18 Self-Care Hacks That People Actually Swear By

"Lying in my hammock is so relaxing and allows me to detox my mind and just let all my thoughts happen and pass."

Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community what ~self-care hacks~ they use when they're feeling anxious, stressed, or just plain stuck. Here are some of our favorite answers:

1. Cook a fun, yummy meal for yourself.

NBC

"I had the house to myself for the first time in months, so I got myself some hard cider, made a pizza from scratch (pre-made pizza dough is the BEST), and put some cookies in the oven. Then I got cozy, posted in front of the TV, and watched a movie. It was EVERYTHING. It seems so simple, but when you need to focus on you, do exactly what you think will make you feel better."

—michellef61

2. Have a night in with some good friends.

Bounce TV

"Have a night in and do face masks. The sillier the masks look, the better!"

—jiannag

3. Get some exercise.

Atlantic Records

"For me, it’s getting into the gym and pushing myself further than I have before, whether it’s trying to run a faster mile or lifting heavier weights, etc. It's about pushing myself out of my head and getting in touch with my body and my own personal strength."

—shannonc4f8cc995d

"Exercise. I hate doing it — and sometimes I hate every second of it — but the idea that I got out and accomplished something instantly improves my mood."

—treamariemc

4. Revisit some of your favorite childhood hobbies.

Mom + Pop Music

"I think about the activities I enjoyed as a kid and try to do one or two."

—christinak4b24cd916

5. Meditate with a calming app that you like.

buzzfeed.com

"I use a great iPhone app called '#selfcare.' It has little activities that are simple and somewhat mindless, so you can do them and recenter yourself. It offers guided breathing, affirmations, fidget games, and calming sounds. Plus, you get a cat that you can pet without the scratches and allergies!"

—timk489060b6d

"I try meditating with an app that helps. Personally, I like Oak and Headspace. They even have someone who talks you through the process as well as unguided sessions."

—nataliag450d6c1fb

6. Take a nap and don't set any alarms.

505 Games

"Sometimes I just need a hard reset, so I start winding down at like 6:00 p.m. and just fall asleep as early as possible with no alarm. On those nights, I typically sleep for 12 hours because my body and mind were just so tired. I wake up feeling infinitely better!"

—hannahb4b5cc7f98

7. Do a deep-clean of your house.

instagram.com

"I do a deep-clean of my house when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It helps me reset, and it’s so nice to come home to a freshly cleaned home."

—emilyl4cdaf24ea

8. Have a hammock moment in the park.

instagram.com

"If it's nice out, I take my hammock to a park and lie in it. It's relaxing and allows me to detox my mind and just let all my thoughts happen and pass. Staring up into trees and sunshine just makes me feel at peace."

—carolync4a43d5f93

9. Write down your thoughts and feelings.

instagram.com

"I write it all down. Somehow, when I've done that, it's like I don't keep coming back to the same thoughts. Especially when it's late at night and I can't stop crying, writing helps me put my mind to rest."

—ravenclawbookloverswiftie

"I write in a gratitude journal everyday. Even when I’m struggling to pretend like I’m okay, just reflecting on one or two good things that happened that day makes me feel better. It can be anything from a delicious meal to something kind someone said to me — and then when I need a moment of self-care, it’s all there to lift me up and give me that boost I need!"

—keelyr49f5e28a1

10. Put on some music and have a sing-and-dance-a-long.

Netflix

"My favorite thing to do is just take some time alone and put on my current favorite musical (or album) and just sing along and dance. It helps get blood flowing and it makes me so happy."

—feminista

11. Watch a light-hearted TV show.

Netflix

"I watch Gilmore Girls when I'm upset because it’s always funny, lighthearted, and upbeat. Stars Hollow is my happy place."

—ginaaaaaaaaaaaa

"Whenever I'm upset, I watch the dinner party episode from The Office. Life may be rough right now, but it’s not as bad as dating Jan."

—howtheturntables

12. Change up your environment.

WE tv

"Feeling overwhelmed at work? Take a break and step away from the computer. Feeling stressed at home? Go to the park or for a coffee. Mix it up!"

—kendallt

13. Take a bubble bath with the works.

VH1

"Bubble bath. Face mask. CBD gummies. And some Al Greene!"

—indiag426821344

14. Listen to a motivational podcast.

NBC

"Whenever I’m feeling unmotivated or stuck, I make a cup of tea and listen to a motivational podcast. It centers me and totally recharges my batteries."

—alexf40bde67df

15. Get outside.

reddit.com

"Go outside and walk. Find some woods, find a garden, anywhere pretty where you can walk and connect with nature. It always makes me feel 100% better."

—mrsh810

"I recently started gardening to help with my anxiety and depression. The idea of taking care of something else always makes me feel better, and in turn, inspires me to take care of myself."

—jaymed3

16. Pamper yourself when you can!

NBC

"If I can afford it that week, I go get a massage."

—Sunny2423

17. Find a spot by a window and breathe in some fresh air.

Roc Nation

"I sit on my windowsill and breathe in the fresh air to calm myself down. It always helps!"

—erins4b12ce1d0

18. And if all else fails, go to Target.

NBC

"TARGET....I go to target."

—mindypong

For further help, here are some quick resources:

You might want to learn more about starting therapy, since pretty much everyone can benefit from talking to a professional.

You can learn more about mental disorders here.

And if you need to talk to someone immediately, the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. A list of international suicide hotlines can be found here.