Self-Care on a Budget for Fabulous Health and Happiness
Sometimes, the key to fabulous health and happiness is an iconic self-care ritual. Bubble baths, a face mask, and a little meditation might be all a person needs to show themselves some love the outside and the inside. With Instagram making self-care synonymous with luxury, many people might get tricked into believing they need thousands of dollars’ worth of spa treatments and products to feel like a million bucks. But, if you didn’t know it already, I’m here to tell you that it’s totally possible to look and feel good while you’re balling on a budget.
Here are some self-care tips for fabulous health and happiness that cost next to nothing:
- Go for a walk
Connect with your roots (literally) and become one with nature on a nice walk around your neighborhood or around a local park. Breathing in the fresh air, watching the clouds roll by, stopping to smell the flowers, and getting your legs moving will have you feeling ready to take on the rest of your day.
- Organize your room
If there’s one thing Bobby Berk from Queer Eye taught me, it’s that a room is a safe space that should make you feel relaxed and content. Decluttering a room is a great way to declutter your mind and instantly feel less stressed and less distracted from your surroundings. This way, it will be way easier for you to rest at night and get your beauty sleep.
- Brew your favorite tea
Studies show that certain teas interact with our brain receptors to induce relaxation and even induce sleep when we need it. Since tea contains L-theanine, it can reduce our mental and physical stress to make us feel calm when we need to let off some steam (yes, pun intended). For fabulous health and happiness with beauty benefits, try a cup of chamomile, green, or even peppermint tea.
- Spend some time on a hobby
There are plenty of hobbies and small activities you can do that also act as stress-relievers for the times when you need to reduce anxiety or relax your mind. Plus, some therapists swear by them as coping mechanisms. Here are some ideas for fabulous health and happiness:
- paint a picture
- sculpt something out of clay
- buy beads to make a new necklace
- knit a beanie
- finish a puzzle
- Meditate
Forget all of your worldly distractions, find a nice quiet and comfortable spot, focus on your breathing, and allow yourself to reach a tranquil mind. During meditation, you can follow a free meditation guide on YouTube or turn on a calming music playlist to reach ultimate relaxation and physical/emotional well-being.
- Watch a free workout video
Speaking of YouTube, there are millions of videos online that you can watch to get your blood pumping. Exercise, like yoga or some good old-fashioned cardio, can help reduce anxiety and lift low moods by ultimately releasing endorphins and improving your cognitive function. Who says you need a gym membership?
- Give yourself the ultimate bubble bath
Maybe it’s the most cliché form of self-care on the list, but hey – it’s an oldie but goodie. Grab some candles, a bath bomb, and your favorite music playlist, and kick back and relax with a nice warm bath. It’s foolproof!
- Write in a journal
When our minds are jumbled up with racing thoughts, one of the best things we can do is get it all out on paper. It’s not good to keep negative feelings trapped inside, so journaling can be a great way to release your emotions and ground yourself. If you’re up for it, daily journaling is also a fantastic tool for “checking in” with ourselves; for example, you can write down 3 things you’re grateful for every day.
- Read a new book
It’s easy to spend hours in a bookstore or your local library – so stop by, take a stroll, and pick out a brand-new book. Or, if you still haven’t finished the book laying on your shelf, revisit it and spend some time getting lost in a story.
- Call a loved one
Your best friend, your sister, your grandma, or your dad – whoever it is, give them a call and tell them you love them. Especially if you’ve been feeling down lately, connecting or reconnecting with the ones we love is the perfect way to find support and remind yourself there are people out there who love you.
- Write out some positive affirmations
Grab some Post-It notes and write out some positive affirmations. These can be your favorite quotes, some loving reminders you need to hear on a daily basis, or manifestations from your vision board. Then, stick them to your mirrors in your room or bathroom so you can see them when you need a pick-me-up.
- Watch your favorite show or movie
Ever heard of a “comfort movie”? It’s a movie (or even a show) that you can watch over and over again and never get sick of because it makes you feel happy or nostalgic. Our brain needs time to turn off, and sticking with your favorite form of entertainment is one way to do it.
- Cleanse your phone
When I say cleanse your phone, I mean go through it and delete everything you don’t need. You know, the stuff you’ve been meaning to delete all this time. Delete useless emails, photos that are taking up storage space, and any apps you haven’t been using. Just like cleaning your room, cleansing your phone is a nice way to feel organized and fresh.
- Put down your phone
If you’re ready for a challenge, go beyond cleansing your phone and stay away from it altogether. Some people call this a “social media cleanse”, but spending time away from vibrations, harsh blue light, and notifications is an easy way to let go of distractions and enjoy life by being present in the moment.
- Download a coloring-book printable
Do you have a printer at home? Great – grab your crayons, colored pencils, or markers and download a free coloring book printable! Coloring books have been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation and focus, so they’re ideal if you’re looking for an artsy stress-buster.
- Drink your water
This one might be self-explanatory, but staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways you can take care of your body. Drinking water can increase our energy levels, reduce fatigue, reduce headaches, and keep our skin bright and glowing.
- Cook a new recipe
Studies show that cooking can be soothing since it encourages creativity and helps us feel accomplished when we’re done. Check out Pinterest or your favorite cookbook and whip up a delicious new dish for an awesome stress reliever. Watch out, Gordon Ramsay.
- Listen to a motivational podcast
If you prefer audiobooks over reading self-help books, listening to motivational podcasts are perfect for inspiring our minds and souls. There’s a podcast in basically every category you can imagine, so there’s something for everyone.
- Find a DIY craft
Remember when we said to check out Pinterest for a new recipe? Well, it’s also a great place to find fun DIY crafts. You can even search up crafts that use materials you already have at home so there’s no need to spend money at the store. A win-win!
- Put on a sheet mask
Popularized in South Korea, sheet masks are quickly becoming a core part of skincare. Not only do they give great results, but they can be found in the beauty section of nearly every drugstore and retail store.
- Do a random act of kindness
Making other people feel good can help us feel good, too. The next time you’re out, try buying someone’s cup of coffee, pay a stranger a compliment, donate some items, or send an encouraging letter to someone who might need it.
- Go to a museum or art gallery
It may sound unbelievable, but studies have found that strolling through an art gallery or museum can help lower the body’s concentration of stress and can increase dopamine levels. To save money, stray away from guided tours and check out the museums online to see when they’re open in the public for free or if they have discounted rates.
- Put together a perfect playlist
Music is super effective for relaxation and stress management since it can have an undeniable link to our emotions. The next time you’re feeling upset or stressed, try putting together a relaxing playlist you can fall asleep to or an upbeat playlist that will get you dancing.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
When people get out in the fresh air to watch the sunset, they often feel a deep sense of peace that makes time feel like it’s slowing down. With such a beautiful view, it’s a no brainer why people often turn to this activity to relax and de-stress.
- Make something new
Are you bored of the outfits in your closet? Get creative and turn your clothes into something new! You can turn an old pair of jeans into a great new pair of shorts or a dress into a cute new shirt, for example.
Final Thoughts
Self-care isn’t just a trend – it’s the special act of putting yourself first and taking care of your well-being to keep fabulous health and happiness. Whether you had a long day, a long week, or you’re just feeling overwhelmed with life, incorporating a little TLC you’re your everyday practices can make all the difference. Since self-care is so important, you should never have to feel like you can’t afford to show yourself the love and attention you deserve. Hopefully, with these tips you can find 25 new ways to rejuvenate and refresh without breaking the bank.