Danica Patrick in Workout Gear Says "Thanks Coach"

Danica Patrick is pumping iron in her workout clothes. In a new social media post the racecar driver shows off her strength during an intense workout session, putting her arm and back muscles on display in a pink tank top. “Thanks coach,” she captioned the Instagram Stories clip. How does the athlete approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

1. Walking

Danica Patrick/Instagram

In a social media post, Danica revealed “nature, walking, slow mornings,” are part of her self-care routine, adding that it “leads to me feeling really grateful, which is a powerful emotion,” she said. Why should you walk? One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that walking at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a day led to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and death, compared with walking a similar number of steps but at a slower pace.

2. Massage

Danica Patrick/Instagram

In the same post she revealed that she gets regular massages. The Mayo Clinic fully endorses this habit, citing studies supporting the many benefits of getting a regular rub down. These include stress reduction, lessening pain and muscle tightness, increased relaxation, and improved immunity.

3. Golfing

Danica Patrick/Instagram

Danica is a golfer “I found the trick to golfing. Barefoot and bikinis,” she captioned a post. “Got a few days of much needed time off for my brain.” In a post from Hawaii she added that she played golf “with the CEO.” Why should you golf, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine? The sport boasts mind, body, and even lifespan benefits, including improved longevity, decreased risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke, good mental health, and improved strength and balance.

4. Yoga

Danica Patrick/Instagram

Danica is a yogi. “The only reliable way to change your reality is to change your perception. Happiness is not outside of you, it’s the way you see things,” Danica captioned a recent post of herself doing yoga. Harvard Health adds that researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years gained less weight during middle adulthood “People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga. Researchers attributed this to mindfulness. Mindful eating can lead to a more positive relationship with food and eating.”

5. Strength Training

Danica Patrick/Instagram

In her latest social media post Danica lifts weights and does a variety of strength training exercises. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage your weight
• Enhance your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Sharpen your thinking skills