity. Walking, jogging, biking, or swimming in nature can help you clear your mind, de-stress, and rebalance your mind and body. 

Ground Yourself

In addition to spending time outdoors, it can be beneficial to connect your body to the earth via grounding. Also known as earthing, grounding is the act of putting your skin in direct contact with the earth’s surface. This allows you to absorb the earth’s electricity, which can charge you with positive energy. Some research indicates that grounding has profound anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. If you have the ability, go for a barefoot walk on the beach for 20-30 minutes, or walk barefoot in a local park. 

Feed Your Emotions

To be clear, this tip is not about supporting emotional eating, nor is it about letting your emotions get the better of you. On difficult days, head to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and get some fresh produce. Colorful fruits and vegetables carry beneficial nutrients that can help reduce inflammation, lower stress, and boost mental health. You can even go so far as to research a specific recipe before heading to buy food. That way, you can turn the produce you buy into a meal that comforts the soul. 

Treat Yourself To A Cafe Visit

A visit to a cafe for coffee or tea every day may not be financially responsible, especially if you are on a budget. If going to get a latte or a slice of cake with tea brings you joy, allow yourself that luxury if you need some self-love. For some people, the allure of a coffee shop is the smell of coffee brewing, the clicking of laptop keys, or the steam from a cappuccino maker. Maybe you enjoy a hipster coffee shop that plays smooth jazz. Whatever you like is what you like, and there is no sense in denying yourself that happiness if you encounter a difficult day.

Meditate

Whether you are frustrated, stuck, or just having a bad day, meditation can be highly beneficial. A lot of people find meditation to be the best course of action to overcome such circumstances. Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down and start your meditation session. You can follow your breath in silence, or you can practice guided meditation, which can help prevent your mind from wandering if that is something you struggle with. Meditation can help you regain perspective and put you in a better place to deal with your stressful day.

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Before you even know about practical habits that promote motivation every morning, you have to understand willpower and motivation itself. Motivation is what fuels your actions, e.g. the reason for pursuing a goal. Willpower is essentially a mental muscle that can help you resist easy short-term gratification. By resisting a simple pleasure like grabbing takeout instead of cooking at home, you stay committed to your goals. Consider the following in regards to motivation and willpower:

• Motivation can change: It is completely natural for motivation to ebb and flow. You may feel incredibly enthusiastic one day and low energy the next. Being able to recognize this change can help you manage expectations and maintain strategies to keep motivation alive. 
• Willpower is finite: Like any muscle, willpower can experience fatigue over the course of a day. When you set up habits to encourage motivation, make sure that you don’t solely rely on willpower, or else you will burn out. 
• Internal and external motivation: Internal motivation comes from personal values or passions, while external motivation can come from rewards, outside pressure, or recognition. By harnessing the power of internal motivation, you can help sustain your energy in the long-term. 

Set Clear And Achievable Goals For The Coming Day

A common reason for an unproductive day can be because you don’t have a plan in place. Without the right system to organize the tasks you need to accomplish, you may feel overwhelmed or unable to right the ship. The best thing to do is make a to-do list the night before or first thing when you wake up. By setting clear and achievable goals for the day, you can remain organized and motivated. If you already have a to-do list that is quite long, consider scaling down to one to three of your most important tasks. If you still feel overwhelmed, figure out what the first step is and create momentum to carry you through to your next task. 

Prepare The Night Before

If you want to be successful in the morning, prepare the night before. When you prepare for the coming day, you can help decrease decision fatigue, reduce stress, and begin your morning on a positive note. Preparing at night means you have less to do in the morning. If you can prepare any part of your daily tasks the night before, make that a habit. Consider the following ideas:

• Prepare your meals: Have a quick breakfast, such as overnight oats or chia pudding, ready to go. Have your leftovers or meal prep in a container, even if you work from home. 
• Plan your outfit: Choose your clothes and accessories the night before to eliminate the morning stress of figuring out what to wear. 
• Organize your space: Tidy up your workspace and living area a little bit because a clean environment can help you remain calm and keep you focused.
• Set up your tea or coffee: If you enjoy tea or coffee in the morning, prepare it the night before. This small habit means that you will have less to do in the morning. 

