Stress-eating isn't always a bad thing -- especially if your comfort food of choice has heat. Eating something spicy tricks your body into thinking it's being exposed to a high temperature, triggering the release of endorphins, the hormones that make you feel naturally giddy. If it's a food with capsaicin, the chemical found in hot peppers, even better. Capsaicin has natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
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Listen to Sad Songs
You might think that wallowing in sad songs after a tough day would be the worst thing you could do for your self-care. But a weird thing happens when you listen to sad music, a study shows: You feel happier. Research indicates that sad music actually lifts your emotional wellbeing by inspiring feelings of nostalgia, wonder and peacefulness. Bummer tunes are also shown to inspire creative problem-solving.
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Read a Book
Love to unwind by losing yourself in a good book? Here's a crazy twist: If you're a bookworm, you'll probably live longer. People who read books more than three and a half hours a week live about two years longer than those who don't. Reading is also a powerful, fast relaxation tool; it takes just six minutes of reading to cut your stress level by 68 percent!
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Get on Your Feet
You knew an exercise tip was coming, and it's true: Working out is a fantastic self-care habit. But you don't need to do a hardcore fitness routine to reap mind-body benefits; just 20 to 30 minutes of walking per day can add seven years to your lifespan, and regular walkers have a lower risk of heart disease than runners. Walking also may boost self-esteem and ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
