Low-Cost or No-Cost Ways to Practice Self-Care

In a world full of violence, viruses and uncertainty, taking care of ourselves is more important than ever. It is so easy to focus on our jobs or our family or the news. Often times, we get lost in thinking about everyone and everything else but ourselves. And it’s time to change that. 

Self-care is more than just expensive facials or monthly massages – although those are nice too. But self-care is about daily practices in which we take care of our mind, body, and spirit.

I pooled some suggestions from friends on Facebook, asking them for suggestion of low-cost or no-cost ways to practice self care. They did not disappoint.

With no further ado, here are some ideas for ways to practice self-care, in no particular order.

WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE

• Go out into nature – without your phone
• Take a nap
• Use your vacation time, even if it’s just for a staycation
• Do some gardening and get your hands dirty
• Go to the gym
• Go to a sauna
• Eat a healthy meal
• Go for a walk
• Meditate 
• Do a puzzle
• Focus on just breathing
• Say affirmations
• Journal
• Color
• Go to the coffee shop and get your favorite coffee drink
• Take your dog to the dog park
• Work on a hobby 
• Do something just for pleasure
• Say a prayer
• Read a book
• Listen to music
• Make a gratitude list
• Schedule a therapy session
• Do an at-home facial
• Go thrift store shopping
• Go to a chiropractor for an adjustment
• Go hiking
• Wash your sheets
• Take a bubble bath
• Put lotion on after a bath or shower 
• Burn a good-smelling candle
• Create margin in your schedule
• Do a YouTube yoga video
• Earthing – put your bare feet in the grass or dirt
• Change your old beliefs or thought patterns
• Go to a recovery meeting 
• Go to church 
• Take a mental health day
• Download a mediation app and try it
• Wear comfortable clothes
• Stretch
• Take the time to fix your hair
• Dress up
• Dress down
• Drink enough water
• Wash your face before bed
• Make a vision board
• Reflect on goals and passions
• Go outside and listen to the birds
• Take 30 minutes after work to unwind
• Take a hot shower
• Take your dog on a walk
• Develop a morning routine
• Turn your screens off
• Get enough sleep at night
• Listen to inspiring podcasts 
• Give yourself grace when you make a mistake
• Laugh
• Rest
• Schedule a doctor’s appointment that you’ve been neglecting
• Unfollow accounts on social media that don’t align with your values or that make you feel bad when you look at them
• Make peace with your past
• Forgive your enemies
• Wear sunscreen
• Wear comfortable shoes

Are you doing any of these things? Did you get any new ideas for things you can do to take care of yourself? What are other ways you practice self-care? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Jeri Austin