Create A Morning Routine

A routine that works for one person may be different for another person. Setting up a morning routine can be a powerful way to start your day and stick to your goals. If you can jump right into productivity, then you may not need a routine. If you need an extra boost to organize and boost productivity, consider including following ideas in your routine:

• Exercise: Whether you walk around the block or do some squats and push-ups, physical activity in the morning can release endorphins, which boost motivation and mood. 
• Wake up early: Waking up early usually means that you have to go to bed earlier if you want to get enough sleep. Having extra time for self-care in the morning can change the way you approach your day, though. 
• Journal: Journaling is an easy practice to help you release your thoughts and feelings. You can express gratitude, set intentions, or just vomit words to let out some steam. 
• Mindfulness: If you want to clear your mind and set positive intentions for the day, spend a few minutes practicing meditation or mindfulness. Five to 10 minutes is perfectly sufficient!
• Eat a healthy breakfast: Finish your morning routine with a nutritious breakfast that contains protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Such a breakfast will help kickstart your metabolism, give you energy, and keep you full until lunch. 

Establish A Consistent Sleep Schedule

A solid foundation for morning motivation begins the night before. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, i.e. waking up and going to bed at the same time, helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. Sleeping for seven to eight hours a night can help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day. To maintain a consistent sleep schedule: 

• Limit screen time before bed: Blue light from screens can disrupt the body’s production of melatonin. Avoid screens at least one to two hours before bedtime. 
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Start practicing calming activities, such as reading, meditation, or stretching, to help wind down before bed. 
• Set a bedtime: Ideally, you go to sleep and wake up at the same time nearly every day. Make sure that your bedtime allows for seven to nine hours of sleep and stick to that schedule, even on the weekends, in order to help reinforce your body’s sleep/wake cycle.

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Winter can seem like a very romantic time because something about cozying up seems romantic. There are various activities that seem to exclude single people, and there’s no fun in seeing everyone couple up. You don’t have to let couples enjoy an entire season while you sit it out and let your emotions get the better of you.

Regardless of your relationship status, you should always date yourself. That can mean different things for different people, but the general gist is enjoying alone time and treating yourself right. You don’t need to rely on anyone else during this alone time, which can often help relieve stress. There’s nothing like the winter season to start dating yourself. Continue reading to learn where to begin.

Go Ice Skating

As a quick note: don’t go ice skating on a questionable lake by yourself in the middle of nowhere. Ice skating at a holiday rink or on a public frozen pond can seem like a winter date idea, but it isn’t just an activity for couples. Going alone can be just as fun and you don’t have to worry about your skill level, so there is less pressure to “be good.” No need to impress anyone, so bundle up and head to the skating rink, get out on the ice, get in some exercise, and enjoy a hot beverage when you’re done. 

Take Yourself To A Show

You don’t have to spend your night in the house just because it’s cold outside. You can enjoy a night indoors and leave your house, too! Take yourself to a concert, show, comedy show, or movie. You can enjoy it with a friend or date, but there are many perks to attending shows alone. You don’t have to worry about abandoning anyone or worrying whether the person is enjoying it or not.

Teach Yourself Something New

One of the best ways to occupy your time and engage your brain is to learn something new. Consider learning a new language with an app or sign up for a drawing or pottery class. You can also take the time to learn a new instrument. There are so many informational tutorials for beginners and experts alike. You can teach yourself via these online videos or courses. The great thing about learning a new skill is that you might learn something new about yourself in the process!

Have A Nostalgia Night

Do you remember the days of living room forts and staying up all night watching TV or playing games? Adulthood doesn’t mean that you have to give up on those nights! Keep your memories alive and make new ones by building a cozy adult fort with pillows and blankets. Spend the night revisiting old TV shows and movies you love. If you have a record player and vinyl records, have a night where you enjoy a glass or two of wine and just listen to your favorite records from front to back. Make some snacks or go out and buy a few favorites from your youth. The possibilities on a nostalgia night are endless!

Cook A Fancy Dinner

This doesn’t just have to be a wintertime activity because you deserve a fancy dinner whenever you want one. Most fancy dinners are labor intensive, so you may not want to go through the effort all the time. That said, consider taking yourself out to dinner if you don’t have the right ingredients or culinary tools on hand. Preparing a quality meal from scratch, while it requires time, often delivers a great sense of accomplishment. Not only will you feel proud of yourself for pulling the dish off, but you’ll also make your taste buds happy.

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It’s no secret that a lot of people struggle to fall asleep, or stay asleep. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders. One in three adults do not get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need nightly to optimize their health.In 2022, only 32% of Americans reported very good or excellent sleep. 

