19, Aug 2026
August marks National Wellness Month, a perfect time to focus on and promote your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Self-care is the essential and intentional act of supporting your own wellbeing.
Stress can play a major role in how you feel overall. The following steps can help to reduce your stress and develop healthier habits that positively impact your health and wellness.
One of the simplest ways to improve your wellbeing is to stay hydrated. If you are not in the habit of drinking enough water, begin with a realistic daily goal and gradually increase your intake until hydration becomes part of your routine.
Healthy eating is an important part of self-care. Choosing a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins provides the nutrients you need to stay healthy and energized. Limiting foods and beverages rich in added sugars, such as candy, baked goods and regular soda, can help reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.
Adults should aim for approximately eight hours of sleep each night. Establishing a consistent sleep pattern by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can improve sleep quality, boost energy and help your body recover from daily stressors.
Daily exercise and movement are widely beneficial in keeping you healthy, relieving stress and preventing disease. Try to walk for 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week. Join a yoga or aerobic class. After prolonged sitting or working, stretching will help relieve tension in different muscles of your body, making you feel better both physically and mentally.
In addition to a regular exercise routine, take part in an activity or project you enjoy and look forward to.
Hobbies provide a great, healthy outlet for stress relief and offer something positive to look forward to at the end of the day. Whether you enjoy reading, gardening, painting, cooking, or even spending time outdoors, engaging in activities you enjoy contributes to emotional wellbeing and a healthier work-life balance.
Social relationships contribute to your mental and emotional wellbeing. Catching up regularly with your loved ones contributes to both mental health and overall happiness.
When it comes to self-care, older adults must prioritize fall prevention.
For older adults, maintaining strength and good balance are the keys to fall prevention. Talk with your health care provider about strength and balance exercises that would be best for you.
It is important to have regular health check-ups, including vision and hearing tests. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis, as well as vision or hearing loss, can increase the risk of falls. Additionally, be sure to reconcile your medications with your doctor, as some may have side effects that can make you fatigued or lightheaded, which may increase your risk of falling.
If you find it challenging to develop or maintain healthy habits, remember that you do not have to do it alone. Your primary care provider (PCP) can help you build a personalized care plan to improve your health and may recommend additional support from a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling or a behavioral health therapist for stress management and emotional wellness.
If you're struggling to create healthy habits for yourself, seek professional advice! Consult your PCP to discuss long-term help tips. Your PCP can then refer you to a registered dietitian to discuss dietary habits or a behavioral health therapist to discuss stress management.
This National Wellness Month, take time to invest in yourself and make every healthy choice that contributes to a stronger body, a healthier mind, and a greater sense of wellbeing. By making self-care a priority today, you can build habits that support your health throughout the year.
Dr. Sue Mitra and her staff strive to offer their patients the best care, advice and services available in the medical field with the goal to keep patient healthy & happy.
Dr. Sue Mitra is board certified in international medicine. She is seen here with a Cologuard, which is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test. (Photo by: Tim Shortt/Florida Today)