Self-Care Doesn’t Have to Cost a Thing
Self-care has become a popular topic in media and elsewhere, and with that has often come the misconception that engaging in self-care has to be something elaborate that costs money, such as a spa day, getting a mani/pedi, taking a beach vacation, etc. While these are perfectly good examples of what works as self-care for some people, self-care can and does include so much more. It does not have to be costly or time-consuming, but can be something you incorporate into your routine for a short time throughout your day as you have time. To help you start thinking out of the box, below are some examples of things that you might not have considered to be self-care, but totally are!
Setting Healthy Boundaries
While not always the easiest or comfortable thing to do, setting healthy boundaries is actually a really important form of self-care. Setting limits around how you spend your time and who you spend it with is an important way to take care of yourself and your health. Recognizing when you do not want to do something or you need to rest, and being able to say no, can be powerful ways of taking care of yourself.
Tidying Your Living/Work Space
Oftentimes, our environment can reflect how we are feeling mentally and emotionally. For example, if you are feeling stressed, the spaces you spend time in may also feel cluttered and unorganized, perpetuating your feelings of stress and lack of control. Creating an organized space where you spend your time, such as your living room or office, can help you feel more in control and settled when spending time there.
Tidying Your Social Media
Similar to above, it can also be helpful to tidy up your social media pages. If you find yourself following people or pages that leave you feeling bad about yourself or comparing yourself to others, it might be a good idea to unfollow or hide these pages and posts. Focus on filling your feeds with words and images that inspire and empower you, leaving you feeling positive emotions after scrolling.
Listening to Music
We’ve all probably experienced the feeling of hearing our favorite song on the radio and instantly feeling a boost in our mood. This is because music has been shown to have many beneficial effects on our brains, including releasing chemicals that make us feel good. Creating an uplifting playlist (some 90s Britney, anyone?) and having it with you where you can turn it on and listen throughout the day can be a quick and easy pick-me-up.
Doing Something Creative
Whether you are into arts & crafts, writing, or anything in between, engaging in an activity that taps into the creative part of your brain can have positive effects on your well-being. Setting aside some time regularly to do something that allows you to be creative can be a powerful self-care activity.
As you can see from the above list, self-care can include a wide-range of things, many of which you can do without cost and for only a short time during your day. If you feel like you could use some guidance and support as you work on focusing more on your self-care, counseling can be a helpful place to begin the process of finding healthy ways to take care of yourself.