If you have difficulty with sleep, be it falling asleep or staying asleep, you have to fix the problem. Easier said than done, right? Sleep is a fundamental part of your overall health and well-being, and insufficient sleep can negatively affect your health. That is why many sleep experts recommend establishing a healthy nighttime routine. Give yourself an hour or more to relax before you actually go to bed. Wrap up your tasks around eight o’clock at night and take time for yourself. 

In this post, we will detail some helpful tips that can calm the mind and body before bed. Take some quality “me time” at night because you can’t care for others if you don’t care for yourself. You don’t have to do everything on this list, but a lot of people find many portions of this routine very helpful.

Watch Your Favorite Show

There is a lot of evidence that indicates a problem with screen time before bed. Going from your computer, to the TV, and then to your phone as you get into bed is not what this tip is about. Most people have busy schedules, so allot one hour, or thereabouts, to watch an episode of whatever you are watching. That could be your favorite show or some funny YouTube videos. It is 100% acceptable to spend time on other things that work, chores, or schoolwork. You can easily get lost in your priorities, but don’t forget that your health is also a priority. Just make sure to turn off screens about an hour before bedtime. 

Plan Your Day

Not to add another item to your to-do list, but this can be a great thing to add to your nighttime self-care routine. Plan out your next day in order to get a better visual of what you need to do. Once you write your list, separate your hard priorities, soft priorities, and non-urgent tasks. Do you like to accomplish tasks in blocks of time? Place the priorities in your planner and choose time frames, during which you can complete them. Add your most difficult tasks to the start of your day because your brain will be fresh, so you can knock them out in a breeze. 

A Break Is Encouraged

It is perfectly acceptable to take a break. In fact, you deserve a break! You have probably been sucked into the work vortex, being pulled every which way to complete tasks with quick turn-around deadlines. When you have a moment to yourself, taking a break to rest can feel unproductive, but this relaxation time is often necessary for your overall health. After a long day of racing around town or a stressful day in the office, put yourself first in the evening. Your self-care nighttime routine is the break you deserve.

Hone Your Skin Care Routine

It’s easy to just skip your skin care routine after a long day. The energy levels are low and the effort to care for your skin just isn’t there. Don’t be that person! Your skin needs love, too! Going through your nightly skin care routine can help prevent breakouts, which can often result from stress, overeating, or lack of skin cleansing. This routine doesn’t have to be a 15-step process, just so you know. You can use a simple cleanser, moisturizer, and eye cream as your primary products. Just make sure they are high quality and as natural as can be. 

Read A Good Book

A lot of people want to read, but they can’t find the time. Reading in the morning is not feasible and you definitely don’t want to read during your lunch break. Why not incorporate reading into your nighttime self-care routine? Reading can help you unwind and may even help lull you to sleep after a solid 30-40 minutes. This is a great thing to do in place of watching TV right before bed. If reading an actual book proves difficult, consider listening to an audiobook. This is a great option, but just make sure you aren’t playing games on your phone while you listen to the book. Lie in bed and let the writing take you places. 

Tidy Up Just A Little

A 10-minute tidy-up can go a long way in relaxing your mind before bed. You don’t have to worry about a cluttered room or mess if you spend a small amount of time cleaning up at night. Nobody wants to wake up to a sink full of dishes or a pile of clothes that you didn’t put away. Waking up to a task like this can bring your mood down in the morning because it makes it seem like you have more things to do than there really are. Don’t let yourself start out in a slump! Set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes and clean up as much as you can during this time. A huge mess can seem intimidating, but you’ll be surprised to see how much you can tackle in just 10 minutes!

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A lot of people think that engaging in mindfulness practices is all about achieving a state of immediate zen. There is no reason to think that way! In fact, thinking that you’ll achieve nirvana after five minutes in silence will only cause you more stress. It will also deter you from wanting to engage in mindfulness practices. The reality is that you can meditate, journal, or engage in breath work every single day. 

You don’t have to carve out an hour out of your day to practice mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness is literally the art of taking each moment as it comes. Perhaps you have a goal to be more present, slow down, or reduce stress. Fit the following mindfulness practices into your day to help feel more balanced. A calmer, more present awareness is just a few minutes away. Continue reading to learn how to do these practices.

