Self-described “wellness experts” and suburban soccer moms alike swear by it. Cynics call it a marketing ploy intended to sell bath bombs, nail polish, Chardonnay, and single-serving microwavable chocolate lava cakes. It’s hashtagged on Instagram, touted in women’s magazines, discussed on morning television shows. But what, exactly, is self care?
The notion that women need to tend to their own emotional wellbeing by taking time away from the duties of parenting, marriage, and career is certainly not a new one. In recent years, however, self-care has become more than just a watchword; it’s practically a mantra or magical incantation. And it’s true that in order to successfully take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves.
One problem with the self-care trend is that it tends to be confused with pampering — and expense. While there’s no denying the emotional lift that comes from choosing to “treat yo’self,” self care doesn’t require an expensive trip to the spa, the salon, or the Goop Shop. All you really need to do is carve out some time on a regular basis to direct your attention to yourself for a change! Here are 15 ways to do that for little to no money.
- Sleep. You don’t have to be a college student or the parent of a newborn to be sleep-deprived. Most of us don’t get nearly enough ZZZs, so a very simple and effective way to practice self care is to get to bed a little earlier, sleep in a little later, or take a luxurious Sunday afternoon nap.
- Quiet Time. Turn off your devices for 30 minutes minimum, preferably an hour, before you hit the hay. Electronics can make it difficult for us to get quality sleep. If you simply can’t relax without that game of Words With Friends or last scroll through Pinterest, use a blue light filter.
- Read a Book. You remember books, right? Like a blog, but printed on old-fashioned paper? Turns out you can read books for free by going to a place called the library. This is the perfect activity for that half-hour before bed. Broaden your horizons, or escape to another world.
- Drink Some Tea. In many countries, tea is much more than a simple beverage; it’s a refreshment in the true sense of the word as well as a calming, centering ritual. Making a pot of tea is especially nice when you use a lovely, perhaps antique service, but all you really need is your favorite mug, a tea bag, and some hot water. Just be sure to slow down a bit and savor the experience.
- Practice Yoga. Quirky, accessible yogi AdrieneMishler is something of a YouTube sensation, in large part because she helps her 4,828,400 subscribers to “find what feels good” without judgement. You don’t need to twist yourself into a pretzel for hours at a stretch, either; one of her “yoga quickies” can help restore your equilibrium in 10 minutes or less.
- Go for a Walk. Regular cardiovascular exercise, like adequate sleep and drinking plenty of water, is one of those “shoulds” that tend to fall by the wayside when life gets stressy. But a walk around the block or through the park is the perfect way to practice self-care. Take a favorite podcast or audiobook, or enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. You’ll feel better for it, we promise.
- Light a Scented Candle. Spend a few minutes on and choose a candle for your mood. Then place it on your nightstand or coffee table, and light it for a few minutes each day. You could combine this with your cup of tea and/or half-hour of reading. Again, do this mindfully to make it a self-care practice.
- Nosh on Chocolate. A little of this indulgent treat goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. A single portion of scrumptious matcha chocolate or a heart-healthy dark chocolate truffle, however, can be a highlight of your day with no ill effects.
- Hone Your Craft. Knitting has a surprising number of benefits — mental, emotional, and physical! — but any craft or creative pursuit will do. Crochet, color, make jewelry, start a bullet journal, try your hand at calligraphy, sketch, sculpt, sew, embroider.
- Watch a Trashy TV Show. Particularly if you have a cognitively challenging career, or you navigate the emotional minefield of parenting teenagers, sometimes it can be incredibly restorative to turn your brain off. It’s OK to indulge in fluffy, frivolous entertainment like a reality show or silly situation comedy once in a while — or every week.
- Dance. Put on that song — you know, the one that never fails to make you feel like you’re 15 and full of starry-eyed optimism again — and let your body move you.
- Spend Time with an Animal. If you’re lucky enough to have a furry friend at home, take a few minutes out of your schedule to play or cuddle with them (unless it’s a fish, in which case you should probably just watch them swim). Consider volunteering at your local shelter to help walk or socialize the dogs or feed the bunnies. If all else fails? Video compilations of your favorite funny or squee-worthy critters are just a Google search away.
- Practice Gratitude. Remember the gratitude journal craze from a few years back? Just because it’s no longer all the rage doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. Taking a few moments each day to jot down what you love about your life is a wonderful way to care for yourself and appreciate what you have.
- Be Mindful. Meditation and mindfulness have gotten as much good press as self-care itself. These practices will benefit all aspects of your life, and there are plenty of apps to walk you through a daily practice. Check out Stop, Breathe & Think for a meditation sesh that’s tailored to your mood.
- Phone a Friend. Better yet, meet a friend for a cup of coffee. As accustomed as we are to interacting over IM or text, a face-to-face, IRL encounter can be surprisingly enjoyable.
How do you practice self-care? Do you have any hobbies, or guilty-pleasure TV shows? Read any good books lately? We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you relax and recharge, so leave a comment below!