Self care can feel especially necessary as we look to summer. We asked our readers about the habits that make them feel healthiest. A selection of their answers is included below.

Q. What habits make you feel like you’re taking the best care of yourself?

1. - By having a forgiving heart & holding no grudges. - Sandra Cisneros Gonzalez

           - I hack my busy schedule by turning my treadmill into a desk.  I edit photos,  answer emails, and make online purchases while getting in my steps! - Nina Ha

- Drinking more water and working out at least 30 minutes each day. - Annmarie Amaya

- Remembering that having “Me Days” do not make you lazy or selfish. - Athaya Lopez

- Praying as soon as I wake up and being grateful for the small things. It’s a daily reminder of how precious life truly is. - Bivianna Chavez

- Going out and having a cup of coffee by myself or seeing a movie by myself. It’s very relaxing. - Shae B.

- As a mother in recovery, my involvement with meetings and the fellowship is the most important kind of self-care I can participate in. Without it, my children wouldn’t have the mother they need and deserve for me to be on a daily basis. - Caitlin Haviland

- The habit of making my bed in the morning makes me feel like no matter how the day goes,  I have a bed to slip into. - Daisy Medrano

- Getting a manicure makes me feel put together and ready for the week. - Callie Collins

- I just signed up for a membership at the gym. - Doris Reyes

- Making time for a few minutes of meditation/prayer, any type of exercise, eating healthier, getting good sleep and family time with my three children. - Daisy Salcedo

- I face each day with a positive attitude, and tell myself daily positive affirmations. We manifest our own happiness. - Marilyn Perez

- I recently started Pilates & I always feel great after a session. - Jami Higgins

- As a mother, I think it’s important to set aside time to do something that caters to who I am outside of being a mom. Reading a book (non-parenting), watching a show or movie that I like (no kid content). Identity maintenance is crucial in parenthood. - Johnnie Lisuk

- The habit that best helps me take care of myself is putting aside time each week for art. I collage, paint, color whenever that is possible to put my stress at easy. I put on music and just let myself express.- Kristine Berry

- Hydromassage at the gym. - Lesly Minney

- I love making sure I get in a nice evening walk! Especially now that the weather has gotten warmer, the whole family goes on a neighborhood stroll. - Margareli Ortiz

- Getting my hair done. - Suzanne Schneider

- Taking time to have a monthly dinner with girlfriends. - Lori Murphy

- For me, I like to dress nice, so when I feel good in what I’m wearing and what I see in the mirror, I feel good about myself. Getting up out of bed every morning at the same time, drinking lots of water, letting the little things go, exercising, not allowing negative inner self-talk or thoughts, making good food choices, spending time with people I love and laughing. - Nichole Jones

- Moisturizing my face twice a day! - Tara Bratcher

- Always trying to help others and those less fortunate than me. - Yolanda Sanchez