Breath Work

Going through a stressful time? You may notice that your breathing has been compromised. Stress causes your breath to be more shallow, which creates more stress. When you are calm, your breathing involves deep belly breaths. You don’t even have to think about your breathing because of how natural it feels. Practicing diaphragmatic breathing can teach your body to cultivate relaxed breaths. You can even do it in traffic!

• Find a comfortable area to sit up straight or lie flat on your back. Make sure you are fully supported and not fidgeting. 
• Place both of your hands below your ribcage. As you inhale, inflate your belly so that your hands rise. Keep your chest still and in a neutral position.
• As you exhale, engage your abdominals to get all of the air out of your belly as it collapses. 
• Continue this breath work for three to five minutes.

Meditation

Meditation is intimidating if you don’t know where to start. You cannot meditate wrong, which is the first thing you need to know. You don’t have to light candles or incense, have 120 pillows, or play tranquil music in a designated space. Meditation is truly about setting aside time to be with yourself, and the mental and physical benefits are wonderful. This practice has been proven to improve self-love and kindness towards others. 

• Find a comfortable meditation position, be it sitting up straight or lying down. You can even sit back in your recliner chair!
• Close your eyes if you want and direct all of your attention to the present moment. Do your best to set distractions to the side, but welcome random thoughts. Let them wash in and out like waves on the sand. 
• For every inhale, you can say to yourself, “I am,” and finish the statement on each exhale with, “here now.” Continue this practice for five to 10 minutes. You can also practice guided meditation if that is easier. 

Positive Self-Talk

Some things are completely out of your control, but you can control the way you speak to yourself. According to studies, talking to yourself in a positive way can help reduce anxiety. Researchers proved that talking to yourself in the third person aids emotional regulation. You can be hard on yourself, but don’t talk about yourself negatively.

• Memorize a few affirmations that can benefit you during stressful times: I am balanced and centered. I release what I cannot control. I choose to be at peace. 
• When you find a free mental moment, repeat these affirmations to yourself. 
• You can elevate this practice by writing the affirmations down and placing them throughout your home. 

Visualization

If you overthink things, visualization is the perfect practice for you. This practice uses the power of your mind for positive change. The mind does not know the difference between what you imagine and what’s real. Through visualization, you can teach your brain how to approach future situations before they happen. 

• Find a quiet place to sit or lie down and close your eyes. 
• Think about an upcoming event that you’re either dreading or stressed about. 
• Imagine the best case scenario or outcome at this event. How do you feel about it and how do you want it to unfold? Use your imagination to make it real.
• Run into a negative situation during this visualization? Simply start over and repeat the scenario until it goes the way you want it to go.

Journal

This practice doesn’t have to result in an incredible novel or short story; rather, journaling is a practice to empty your thoughts onto the page. There are many things that easily trigger stress, but you aren’t doing yourself any favors if you continue to hold onto those feelings. Writing about events can make you emotionally stronger and less upset, so vomit those words onto the page without any direction!

• Set aside some time to journal without any interruptions. Play music or light a candle if this helps set the scene. 
• Let your pen do the work and don’t worry about proper grammar. Just let your pen flow!

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Self-care is exactly what it sounds like: taking care of yourself. That can mean different things for different people. In general, self-care involves carving out a chunk of time, or even a day, to treat yourself properly. Take baths, pamper yourself, engage in meditation, treat your body right, or do any activity that relieves stress and makes you feel great. Practicing self-care can help improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Why Is Self-Care Important?

Self-care is more than just a buzz term circling health and beauty websites. The average person spends so much time working long hours and caring for others, and they often put themselves last. Putting others first is not a negative trait, but it does mean that you may not invest quality time in yourself. It is more than acceptable, encouraged even, to pay adequate attention to your mental and emotional health. Being mindful of your own needs is the ultimate act of self-love.

We invite you to take part in self-care Sunday, which is one day of the week that you take for yourself. Sunday is usually the day because Monday starts the work week, which can be stressful. You can practice on whichever day is your Sunday, just so long as you take the time to press the reset button and recharge. 

Spend Time In Bed

Don’t rush your Sunday morning wake-up. That said, sleep experts do encourage people to practice regular sleep/wake times to establish a healthy circadian rhythm. If you wake up, you don’t have to leave your bed right away. Open a book and spend a little extra time reading in bed. You can even exit the bed, make yourself breakfast, and enjoy breakfast in bed. 

