5 Cheap Ways to Practice Self-Care

If you’re like many working adults, you are busy from sunup to sundown, and beyond. Self-care is one of the last things on your mind.

Here are five inexpensive and quick ways to give yourself some of the self-care you deserve.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is an ancient method for getting in touch with your inner self. Developing a regular meditation practice has been shown to decrease stress levels and anxiety, bringing a renewed sense of calm into your hectic life. Just 10 minutes per day is enough to get started, and this simple activity is completely free.

All you need to do is sit still and concentrate on your breathing. Thoughts will come and go as you sit, and it is your job to let them do so while you focus on breath moving in and out.

Make a Phone Call

A 10-minute phone call to a friend allows you to take a minute to laugh, catch up on gossip, and reflect a little on your own life while you are getting your friend up to speed with what is going on with you.

Spending time nourishing your social network helps you both in the short-term and the long-term by continuing established friendships, giving you both a chance to blow off some steam and requiring that you take some time out from all of your other activities to be in the moment for your conversation.

Journaling

It is well-established that journaling is an excellent way to maintain your sense of self. You can take different approaches to journaling depending on your goals. You could choose to set a timer and free write for a set period every day, or use journals to write down goals or worries or track their moods. Journals provide a private space to say whatever you need to say, and the process of writing it down helps you to better understand any fears, anxieties, or niggling thoughts that are bothering you, all for the price of a pen and a pad of paper.

Take a Walk

The average person spends an estimated 87% of their time inside being exposed to low light levels, dust, and toxins released by their homes. Getting outside gives you a huge mood boost by providing a dose of sunshine and some fresh air.

Add to those benefits the endorphins released when you engage in gentle exercise like walking and the decrease in the cost of your car insurance due to reduced annual mileage when you walk rather than drive to run short errands, and you have a frugal way to boost your mood and improve your finances.

Listen to Music

Music can soothe us, excite us, and inspire us, and in these days of streaming media, you have a global music catalog at your fingertips any time you have an internet connection. Listening to energizing music can make doing the dishes more enjoyable and make your exercise routine seem to go by more quickly.

There are many documented health benefits to listening to music. Studies show that listening to some types of music can help you cope with high-stress situations. Music can ease pain, improve sleep quality, and reduce anxiety. Why not open up your favorite playlist right now?

As you go about your daily tasks, try to make a little time for yourself every day.

Try these five self-care ideas and see which one works best for you.