$elf-care on a budget

Sometimes, the source of a lot of our stress is money. So many people worry about how much they’re making, how much they’re spending, and so on. Naturally, when it comes to improving yourself both physically and mentally, you don’t want to go stressing yourself out about expensive options for them.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get into a good self-care routine. First, physical fitness can appear to cost a lot on the surface.

You might be thinking about getting all-new gym clothes, gym bags, water bottles, supplements, a membership, and so much more. Truthfully, though, that’s not necessary.

All those things can either be substituted for something cheaper or gotten rid of altogether, helping you cut costs immensely. When it comes to gym accessories, the less you have the better.

You don’t need a ton of stuff, so you really don’t even need a bag unless you intend to change at the gym. As far as clothes go, anything vaguely comfortable and athletic is good enough, such as a t-shirt and shorts.

You don’t need to buy top brands. For water bottles, you can find cheap reusable bottles – you don’t have to invest in trendy, top-notch bottles. In terms of supplements, they’re not necessary, as you can get the nutrients and vitamins you need from carefully picking out certain foods. Finally, you don’t even need a gym membership in all honesty. Plenty of people have made gyms at home with readily available equipment to help them stay in shape. You can do bodyweight exercises without machines, too.

Mental health is very similar. People like to think of it as having to go out and get expensive massages and spa treatments or pay a ton of money with a therapist, but you can get far in terms of mental health just by doing things at home, or really anywhere, all for free.

For example, meditation can help immensely and that is entirely free. If you don’t know how to do it, you don’t need to hire a coach, but just go online and learn about which methods work best.

You can also do some reasonably priced self-care spa days from home with some low-cost ingredients from your local grocery store and some instructions from the internet. Talking out your problems with others is like a free form of therapy and can even help create bonds.

If you are wondering what cost-effective ways to practice self-care on a budget, here are a few suggestions.

Stargaze - $0

Lay on your back and marvel at your complete and utter smallness in comparison to the rest of the universe

Journal - $0

start today by giving yourself time to write down your dreams, fears, and longings. Then reflect on your life and the lessons you’ve learned. No judgment.

Take a walk - $0

Get outside and get some sun! Clear your mind with a brisk walk, you are guaranteed to feel rejuvenated and energized within minutes.

Breathe Deeply - $0

Doing this relaxes you and allows stress to be washed away. During times when you feel tensed up, stop and take a moment to breathe deeply and consciously.

Sit Quietly - $0

Calm your mind by sitting still and quiet for about 5-10 minutes each day. No noise.

Say NO! I know it can be hard sometimes, but learning to say no when you don’t want to do something is a necessary skill to have in life. Practice it in the mirror and soon you will see how freeing it is to say no without worrying about what others will think of you or feeling guilty.