Parks can be a great source of all kinds of free exercise—running, swimming, hiking, fitness courses and so much more. Plus you'll soak up vitamin D from the sun and maybe even make some new friends. Bonus: Many studies link time spent in nature to better emotional health. You can find new nature preserves in your area through Google Maps or the National Wildlife Federation’s Nature Find at http://www.nwf.org/NatureFind.aspx.

Surprising ways to enjoy the great outdoors...

• National Parks You've Never Heard Of
• Go Glamping! Luxury Camping for Nature Lovers Who Don't Love Roughing It
• Night Hiking Can Be More Interesting Than Walking During the Day
• Nordic Walking Gives You a Great Workout

Dried fruits are chock-full of nutrients and vitamins, but when you buy them at the store they're usually full of things you shouldn't eat, such as added sugar and preservatives. You can easily make your own dried fruit with just an oven. Here's how: Spread the fruit out on a parchment-lined baking sheet (peel and/or slice where appropriate), and set the oven to 200˚F. It will take around six to eight hours to fully dehydrate the fruit. When you’re done, start munching!

More on the benefits of fruit...

• Eat This Fruit to Lower Cholesterol
• That Silly Green Fruit
• The Superfoods that Relieve Allergies to Pollen, Dust, Mold…
• Can an Orange a Day Keep Stroke Away?

Skip your next workout? Not you! The next time you feel like blowing it off, spend a minute thinking about how good you felt after your last one. Imagine the sweat pouring off your face, the pounding of your heart and how exhilarated you were when you finished. Then get yourself back in gear!

More on motivating yourself to do your best...

• The Key to Exercise Motivation
• How a Chronic Procrastinator Gets Things Done
• Movements that Boost Memory

Feeling blue? Have a cup of coffee. Several studies show that drinking as little as two cups of coffee a day lowers your risk for depression. But be sure to keep away from the sugar. Sweetened beverages have been shown to increase depression risk.




More on getting out of a bad mood...

• Bouncing Back From a Bad Mood
• Down and Depressed? Acupuncture Can Help
• Light Therapy: Not Just for Wintertime Blues