Go For A Morning Walk

This may not be at the top of your self-care to-do list, but taking a quick morning walk is a great way to start the day. You get bonus points if you soak up some morning sunshine as that helps energize the mind and body. Walking is a great way to burn a few extra calories and can help you clear your mind. Take your relaxation up a notch by walking in nature, as that has been proven to improve mood, focus, and creativity.’

Spa Day At Home

Take your self-care Sunday to the next level with an at-home luxury spa day experience. Pamper yourself and let your stress melt away in a warm bath, to which you add relaxing essential oils. Consider putting on light music and dimming the lights. You can also apply a face mask, enjoy some light snacks, and even a glass of wine. Most importantly, mute your phone, relax, and enjoy your day off. You may even find some great at-home spa kits online!

Journal It Out

Journaling is a powerful self-care tool. It helps you clear your mind and release any tension, anger, or frustration within. Journaling also helps you observe your feelings, checking in with your negative emotions and bad experiences. After letting it out on the page, make sure to follow it up with some notes of gratitude, as that helps infuse your mind with joy and happiness. 

Meal Prep

Doesn’t meal prepping take up quite a bit of your time and energy? Although that is one way to look at it, another way to look at meal prepping is that you are caring for your future self. It is very easy to spend hours on social media or binge-watching a show. Make more use of your time by being productive. Stay away from things that drain your energy or harm your mood/self-confidence. Choose a couple meals to prepare so that you have less work to do when it comes time to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner during the week. 

Meditate

For beginners, meditation can be very challenging, but that’s perfectly acceptable. Meditation is a useful tool to benefit your emotional and mental health. It works to alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and get rid of negative self-talk. If you find that traditional silent meditation is very difficult, consider experimenting with guided meditation. This can also be a useful practice to do before bed, as it can help relax the mind and improve sleep. 

Social Media Detox

Social media can be very time-consuming and you can spend hours scrolling without any real purpose. Just think: do you need to spend 45 minutes sitting on the toilet? Social media sucks you in and most platforms can be quite toxic. On your self-care day, stay away from anything that can drain your energy or harm your mood. You might find that leaving social media alone for one day a week gives you a better outlook on life.

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First of all, we just want to explain that there is nothing wrong with celebrating Thanksgiving by yourself. Although it may be unfamiliar territory, considering that this holiday is traditionally spent with family and friends, you may find yourself alone this year or in the future. There are also those who do not enjoy the Thanksgiving meal and simply want to enjoy a night alone. Whichever way you choose to celebrate Thanksgiving is the right way, but should you be alone on this holiday, we have a few fun activities for you. 

Whether it is by choice or an unlucky circumstance, being alone on Thanksgiving can be a challenge. You may lack the funds to celebrate it, or you may live in a city with no family or friends, and travel may be difficult due to budget restrictions or weather. You can spend Thanksgiving by yourself without feeling lonely or bored. Continue reading to learn how you can do just that. 

Cook Your Favorite Food

You don’t have to cook a turkey and stuffing just because it is Thanksgiving. When you celebrate this holiday alone, you have the freedom to take the reins in the kitchen and cook what your heart desires. Make enough for yourself and yourself alone, or make a little extra if you want to have some leftovers. Throw on a record or pop in your headphones to listen to a podcast while you are doing your thing in the kitchen. When the meal is ready, you will be too, and that’s a beautiful thing. If you don’t feel like cooking, simply order takeout!

Catch Up On Your Favorite Shows

Is the movie you never got to see in theaters finally available on a streaming platform? Have you been meaning to catch up on episodes for a series that you enjoy? Entertain yourself with a good binge-watching session! You have the time on this holiday, so use it how you please. If you finish a couple episodes and want to put something else on, consider a classic or modern holiday-inspired movie that you can easily find on streaming platforms. 

Watch Some Football

If you don’t have a favorite show and are not interested in new movies, throw on the football games that happen every Thanksgiving. There is always a game airing on this holiday, and watching it by yourself means you won’t miss a moment. Nobody will be there to interrupt you and you don’t have to listen to negative comments from friends or family members who are not sports fans. You can even use social media to engage with other football fans watching the same game(s).

Give Back To Your Community

Doing something good for someone else, or a lot of people, is often one of the best things to do when celebrating Thanksgiving alone. Even though you may not be with friends or family, you can make a difference by bringing joy to the lives of others. Some people always have to spend Thanksgiving alone, so spending it with those in a worse situation than you may actually make your Thanksgiving that much more enjoyable and wholesome. 

