10 Historical “Self-Care” Habits That Actually Helped… and 10 That Didn’t Help at All

Walking for health is one of those old habits that has stood the test of time. Throughout the ages, people have always believed that walking regularly is good for the body, the mind, and digestion—and they were right. 

For centuries, people have used hot baths to relax and feel good, and that idea wasn’t all that far-fetched. A bath can help relieve sore muscles, calm the mind, and, in general, make a difficult day a little more bearable. You don’t need a luxury spa package to realize that hot water has an invigorating effect.

Not all herbal remedies were scientifically proven, but throughout history, many people have made a habit of drinking mild herbal teas as part of a soothing daily ritual. The warmth, hydration, and tranquility of this routine were truly comforting, and some herbal teas contained plants with genuine medicinal properties. This may not seem revolutionary, but it is more effective than many other solutions used in the past.

Before electric lighting extended the day to absurd lengths, many people naturally followed a rhythm more closely aligned with that of the sun. Getting more rest and sleeping in a way that more closely followed the natural cycles of light was undoubtedly far more beneficial than some of the most radical health theories of the time. 

For centuries, fresh air has enjoyed an excellent reputation—and rightly so. Spending time outdoors provides a chance to exercise, reduce indoor crowding, and break away from the monotony of daily life in densely populated cities or stuffy homes. Sometimes, old advice may seem simplistic, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

People in ancient times valued olive oil for beauty and body care, and frankly, it was a pretty smart choice. Used as a moisturizer and revitalizing treatment, it helped soften and nourish the skin and hair. It may not have solved every beauty problem, but it certainly caused less damage than many other cosmetic ideas that came along later.

Long before modern fitness culture came along and linked all of this to a branded mat and a monthly membership, various cultures already had their own practices related to flexibility, posture, and movement. Gentle movements have always been beneficial for combating stiffness, for aging bodies, and for overall well-being. 

For a very long time, people have turned to writing to make sense of their thoughts and emotions, even though they didn’t yet talk about “mental health care.” Reflective writing can help structure one’s feelings, sort through one’s thoughts, and make personal worries feel less chaotic. It’s comforting to know that, even without on-demand access to therapists, people were already finding ways to get through difficult times on their own.

In certain eras, rest was one of the few truly effective remedies available when one was sick or recovering. It didn’t cure everything, of course, but letting the body rest instead of immediately overworking it was often the best course of action. History has seen many ineffective remedies, but every now and then it has stumbled upon the idea that exhausted people might need to lie down.

Long, shared meals have often been part of healthier historical lifestyles—and not just because of what was on the table. Eating with others, taking your time, and making meals part of social life can provide a sense of grounding that goes far beyond mere nutrition. A more peaceful relationship with food and companionship is a form of well-being, even if no one in the room used that exact phrase.

Now that we’ve reviewed the historical wellness habits that actually helped, let’s talk about the ones that did more harm than good.

Bloodletting is undoubtedly one of the worst ideas in history, and it persisted for a surprisingly long time. People used to believe that drawing blood would restore balance or cure disease, but in reality, it often weakened people who were already sick and made their condition worse. If your self-care routine results in concerning blood loss, it’s usually a sign that you need to rethink your approach.

In the past, lead was used in facial makeup to achieve a smooth, pale, and fashionable complexion—a phrase that should immediately set off alarm bells. The problem, of course, is that lead is toxic, and it doesn’t stop being toxic just because it’s part of a beauty routine. Looking elegant isn’t a good trade-off if the price you pay is slowly poisoning yourself.

Mercury was used to treat skin conditions and all sorts of ailments, ranging from digestive disorders to depression. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that most of these practices were gradually abandoned, once people became aware of mercury’s extreme toxicity. There is something particularly sinister about a “wellness” product that is also a poison. 

In certain eras, arsenic was marketed as a way to enhance the complexion and give women a refined glow. This is already a telling sign that beauty culture has once again ventured into dangerous territory. Poisoning oneself in the name of a radiant complexion is exactly the kind of personal care mistake that history is full of.

In the early 20th century, there was a strange craze for radioactivity even before its dangers were fully understood, which led to the marketing of products that no sensible person would dare to ingest of their own free will today. Radioactive tonics were sold as energy boosters or health remedies, which seems absurd—because that was, in fact, the case. It is hard to imagine a more glaring example of optimism and novelty taking precedence over actual knowledge.

We’ve often gone to bed applying all sorts of skincare products, powders, and other substances in the hope of waking up feeling better. Unfortunately, many beauty products from the past were full of irritating, dangerous, or even downright toxic ingredients. It’s always frustrating when your evening routine feels less like a restorative ritual and more like a risky chemical gamble.

In the 19th century, some people regarded vinegar as a weight-loss remedy and a way to control their appetite. The idea was that it could suppress hunger or help maintain a fashionable pallor and slenderness—which is just as deplorable as it sounds. 

Corsets are more complex than popular belief sometimes suggests, but over-lacing undoubtedly deserves a place on the list of bad habits. It severely compresses the ribs, pushes the internal organs downward, reduces lung capacity, and sometimes causes permanent deformities—which does not seem to be the path to fulfillment. If you feel weak, achy, and your body structure is being compromised, it means your wellness routine has taken a wrong turn.

There was a time when smoking was presented to the public—especially to women—as a glamorous, soothing activity that helped control weight and, in some ways, was even good for one’s health. Tobacco companies hired actors to pose as doctors and enlisted real doctors to promote cigarettes, thereby spreading the message that they were harmless, if not actually beneficial. It is one of those moments in history when advertising now seems almost like satire.

Patented medicines once promised to relieve all sorts of ailments, from nervous disorders to insomnia, and many of them contained alarming amounts of addictive substances. Opium and other related substances were found in products sold with reassuring, well-designed labels that belied a completely irresponsible lack of transparency. They might have helped you sleep better for a night, but history clearly shows that this was not a healthy long-term strategy for coping with difficulties.