Taking Care of Yourself
Written by AARP.org
Here are some ways to take care of yourself every day:
- Get enough physical activity
Physical activity is an excellent stress-buster and provides other health benefits as well. It also can improve your mood and self image. Try to accumulate 30 minutes of physical activity a day through walking, yoga, dancing, housework, yard work or recreational sports (tennis, volleyball, squash). People who regularly engage in physical activity tend to eat more nutritious food which also can help the body better manage stress.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Treat yourself properly with adequate sleep and nutritious food.
- Share your feelings
Talk to someone you trust – a friend, member of the family or clergy, or mental health professional – about what’s bothering you.
- Focus on the present
Don’t waste energy worrying about the past. Keep your mind positively set on the present and future.
- Laugh
Try finding humor in a situation. Humor is a powerful antidote to stress. It can be a great way to relieve tension and could be as easy as renting a funny video and watching it at home.
- Problems sleeping
Can’t get any shut eye? It’s easy to deprive yourself of sleep, especially if stress has you up worrying at night, waking up too early in the morning or waking up feeling tired. You need sound and adequate rest to handle stress.
Try these tips to overcome sleep problems:
Myth: People need less sleep as they get older.
Fact: As people age, they don’t need less sleep, but they often get less sleep. The average person still needs about eight hours per night.
- Wake up at the same time every day.
- Avoid caffeine four to six hours before bedtime and cut down during the day.
- Avoid nicotine, especially near bedtime and if you wake up during the night.
- Don’t drink alcohol late in the evening.
- Don’t consume heavy meals close to bedtime. However, a light snack might help you fall asleep.
- Exercise in the late afternoon to deepen sleep. Vigorous exercise within three to four hours of bedtime could inhibit sleep.
- Minimize noise, light and excessive temperature at bedtime.
- Move the alarm clock away from the bed if it’s a source of distraction.
- Wake up at the same time every day.
(Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
If none of these techniques help and you have trouble sleeping for three weeks, see a doctor about possible medical or psychiatric problems.
Used with permission, 2001, AARP content
Tags: AARP.org, fitness, health, LIFE, Men, Women
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