Looking after our bodies and minds is essential to our health and well-being. Surveys reveal that 7 out of 10 individuals practicing self-care report increased happiness, stress relief and productivity. But if you’re on a budget, that spa trip or weekend mini-break might feel out of your price range. This article looks at how to practice self-care on a budget.
Have A Magnesium Mineral Soak
Magnesium plays an essential role in the body, helping to regulate body functions from blood pressure to muscle movement. Pure magnesium flakes can help you relax while you're having a calming soak. The bath's hot water helps the pores in your skin open up, so the magnesium can enter your body. Magnesium helps to reduce inflammation, which can put your body under undue stress. Combining a relaxing bath with the therapeutic effects of magnesium is an excellent way to wind down after a stressful day. You can add an element of additional luxury to your bath by having your favourite drink, a good book and some lit candles. You deserve it.
Go Outside For Thirty Minutes
The sun helps our bodies make Vitamin D, which is good for our bones and immune systems. It is essential in regulating our sleep patterns and even produces a mood-boosting hormone called serotonin. Go for a thirty-minute walk outside; even if you can't get out into a green space, the simple act of walking is good for you. Is it raining? Exercising in a cold or wet environment helps your skin and helps you burn fat quicker. So even going outside in bad weather is a form of self care.
Declutter And Detox From Social Media
How much time do you spend scrolling through social media? Doom Scrolling is now an accepted term for consuming negative news on Instagram, TikTok or your favourite site. Taking in excessive negative information can erode your resilience and is ultimately bad for your mental health. Start with a social media declutter to remove excessively negative or unhealthy information from your newsfeed. Then, implement some detox time from social media.
Apps like Forest can help you keep away from social media. Every half an hour away from your phone means you grow a virtual tree. Use your phone in that half hour, and the tree dies. The app even plants real trees on your behalf as you grow your virtual forest. A free self care solution for yourself that helps the planet too.
Meditate For Five Minutes
As little as five minutes of meditation a day can do wonders for your mental health. Studies suggest that meditation is an effective way to reduce anxiety and low mood. Meditation can take many forms, including guided, mantra, and loving-kindness meditation. Some individuals like to meditate in silence, while others like to listen to music or a story. Many also combine meditation with physical relaxation techniques, like gentle stretches or yoga.
Connect With People In Real Life
In the digital age, where we often talk to people over video calls or on social media, we can forget the importance of connecting with people in real life. Get outside and interact with your close friends or family. It can be as simple as grabbing a coffee with a friend or meeting your mum for a walk in the park. Humans are social creatures, and time together can elevate our mood and help regulate our stress levels. It can also help us get out of our heads and gain perspective.
Find A Hobby
Many of us often feel too tired or stressed to consider a hobby after work. But switching off from work mode and completing fun activities is essential for our health and well-being. Having a focus away from work will help us manage our work-life balance. Studies support that individuals with hobbies report better moods, lower stress, and even lower blood pressure.
If possible, try to find a hobby that helps you switch off electronics, like knitting or running. As many of us have roles that place us in front of a laptop, having activities that get you doing something with your hands or body can significantly reduce your stress levels.
Check In With Yourself
How often are we aware of what is happening in our minds and bodies? Checking in with yourself is a form of self care that helps you better understand your emotions. Are you mad or hungry? Are you satisfied or anxious? Take five minutes out of your day to assess how you are feeling. Do you tend to overwork or have an unhealthy coping mechanism for stress? A reminder to check in can help you kick unhealthy habits and treat yourself better.
Consider Volunteering
Volunteering can help you connect with others and feel connected with the world. Donating your time to support a cause you care about can help you shift how you think about yourself and boost your mood. As well as helping others, it can get you involved in a new community of like-minded people. Studies suggest that individuals who volunteer report better physical and mental health.
Not sure where to start? Think about a specific skill you have. You might be good at writing, math, or football. You might want to lend your time to a local youth club or homeless center or even tutor in your spare time.
Conclusion
Self care doesn't need to be expensive spas or indulgent weekends away. It can be five minutes you spend checking in with yourself. It's the coffee you have with a friend or that day you volunteer at the animal shelter. Whether you enjoy a magnesium bath soak or time spent in nature, self care is for everyone. Enjoy being kind to yourself without spending large sums of money with these self care tips from Trace Minerals.
