Free Self-Care Ideas

Share this article:

Is money keeping you from practicing self-care regularly?  If so, let me let you in on a little secret.  There are several free self-care activities that are effective and accessible to anyone who is in need of some downtime to relax and recharge. 

You deserve self-care.  And even if you’re not splurging on something extravagant, there are still effective ways to achieve your desired goals.  When planning activities for your next day of relaxation, don’t overlook the free and low-cost options that will help you take care of your physical and mental needs. 

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we earn a commission, but it won’t affect your purchase price or experience.

Why is so hard to prioritize your needs?

Women are natural givers. Whether it be to their families, their communities, or even to complete strangers, it’s common to find a woman providing others with the care and attention they need to navigate life. 

This characteristic often leaves women putting their own needs on the backburner. This repeated behavior leaves them overwhelmed, frustrated, and physically drained. Prioritizing your needs is necessary if you want to be your best self. 

What are some self care ideas that don’t cost any money?

One of the biggest self-care myths is that self-care is expensive.  Well, it certainly can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.  There are several very effective ways to take care of yourself without spending any money at all. 

Here are some ways to prioritize your health and wellness without spending any money:

Take a time out.

So often we have an “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to taking care of ourselves.  It’s important to recognize that just a little bit of alone time is all you need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. 

Don’t discount the power of a time out. When you find a few minutes in your day, sit in a room alone with a nice cup of tea. Put on your favorite music playlist. Simply enjoy the time alone. 

Do Nothing.

Women often feel pressured to be productive all the time. Why do we do this to ourselves? Every minute of our day does not have to be spent accomplishing a task.  Sometimes, it’s okay to just be.  

An effective way to care for your mental health is to just kick back and do nothing.  Let your mind relax for a minute.  Give yourself permission to do something frivolous or simply do nothing at all. You deserve it.

Write in a journal.

Writing is one of my favorite ways to declutter my mind.  There is evidence that suggests a link between writing and decreased mental distress.  WebMD lists additional research to support the mental health benefits associated with writing. 

You do not have to be a writer in order to reap the therapeutic benefits of this activity. You can simply jot down what you’re grateful for or do a brain dump to get rid of all the ideas and feelings floating around in your head. 

Even something as simple as writing down your dreams for the future can be beneficial to well-being.  

Reach out to someone.

Humans are social beings. Communicating with friends and loved ones is a crucial component to your mental health. Humans aren’t mean to be isolated.  So, pick up the phone and call or text someone you haven’t talked to in a while the next time you have some downtime. 

Change your secretary.

A change of scenery can be an effective source of renewal.  Sometimes, just being in a different space can change your entire mood. If you’ve been in the house all day, get outside for a bit and vice versa.  If you usually take walks in the same park every day, find a different walking trail every once in a while. 

More free activities to help you rest and recharge

These are just a few of the countless ways you can indulge in self-care without spending money. Do not delay prioritizing yourself due to the myth that self-care has to cost money in order to be effective.  You can take care of yourself without breaking the bank.