Self-Care Acts That Cost Close To Nothing
You can choose to not spend your money and still take care of yourself.
Last week as I was talking to myself, I realised that I needed a vacation to reset. Circumstances do not allow it at this very moment, so I decided to remind myself of the inexpensive ways in which I take care of myself every day.
When you show up for yourself every day, you show up for a life where experiences don’t have to be extravagant every time you need to feel content. There will always be little things like drinking more water or waking up to a clean house which serve as reminders that taking care of yourself is never a bad idea.
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. Most of it has always existed on ordinary days while you wait for a vacation or a shopping spree to uplift your mood. Below is a list of 15 acts of self-care that you can practice with little to no money.
I hope you remember this list when life gets overwhelming. I hope you take away pointers from this list for days that feel rough, but also the ones that feel good, because self-care isn’t a luxury, it is, and will always be, a necessity.
15 inexpensive acts of self-care you can practice throughout the day
Make your bed first thing in the morning.
A walk in nature.
Notice the way the breeze hits your face when you are outside. It is a reminder to zone back into the present moment.
Or a 30-minute workout at home.
Brushing your teeth every night before going to bed. For me, it’s a moment’s pause, a much-needed one. So I make sure I never skip it.
Set reminders throughout the day to drink water. I almost always have my water bottle with me and end up drinking more of it throughout the day as a result.
Stretch your legs as you lay in bed at the end of the day and feel the blood rush through them. It immediately draws focus to your body that needs to be thanked for getting you through the day.
Being conscious of the ingredients you consume. A nourished body is key to a nourished life.
Read, listen to podcasts - basically anything form of content consumption that allows your inner self to think about your life and ways in which you can make it more wholesome. This is a great way to avoid the autopilot brain because you are truly spending time away from doom scrolling and working towards something not to boost your career, but to boost your well-being.
Make your phone less functional when it comes to social media. Phones are designed to add convenience in our lives. But when it comes to social media, something as simple as turning notifications off or using the browser instead of the app works wonders for our peace.
Walking barefoot on the grass.
Eliminate tasks that can be completed tomorrow, or the day after. Now this can be a tricky one since you don’t know what other commitments may knock on your door later. But always remember that you are only human, with limited time and a limited mental capacity each day. Try to be gentle whenever possible.
Show kindness towards others. It instils a sense of positivity inside you. Plus, your actions are a reminder for others that kindness still exists in the world.
Writing your thoughts down on a piece of paper.
When confused, write your thoughts down.
When feeling lost, write your thoughts down.
When everything feels on track, write your thoughts down.
You will always find the answer you were searching for or at least a structure to your thoughts.
Focus on your breath at least once during the day. It is a reminder that you are alive. And being alive is a gift.
With this, I wrap up this week’s newsletter. I would love to hear from you about the little practices you follow throughout the day to take care of yourself.
THIS WEEK’s RECOMMENDATIONS
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2am. Can’t sleep. 40 year old mom. Thanks for the reminder. Needed to see this.
Another wonder post Mansi, thank you so much for the mention. I think at the moment I am re thinking a lot of my self care acts, I am trying to be more present and romanticise more - and I am really taking the time to notice the little free self care acts ! Thank you for the inspiration.