HOW TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE WHEN YOU’RE TOO BUSY OR BROKE

by Patricia Charday November 7, 2024

Self-care is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot. And while it can be very expensive and time-consuming to treat yourself well in the traditional sense (getting your nails done, getting massages), there are some things you can do for yourself at home that don't cost a ton of money or require much time. These are my favorite self-care hacks for when I'm too broke and busy to go out (but still need to take care of myself).

Spend time outside.

Getting outside is good for your mental health, and it's free! The sun has been shown to make us happier and more productive. There are lots of ways you can enjoy the outdoors without spending money on anything except perhaps sunscreen (I recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen). Here are some ideas:

Walk or bike instead of taking public transportation, if possible. You'll get some exercise while getting some fresh air (and saving money).
Go for a hike with friends or family members who live nearby, or find one nearby on Google Maps (it has all sorts of cool things like trails).

Paint your nails.

Paint your nails. The next time you have 10 minutes to spare and nothing else on the agenda, paint your nails. It costs nothing and takes very little time--just get out the polish, find a brush (if necessary), and go to town! You can also do this with friends or family members; it's a great way to bond over something that doesn't cost anything except for maybe some nail polish remover if you mess up.

Do a deep clean of your room.

Clean your room. It's important to have a space that feels clean, organized and comfortable. This is the place where you will be spending most of your time when not at work or school so it's important that it is inviting for you.
Organize your closet. If there are clothes in there that don't fit anymore, get rid of them! If there are items from high school still hanging around (or even college), donate them! Now would also be a good time to look at what colors work best for you and make sure everything matches nicely together rather than having different shades thrown in together without any thought behind it.

These are things you can do for yourself that aren't super expensive, but help you feel better

These are things you can do for yourself that aren't super expensive, but help you feel better:

Stretch. Yoga is great, but if it's not your thing, try just stretching by yourself in front of the TV. It helps release tension and relaxes your body. You can even make it into a game with friends--whoever can hold their stretch for longest wins!
Take a bath/shower. Whether or not it's bath time at home or shower time at the gym (if you have access), taking time out of your day to relax will help clear up some headspace so that when it comes time to focus on work again, it'll be easier than before!
Meditate or pray if that's something that makes sense for you personally; maybe even journal about what was going through mind earlier today--whatever works best!

I think it's important to remember that self-care doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. In fact, some of the best ways to take care of yourself are things you can do in just a few minutes each day: reading a book, going for a walk outside or doing yoga poses at home! The key is finding what works for you and practicing those things consistently until they become habits. You got this!