Self-care has become an increasingly important topic for good reason. It’s all about doing things for our physical, emotional and psychological well-being. While self-care doesn’t have to be complicated, many people associate it with spending money. But you don’t have to break the bank to practice self-care. Continue reading this list of free and cheap self-care ideas that won’t leave you stressed about your budget.
Take Small, Free Actions
You might think that a shopping spree counts as self-care, but if you can’t afford it, you might be in a worse position than you were before. Here are some free, small self-care activities you can practice throughout your week.
- Walk outdoors throughout the day. Connecting with nature, even urban nature, can improve your psychological well-being. If you can, try taking one or two breaks during the workday to get outside, breathe some fresh air and see something green.
- Take a break from or spend less time on social media. While social media can be a great place to stay connected, there can also be a lot of negativity that may affect your mental health. Take a break one day per week or try to limit your screen time and instead find something else you enjoy to fill that time.
- Try something new. Finding something that works a different part of your brain is an inexpensive way to practice self-care. For example, if you spend most of your workday responding to emails, try doing something to open your creative mind such as coloring, crafting or cooking. And if you spend all day working with your hands, try something like reading or listening to music.
- Clean your space. We know what you’re probably thinking: aren’t self-care examples supposed to be relaxing? Cleaning your space may not be the first thing you think of when you think of self-care, but a clean space has been proven to do a great deal for mental health. Clean space, refreshed mind!
Staycations Don’t Have to Be Boring
If you’re looking for a longer break than a walk through the park, but don’t necessarily have the funds for a flight, planning a future staycation might be a simple and cheap self-care method. And no, that doesn’t mean sitting in your house all day! Doing a few of the below activities in your city can have the same revitalizing feeling as traveling on a budget for a trip across the country, all while costing half as much.
- Find new things to do within your city. Ask yourself how well you really know your city. If there is a restaurant or food truck you haven’t eaten at, a tourist attraction you’ve been avoiding or a new music venue you’ve yet to visit, now might be the time.
- Search for local live music. Not only would you be supporting local bands and artists, but you likely won’t have to dip into savings for a ticket or the cover fee!
- Find free events. If you live in a larger city, chances are that free community events are happening often. Visit your city’s tourist website or keep your eyes peeled for event posters.
- Have a picnic in the park. Whether it’s a local state park or the park down the street, making your own food and having a picnic on a nice day can feel refreshing. Plus, you’ll get the added benefit of the nature around you, too!
Practice Good Financial Habits
Your financial health plays a role in your overall health, whether you realize it or not. Financial stress is one of the most prevalent types of stress in the United States, with 47% of Americans saying that thinking about their money hurts their mental health. While addressing financial stress and taking control of your finances might not seem easy, doing so may be one of the best self-care activities you’ve done in a while.
- Make a budget. Understanding your finances is the first step in taking control of them. Write out your monthly income and subtract all your monthly expenses (yes, that $2.99 subscription counts!). From there, you can identify whether your current income stream sufficiently covers your costs or whether you can cut down on expenses.
- Put money into savings each month. Saving is a critical part of financial wellness and building a healthy savings plan starts with putting money away each month. How much you put into your savings account depends on your budget, but we highly recommend trying to put something away, no matter if it’s $15 or $150.
- Speak with an expert. Speaking with an expert doesn’t always have to happen when your finances are in trouble. Working with a financial counselor or advisor can help you see things about your finances that you’ve never seen before. Because, let’s face it, finances can be complicated! Find a trusted financial counselor or advisor who will meet your planning needs and help you for the best. Some might be offered through your university or local financial institutions!
Self-care doesn’t always have to be a shopping spree or an all-inclusive resort vacation. Taking care of your physical, emotional and psychological health relies on daily self-care tasks, such as taking a nature break, tidying your space and focusing on your finances. Discover more affordable ways to practice self-care and financial wellness with Centris Federal Credit Union’s free financial counseling services through GreenPath Financial Wellness.
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