Have A Self-Care Day

If you are alone and don’t have any obligations, spend the day pampering yourself! Self-care and relaxation should take priority on your Thanksgiving Day to-do list. Take this alone time to unwind in a soothing bath, or take an extra long facial skin care routine. You can even go so far as to put on a robe and place cucumbers over your eyelids! By the time the Thanksgiving weekend is over, you will feel recharged, well-rested, and ready to get back to your regular responsibilities. 

Do Some Shopping

If you have the financial means to do so, consider taking part in some retail therapy. Most companies offer Black Friday sales well before Thanksgiving begins, so you will definitely get some deals. Take the time to get a head start on buying holiday gifts for your loved ones, or get something that you’ve been desiring for a while. Splurge on yourself because you deserve it.

Curl Up With A Good Book

Earlier in the article, we suggested that you catch up on your favorite TV shows. If you want to do that, then do just that! If you don’t want to spend your day in front of a screen, consider starting or finishing a book. Books, much like TV or movies, can transport you to fantastical places, or provide excellent and inspiring stories. If the book you choose to read is really captivating, you may finish it in one day! 

Begin A New Tradition

No matter your reasons for spending Thanksgiving alone, you cannot be sure that you won’t spend it alone in the future. What does that mean for you? Well, come up with a new Thanksgiving tradition for yourself. Don’t wait for company in order to celebrate your way! Maybe your new tradition is to play solitaire when you get up, or to do a yoga sequence after breakfast. A great new tradition could be to make one new dish every year!

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It’s not always easy to be optimistic about everything in life. Depressing news stories, world events, global warming, low self-esteem, or self-doubt can lead to a pessimistic or negative way of thinking. If you tend to look at the glass half-empty, it can be difficult to just change your outlook on life from one day to the next.

If you know people who are overflowing with positivity, you may be able to learn a thing or two from them. Being around that type of energy is very contagious and it’ll most likely rub off on you. If you don’t have those types of people in your life, the following tips may help you maintain a more positive mindset. 

Find Your Reason

In order to become a more positive person, you have to find your reason. When you know why you want to be more positive, you can have more clarity on what you want out of life. What you need to do to cross that bridge into positivity can help you set meaningful goals. Once you find your sense of purpose or understand what you want to do in life, you actually boost self-confidence. That allows you to pursue things in a more focused manner and it adds more dimension to your life. If you’re struggling to find your reason, consider making a vision board and go from there!

Surround Yourself With Positive People

As we were saying earlier, the people you surround yourself with have a great influence on your mindset and behavior. If you want to be more positive, consider taking inventory of the people you have in your life. Are they constantly judging and spewing negativity? If they are, you may need to refresh your friend group and invite more positive people into your social circle. Positivity is infectious, and you may need to make the assertive move to set boundaries with the negative people in your life in order to protect yourself. 

Practice Daily Gratitude

If you want to be more positive, a great habit to develop is practicing daily gratitude. Take time every morning or evening to write down three to five things you’re grateful for. Many people find that doing it first thing in the morning helps set a more positive tone of rate day. You can also practice journaling for five minutes or so to write down why you’re grateful and how you want to be more positive. Just make sure to maintain consistency and always remind yourself to resolve conflicts before the day comes to a close.

Be Present Where Your Feet Are

What does this mean? When the going gets tough or you feel that you’re stretched too thin, being positive can seem impossible. In order to maintain a positive attitude in times like those, try your best to remind yourself to be present where you are. Instead of trying to juggle 12 different things without intention, focus on one thing at a time. That can help you assert control in your life and be more intentional with your time and energy. When you give 100% of yourself to the thing, task, or person who requires it, you will feel more accomplished and better about yourself. 

Develop A Positive Morning Routine

One of the best ways to be more positive is to set yourself up for success each day. That can mean different things for different people. Some people may benefit from hitting the gym, while others may benefit from journaling, meditating, or sitting down for a healthy breakfast with your partner. Developing a ritual every morning can help you be more deliberate with your time, which ultimately boosts productivity and helps encourage positivity.  

Prioritize Self-Care

If you want to maintain your mental and emotional health, you need to prioritize self-care. By caring for yourself, you can help manage stress and handle things in a more calm manner. According to several studies, engaging in regular self-care practices can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, and increase motivation and productivity. Schedule a little time each week to engage in self-care if you want to be a more positive person.

