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To live a happy and healthy life, self-care is a must. Whether we realize it or not, our everyday lives can be quite stressful and draining. That is why setting aside a couple of hours or even a day devoted to ourselves is super important.
Depending on what type of person you are, your idea of self-care might look different than someone else’s. But, that’s okay because self-care is whatever makes you feel good inside and whatever benefits your well-being.
That being said, in this post I will be sharing 11 easy and affordable self-care ideas you need to try.
Take a Relaxing Bath
Taking a bath is one of my favorite self-care ideas! Fill up your bathtub with hot water, light a candle, sprinkle in some bath salts or oil (maybe even a bath bomb) and enjoy yourself.
If you are like me, looking at a magazine or reading a good book while relaxing in the tub will make this luxurious self-care idea even better!
Not only is taking a bath a great way to relax, but it will help to lower your blood sugar, relieve muscle tension, and even moisturize your skin.
Meditate
Whenever I feel stressed or anxious, meditating is my go-to. Simply set aside 15-30 minutes, find a quiet and happy place where you will be able to focus (I usually go to my backyard), and begin.
For those people out there who have trouble keeping their mind from wandering off while meditating, much like myself, I always find it’s helpful to choose a guided meditation, which you can find on apps like Calm and Headspace (my personal favorite).
Now, you may be asking yourself “what is so great about meditation?” Well, along with meditation being a therapeutic experience, here are some emotional benefits that it can have:
- An increase in self-awareness
- An increase in patience, tolerance, and focus
- The gaining of a new perspective in stressful situations
So next time you are feeling stressed or anxious, take some time for yourself to meditate. You might be surprised by the positive impact it will have on your life.
Exercise Outside
Maybe it’s the fresh air or all of the beautiful trees and flowers, but there is something about exercising outside that really makes me feel happy and content.
On a warm and sunny day in Southern California (so most of the time) I will bring a towel or mat outside and do some yoga. This helps me to relieve stress and overall boosts my mood.
So whether it’s yoga, hiking, walking, whatever it may be, take your exercise outside and enjoy the scenery.
Watch Your Favorite Show or Movie
Sometimes watching your favorite show or movie is just the kind of self-care you need. After a long day of hard work and checking things off my to-do list, I like to treat myself to a couple of episodes of my favorite show.
Right now I am rewatching Modern Family, which always makes me laugh.
So, if you are going to watch a show or a movie, pick one that you know will make you feel good. I always find comedies to be the most rewarding because I feel the best whenever I am laughing.
Have a Dance Party
I don’t know about you, but music is my cure-all. Whatever mood I am in, music always helps.
The best is when nobody is around and I can blast my favorite toons and dance until my heart is content. If you are looking for good playlists to sing and dance to, there are several great picks on Spotify.
If you don’t already have an account for spotify, you can create one here. It is completely free, and by far my favorite place to listen to music.
Take a Nap
While taking a nap might not be the most productive of these self-care ideas, it is certainly relaxing.
I used to not be a big nap person, as in, I could not get myself to take naps. But now that I am busier and am taking on more work, naps are what get me through the week.
If you ask me, a 20-30 power nap is the way to go. It doesn’t take up too much of your time, but it will give you enough energy to get through the day.
Do Something Creative: Draw, Paint, Write
You can never go wrong with doing something creative. I always find that whenever I am mad or frustrated, coloring and writing are my best options because they allow me to express myself and my emotions in a beautiful and unique way.
So next time you feel a need to express yourself, whether that is through scribbling or writing a poem, embrace it and go all out.
Journal
Journaling is a self-care habit that I have incorporated into my morning routine, and I am very happy that I did because it has helped a ton with relieving my worries and stresses.
Somehow, writing down all the thoughts in your head helps to clear your mind and feel a sense of peace.
I recently bought myself “The Five Minute Journal” which has quickly become a favorite. I had heard about it from so many different people, including celebrities. So, I thought it was worth a try, and now I know what all the fuss was about.
Either way, journaling is a healthy habit that I highly suggest you start. It only takes 5-10 minutes out of your day and will be well worth it.
Read
Reading is a great self-care idea because it’s relaxing and oftentimes teleports you into a different world where your worries are not your own.
The best part is, there is a book out there for everyone, you just have to find it.
Whether you like to expand your knowledge with a book about business and finances or take your mind to a whole different world with an exciting fiction, there are thousands of beautifully written books just waiting for you to read them. At least, that’s how I like to think of it. 😉
Learn a New Skill
No matter what stage of life you are in, it is never too late to learn a new skill or develop a new hobby. If you are not quite sure what to try, there are a ton of great ideas on Pinterest.
And who knows, this new skill of yours could turn into a fun side-hustle.
Take Yourself on a Date
If you want to indulge in a special self-care day, take yourself on a date. Whether you go out to lunch, to the movies, or go shopping, taking yourself on a date will allow you to not only have some fun without compromise but will allow some time for you to get to know yourself better. And likely, you still have a lot to learn.
Well, that wraps up today’s post. I hope you enjoyed and found some fun self-care ideas to try out. What is your favorite self-care idea? I would love to hear from you in the comments below! If you liked this post, here are some related reads I think you may enjoy as well:
