33 Simple Ways To Practice Self-Care Daily Without Spending A Cent
“It is not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”- Mandy Hale.
When many people hear “self-care,” they immediately think of fancy spa treatments, wellness retreats, the latest expensive wellness gadgets, or expensive vacations.
Practicing self-care daily can be quite affordable, and in some instances, it doesn’t involve spending a cent. Self-care can be as simple as small mindful habits that you can do at home without spending anything.
Here are 33 ways to practice self-care daily without spending a cent.
33 Ways To Practice Self-Care Daily Without Spending a Cent
Mindful Practices
1. Deep breathing exercises
You don’t need much to practice deep breathing. Set aside some quiet time and focus on your breath. You can practice the 4-7-8 deep breathing technique to calm and ground yourself.
2. Meditation
Another simple and relaxing way to practice self-care daily without spending a cent is meditating. There are a ton of free meditation resources, from blogs to videos, that you can access online. All you have to do is actively practice mindfulness. Focus on your breath and listen to your thoughts without judgment. Cultivate a sense of inner calm.
3. Gratitude journaling
Gratitude journaling is one of my favorite ways to practice self-care without spending a dime. Fostering a grateful mindset is associated with optimism, happiness, and better relationships.
Gratitude journaling can take as little as 5 minutes. Listing three things you are genuinely grateful for can positively change your day and, over time, your mindset.
4. Journaling
Unlike gratitude journaling, which focuses particularly on practicing gratitude, general journaling is broad. You can journal about just about everything, from emotional issues to self-development goals to self-reflection.
RELATED: DAILY JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR BALANCED LIVING.
5. Walking outside, taking note of your surroundings
Studies show that spending time in nature can have a rejuvenating and calming effect on your overall well-being. Mindfully walk outdoors and spend time in nature, listening to birds, watching and picking leaves, and picking wild flowers. You can walk in your local park, a nearby forest, or along a river.
6. Digital detox
Taking a digital detox is an underestimated way to practice self-care daily without spending a cent. Every once in a while, take a break and totally disconnect from your digital devices. Use this time to engage in activities that recharge you, such as journaling, reading, or meditating.
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Physical Well-being Daily Self-Care Activities
7. Stretching routines
Practice a few stretch routines to relieve tension and improve flexibility. Stretching can help you relax and reduce tension, allowing you to enjoy your day more.
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8. Yoga at home
Pick your favorite relaxing yoga poses and spend a few minutes doing a yoga flow. If you are not a yogi, don’t worry. There are a few yoga poses that a beginner can nail.
9. Dancing
Turn up your favorite music and let loose. Dancing is a fun way to boost your happiness hormones and release stress while exercising. Dance like you are having the time of your life in Ibiza, and just let loose.
10. Walking outside
Walking outside is a simple way to get some fresh air and some form of movement.
11. Home DIY spa day
You can easily create a simple DIY home spa day and practice self-care without spending a cent. It is one of my favorite ways to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.
The trick? Don’t overthink it. Use what you already have at home. Take a long bath, diffuse some essential oils, light some candles, use a homemade facial mask to give yourself a facial, and do a homemade hair mask. You can even pamper yourself with a DIY mani padi.
Creative Self-Care Activities
12. Drawing/doodling
Okay, you are no Van Gogh, but I know you have some spark of creativity. Put it to use. And you can’t draw at all, no big deal, doodle. You don’t have to be perfect; you don’t even have to be good. So long as you enjoy it, do it. Use tools like procreate to do it digitally.
13. Try a new recipe
Use ingredients you have on hand. You can even cook something from scratch that you would typically buy, from pizza to a fancy dessert.
14. Listening to music
Create a playlist of all the songs that make you feel good on a bad day. This can be your “party-animal” playlist with all the songs that make you want to get on the kitchen counter and dance your heart out. It can be a playlist for the next time you lift weights in the gym and need those beats to charge your workouts.
15. Writing poetry or short stories
I know you are no Hemingway, and you will probably not be winning Pulitzers anytime soon, but I bet you have a creative bone that could write some. If you enjoy this type of thing, don’t overthink it. Nothing is at stake. Just write to relax and enjoy yourself.
16. Create a vision board
Creating a vision board allows you to visualize your dream life and is a scientifically proven way to boost intrinsic motivation. Cut out old magazines, print photos, collect your favorite motivational quotes, and create a vision board. You can even to it digitally on apps like Goodnotes on a digital planner or Canva.
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Self-Care Activities Related to Organizing and Decluttering
17. Organize a small place
Choose a small space like a drawer or closet, declutter, and organize. Tidying up a small space and creating order is a simple, free form of self-care that quickly provides a sense of accomplishment and reduces stress.
18. Donate what you don’t need
In the same spirit, please donate what you no longer need. This is not only an act of kindness but also a chance to allow the things you actually want to freely flow in. For instance, getting rid of some winter coats you no longer use will actually motivate you to get the coat you have been eyeing.
19. Rearrange furniture
Giving your house or room a new look by rearranging your furniture might just be the kind of activity you need to absolutely fall in love with your space. Play around with the arrangements and find something that “fits” your current aesthetic.
20. Clean your workspace
A cluttered space can negatively impact your productivity. Declutter your workspace, including your digital space, such as emails, and create order.
21. Clean bedding/towels
Changing and cleaning your bedding and towels doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Listen to music or a podcast while you do it to make it an enjoyable experience.
Emotional and Social Well-Being Self-Care Ideas
22. Talk to a friend
Reach out to family members or friends and spend time together. You don’t even have to leave your home if you are on a tight budget. Texting or face timing will suffice. Simply engage in conversation, meaningful or not.
23. Write a letter to a friend or close confidant
Writing a letter is a lost art and one of the best ways to practice self-care without spending a cent. It is a classic and will be a memorable gesture for the recipient compared to, say, a text.
Write a heartfelt letter to a romantic partner, a friend, or a family member. You don’t have to have any “special” reason. You can write just because…
24. Volunteer your time
You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving or the Holidays to give back. You can always walk to your local shelter, senior home, or animal shelter and help out where you can.
25. Spend time in nature
Spending time in nature is an awesome way to relax. Go for a picnic, do a nature scavenger hunt, sit by the water, visit a local landmark, or simply ride a bike around the neighborhood.
Sometimes, you don’t even have to leave your home to spend time in nature. You can watch the sunset on your balcony, stargaze on your front porch, or sunbathe in your backyard.
Rest and Recharge Self-care Activities
26. Take a nap
Did you know research shows that napping can provide short bursts of energy? It is not an actual substitute for a poor night’s sleep, but if for some reason you didn’t sleep enough, napping will definitely help and improve your overall well-being. Not to mention, power naps actually improve alertness and focus and might just be what your day needs.
27. Go to bed early
Another simple self-care activity is to go to bed early. Instead of sitting around scrolling endlessly on your phone, go to bed early and allow your body to recharge.
28. Have a slow morning
Every so often, have a slow, mindful morning with no rush. If you have work, wake up early so don’t have to rush. Watch the sunrise, journal, make a healthy breakfast, and enjoy before you begin the usual daily ups and downs.
29. Take a day off
Another cheap self-care idea you can do without speeding a cent is to take the day off and do nothing! Allow yourself to be lazy and simply relax. Simply refuse to be stressed by anything you can do tomorrow.
30. Take a long, comforting bath
Taking a long, comforting bath is a pretty popular and cheap self-care activity. I do it quite often on Fridays as a way to relax and get to read my favorite romantasy.
I make it an experience. Light some candles, use essential oils, and fill the tub with bubbles. I get a glass of wine and read while I relax. It is an unbeatable way to finish the week.
Personal Development Self-Care Activities
31. Read a book
Another free self-care activity is to read that self-help book that you have been meaning to read. If you are anything like me, you often opt to read fiction, which is awesome. But sometimes it is good to read an inspiring book, fiction or not, that will help you develop a growth mindset.
32. Learn something new
Try free online courses, listen to a podcast, or watch a YouTube tutorial. Find something motivational or educational that interests you and learn something new.
33. Reflect on your goals
Self-reflection and retrospection are an underrated form of self-care. The only way you can take care of yourself is by understanding yourself and your goals.
Explore your inner thoughts and desires, maybe through journaling, and really get to know yourself. This is a great way to make sure you are living the life of your dreams and, if not, look deeper at the small changes you can make to get there.
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To sum up
Remember, self-care is about prioritizing your overall well-being, body, mind, and soul. You only need to find small, mindful habits that nurture and recharge you. It isn’t about expensive spas and wellness retreats.
The above 33 daily self-care ideas are a great place to start caring for yourself without spending a cent. So you don’t have an excuse not to fill your cup and recharge your soul.