2018-04-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Vicks®

Whether you’re a young professional building a career, a busy parent maintaining a family schedule or a C-suite executive travelling the world, modern life can be extremely busy. With so many to-do’s, priorities can shift, and oftentimes self-care suffers.

To feel your best and reach your goals, you need to make sure you’re healthy and happy. Fortunately, self-care doesn’t require a big investment of time or money. Consider these five easy self-care ideas that take just minutes to do.

Catching Zzzs is key

A good day starts the night before by getting adequate rest, but nearly nine in 10 Americans (87%) say they experience trouble falling asleep; with two-thirds (67%) stating they have trouble falling asleep at least once a month and nearly half (47%) stating at least once a week. With nearly 2 in 5 Americans (37%) reporting they typically get less than the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended hours of sleep each night (7-8 hours), it’s not surprising that only 9% of Americans report that they always feel well-rested when they wake up.1

New Vicks ZzzQuil™ PURE Zzzs™ Melatonin Gummies are a drug-free sleep option that can help you fall asleep naturally* and they contain a unique botanical blend of lavender, chamomile, valerian root and lemon balm. ZzzQuil PURE Zzzs Melatonin Gummies contain the optimal level of melatonin shown to help regulate your sleep cycle without next-day grogginess* so you can fall asleep naturally and wake refreshed*.

As an alternative option for those experiencing occasional sleeplessness and looking to fall asleep in as little as 20 minutes, Vicks ZzzQuil is a non-habit-forming sleep-aid you may want to try once in a while.

* These statements has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Make time to wind down

After a busy day of work and play, it’s important to give your body and mind time to transition into relaxation mode. Before you go to bed, dedicate 10 minutes to quiet reflection and meditation. Calming scents can be a powerful tool in helping you wind down, so try using Vicks PURE Zzzs™ Soothing Aromatherapy Balm. The balm moisturizes your skin and helps provide relaxing scents thanks to a formula with soothing scents of lavender and chamomile.

Schedule technology mini-breaks

Americans turn to their devices when they can’t fall asleep, with more than a third (36%) logging on when they can’t nod off, whether it be surfing the internet (26%), checking or posting on social media (19%), or checking/sending emails (15%).1

Try to break free from the screen by scheduling 10-minute mini-breaks throughout your day. Put an alarm on your phone or create an email reminder so you know it’s time to take a break. Look away from your computer, give your eyes a rest and go stretch your legs. Even just walking to the break room to get a healthy snack can do wonders.

Fill up on H2O

Half of your body is made of water, so it makes sense to drink it regularly. The problem is, many people are dehydrated and don’t even realize it. Up to three-fourths of Americans drink well below the recommended levels, according to the University of Florida, which states that over time, chronic dehydration can lead to fatigue, joint pain, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure and more. So do your body a favor and grab a glass of water. If you want to jazz it up a bit, a twist of citrus fruit, a few berries or some slices of cucumber can add a healthy boost of flavor.

Laugh a little (or a lot!)

Have you heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine?” When it comes to the health benefits of laughter, it’s no joke. Short-term benefits of laughter may include internal stimulation, tension release and relaxation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Long-term benefits may include improved mood, pain relief and a stronger immune system. That’s a whole lot of reasons to laugh, so take a quick break and watch a funny TV clip, read the funnies in the newspaper or listen to audio from your favorite comic.

1 The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Vicks ZzzQuil from Dec. 21-13, 2016 among 2,054 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.