Take Accountability

The final tip for anyone who wants to be more positive is to take ownership over your own life. You, and only you, are responsible for your own happiness. Don’t wait for someone or something to magically make things better. Take accountability and put in the work. You are worth it!

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The beaches are filling up, the pools are open, and cookouts are aplenty. Your city may even put together outdoor summer concerts, or you may have a vacation lined up. If you have children, they may be in summer camps or looking forward to playdates and other summertime activities. All of that was exhausting to read, right? Now, imagine coordinating all of that and getting to every engagement!

There are internal and external pressures to make the most of your summer. Those factors may push you into overdrive during the seemingly “laid-back and chill” season. If going to the beach becomes a chore instead of a jovial experience, you are likely experiencing a burnout. The term “burnout” is a common workplace term because exhaustion from work is quite common. Work-related stress can also cause you to burnout, but this term is a bit more broad now. 

During the pandemic, many parents experienced burnouts. Monitoring scholastic Zoom sessions, keeping the children occupied and safe, and having to work and worry about the future did anything but relax parents. A 2022 report noted feelings or irritability, emotional detachment, and a general overwhelmed feeling as a parental burnout. The primary takeaway, according to mental health experts, is that a burnout tends to result from an over-stressed life. Physical, mental, and emotional elements can all cause exhaustion and varying emotions, but you can control them if you know what to do. 

Why Is Summer Causing A Burnout?

The summer burnout is real, according to psychologists. Why is that the case when summer is a traditionally a relaxing time of year? People enter summer with certain expectations, the most common of which is that it will be exciting, amazing, and incredibly fun. That mentality over-commits yourself to potential opportunities that come your way. That, in turn, causes you to feel overwhelmed and ambushed. The differing schedules, vacations, child pickups, and more are all moving parts that require mental energy. Not only that, but the schedules are very tiring and fill up your plate. 

If you feel burned out and want to enjoy the rest of your summer, consider the following tips to help you cope with a burnout. 

Embrace Flexibility

As a human, it is very natural to think in a very black and white way. For example, you either go to your friend’s barbecue or you don’t. In reality, there are many decisions you can make about certain events, or anything involving your participation. If your neighbor invites you over for a backyard cookout, go over for a drink and then head out. Part-time attendance is a beautiful thing, giving you all the perks of participating and enjoying down time as well. Always ask yourself what actions will serve you in the best way and go from there. Being flexible is a skill, and an amazing one at that!

Focus On One Thing At A Time

If you multitask your way through life, you tend to skip over crucial details. Some people look at multitasking as a way to fit everything in, but it can fuel inattention and an unproductive attitude. If you work at the pool or beach while trying to enjoy yourself and monitor your children, your full attention is not directed at any of the tasks. In order to prioritize one thing, you have to de-prioritize another thing. Splitting your focus is a surefire way to burn yourself out, but focusing on one thing at a time can help you take back control of your life. For example, put your phone down if you’re working and stop working if you want to enjoy family time. 

Create A Summer Value Statement

What do you want to embrace this summer? Do you want to learn more about yourself, or do you want to become more adept at anticipating the needs of others? A value statement can help you avoid a burnout because it outlines personal or family qualities to which you want to adhere. Whatever you value is the right answer! Think about the ways you behave this summer and see if your actions align with your value statement. When invitations or obligations arise, you can decide how you want to act according to your value statement. 

Check In With Yourself

It can occasionally feel like life is running away from you, but you can pivot, assess, and redirect your efforts to prevent that from happening. Psychologists encourage you to regularly check in with yourself to avoid disconnecting entirely. If you feel frazzled, take time to hit the pause button and ask yourself what you need. Do you need more rest and relaxation? Perhaps you need to spend less time operating around your kids’ schedules. Try to establish a regular practice of seeing what you need to make summer as enjoyable as possible. 

Schedule Time To Do Less

You most likely have a to-do list, but is “do less” on that list? If you are constantly on the move and feel stressed, give yourself permission to scale back. Try to list out everything that you have to do in the coming week, or month if you prefer a long-term view. Ask yourself what you can cut out, or what’s easiest to cut. Sometimes, you just need to watch some TV or read a book. Other times you may want to go for a run or head to the beach with friends. Don’t be afraid to do less because it is often a great remedy!

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