Cleaning and organizing can help distract you from stress and give you a sense of control over one part of your life. Set a timer for 10-30 minutes to organize and dust off one part of your room or house. Cleaning is something that most people put off, so you will feel accomplished and proud of yourself if you set aside a few minutes to clean that neglected area in your room. Most people hate cleaning, so even just doing the laundry that has been stuffed under your bed for a month can make you feel better.

A change in scenery might be exactly what you need to feel more relaxed. A few great ways to achieve this include going for a walk, run or hike. There are many beautiful trails and nature preserves to explore locally, and it is proven that spending time in nature and releasing endorphins from exercise can reduce stress levels and increase happiness.

Yoga and meditation are great ways to center yourself and focus on your body and breathing. When searching for a relaxing yoga class, look for a class called restorative or yin yoga that incorporates simple poses and meditation. There are also many online yoga and guided meditation websites that allow you to do yoga in the comfort of your home.

Since most entertainment nowadays is concentrated online, people forget the value of a good book. Reading is a relaxing activity that can transport your brain into a different world. If you do not want to invest the time in reading a book, read a short story or magazine to give yourself a break. Even if you just look at a picture book, that still counts for something!

Painting,  drawing and sculpting are relaxing ways to make something beautiful and alleviate stress. Therapeutic coloring books are available for purchase at bookstores or art centers. Coloring books have become very popular in recent years for the calming effect they have on the mind. Don’t worry if you’re terrible at art! All you have to do is color inside the lines.

Laughter is the best way to take yourself away from your troubles. Watch an uplifting comedy show that will make you smile and laugh. Some of the most popular shows are New Girl, Friends, Seinfeld, Parks and Recreation, The Office and Modern Family. There are many other shows you can browse on Netflix or on your TV.  Nothing like some stupid Schmidt humor to brighten your day!

Cooking and baking can be therapeutic activities that result in a delicious meal or snack. They can help take your mind off the challenges of everyday life and allow you to create something beautiful. Making a huge mess that someone else has to clean up will definitely boost your mood!

The best way to practice self-care is to give yourself a confidence boost. Try and find things you love about yourself and say them out loud. Over time, you will start to believe them and become more comfortable and happy with yourself.

When life gets people down, it is easy to lose perspective and get wrapped up in the negativity. Try putting aside 15 minutes to write in a diary or a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is specifically meant for writing down everything you are grateful for or things that make you happy. Remember, you do not need a journal with sparkles and a little lock and key to write down your feelings (although sparkles never hurt).