According to the Household Pulse survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Census Bureau, more than 50% of adults in their 20s and 30s display different symptoms of anxiety or depression-related disorders. That is why mental health experts have decided to share techniques that can help people calm down and deal with stress.

1. Take a Mental Health Day

Each day is different and some are better than others. When people are tired, overworked, or worried, their mental state can rapidly fluctuate from one end of the spectrum to the other. Hormonal changes are another factor that can raise stress levels and cause anxiety. Taking a mental health day is an effective way for people to rest their bodies and mind and recharge their batteries. Planning something with friends or simply relaxing at home can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Write a Letter

Writing is known to have calming qualities. The sound of a pen or pencil moving on a piece of paper while people are transferring their fears and worries can help with stress and anxiety. Another useful technique is “future writing.” Writing a letter to one’s future self can be cathartic and can put things into perspective. It can serve as a bridge between the past and present and help people look more brightly at what might come down the road.

3. Do Some Handywork

Handywork can help boost one’s mood. Creating something out of nothing is great for mental health as it relieves stress and enables people to feel good about themselves. It also allows them to focus on what’s right in front of them. Painting, knitting, building, gardening, cooking, etc, are excellent activities that anyone can do with their hands.

4. Be Active

Playful activities are known to be an antidote for stress and anxiety. They allow people to feel carefree, which ultimately reminds them of times when their lives were easier and less demanding. Whether it’s flying a kite, tossing a frisbee, playing sports, or picking up a musical instrument, being active is an excellent way to relieve stress, deal with anxiety, and rejuvenate the body.

5. Get a Massage

Massages do a lot more than relieve muscle and joint pain. They can also stimulate different happiness hormones such as endorphin, cortisol, dopamine, oxytocin, etc caused by physical touching. Getting a massage is a superb way to lower stress, fight off anxiety, and give the body a much-deserved TLC.

These five techniques can help people improve their mental health while effectively reducing the stress and anxiety in their lives.

More and more reports are highlighting the fact that celebrities may not be showering as much as people think. Actors such as Ashton Kutcher, Kristen Bell, and Mila Kunis have expressed the controversial opinion that the daily full-body shower isn’t a necessity.

The Body Doesn’t Clean Itself

But, no celebrity has caused a bigger polemic than Jake Gyllenhaal who hinted that not showering may in fact be beneficial for the skin. The actor who starred in The Prince of Persia claims that the skin has the ability to clean itself. His statement was quickly debunked by numerous dermatologists, including Joshua Zeichner who shared in an interview that soap and water are the only things that clean the body.

However, Gyllenhaal’s theory isn’t completely without its merits. The actor is most likely referencing the skin’s microbiome, an invisible flora of trillions of microorganisms on the skin, which can be harmed by the overuse of soaps and detergents.

James Hamblin, a preventive medicine physician, has written an entire book about the skin’s flora and makes the claim that in terms of biology and keeping a healthy microbiome, people probably don’t need to shower on a daily basis.

Bi-Daily Showering Doesn’t Improve the Skin

Dr. Zeichner agrees that individuals can get away with showering every other day, but that doesn’t mean that their skin will be healthier or better looking. He’s also adamant that certain body parts must be washed daily in order for people to maintain certain hygiene standards that prevent the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms on the skin. He also adds that individuals should always shower after heavy sweating and physical activity.

Most experts stand firmly behind the belief that people should shower daily, or pretty close to it. However, they do advise individuals to not over-exfoliate their faces and bodies, as well as to be mindful about their routine.