This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.
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13 Realistic Self-Care Tips That Will Keep You Calm In Stressful Times

Yes, binge-watching TV totally counts.
Standing on beach, sea surf.
By Jeremy Tan via Getty Images
Standing on beach, sea surf.

Sometimes you just need to put yourself first.

It’s no shock that stress is on the rise, whether you experience it at work or home or just watching the news of the day. And it can have dangerous health consequences if left unchecked. That’s where self-care techniques come in.

However, some self-care activities are easier or more accessible than others. Timeless advice like “learn meditation” or “practice deep breathing” is certainly useful, and the health benefits speak for themselves. But sometimes a good book or a bad TV show can also be the perfect way to take a break.

That’s why we asked HuffPost editors how they steal a little self-care time, whether it’s a science-backed trick or just a mindless habit that helps them take a breather. Check out their advice below:

1. Squeeze in a morning workout.

“I have found that the only way I can fit workouts into my day is early in the morning ― before the rest of my family wakes up. It’s a tiny fraction of my day I can make just about me, without email or other distractions. It means going to bed earlier than I used to, but I feel 100 percent better on days when I can get to it.” ― Kate Palmer, Editorial Director, Lifestyle

2. Tune into a show from across the pond.

“I watch British police procedurals like ‘Happy Valley’ or ‘Marcella’ ― nothing like a dastardly serial killer, a cold gray farmscape and a female antihero detective who is constantly drinking tea to make all my problems melt away.” ― Meredith Melnick, Executive Editor, Health & Science

3. Or watch some mind-numbing reality TV.