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We surveyed Americans for 10 consecutive days to test whether self-care behaviors (i.e., behaviors good for not only physical health but also mental health, e.g., engaging in a hobby, socializing with friends/family, etc.) predicted more positive emotions on the same day. Importantly, we tested this effect during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., April/May 2020) when self-care behaviors were being recommended by health professionals in the United States (e.g., Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/self-care-tips-during-the-covid-19-pandemic). At the time it was unclear how the context of the COVID-19 pandemic might have changed things; however, our results suggest self-care behaviors continued to boost mood during stay-at-home orders in the United States. We did not find evidence for mood boosts from one day to the next, highlighting the importance of consistent engagement in such behaviors each day to maintain emotional well-being. Thus, individuals would benefit most from daily routines involving self-care behaviors during times of stress.
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This page is a summary of: Self-care behaviors and affect during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic., Health Psychology, September 2022, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/hea0001239.
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