Twenty Free Ways to Practice Self-Care

One of the hottest topics on the internet these days is self-care, and for good reason. Self-care is about taking time to actively care for your mental and physical health. One of the best things about practicing self-care is that it’s free! I’ve created this list of 20 free ways to practice self-care to help you find what works best for you.

Why Practice Self-Care?

Doing small things for yourself throughout the day or week can have huge benefits in the long run. It can help you reduce stress and anxiety. You can use it to improve your mood and mindset. You can also use self-care to reduce your risk of preventable illnesses through increased activity and better nutrition.

Self-Care and Commercialization

Self-care has become a huge industry. I am constantly advertised self-care products and subscription services. Commercializing self-care is problematic because it takes away the true meaning and purpose of self-care, which is taking time to prioritize your mental and physical health. It is very misleading to have self-care in the media be focused around buying products. You do not need to buy things to practice good self-care. There are so many things you can do for free in your day-to-day life to stay healthy mentally and physically!

Free Ways to Practice Self-Care

I have created this list of free self-care ideas to help others find what works for them. This list is by no means complete. Self-care is different for everyone. My hope is that you will find an idea that speaks to you that you may not have thought of before.

1. Go for a walk

I cannot recommend walking enough! Walking is not just a good way to get some exercise, it is also beneficial to your mental health. If you’d like to learn more, you can read this short article from Psychology Today.

2. Stretch

Stretching is good for your muscles and circulation, and can also increase your energy levels. It can also be very relaxing for your mind.

3. Meditate

Meditating can reduce stress and anxiety. It is also good for your physical health too! I personally use Headspace for meditation. Their full services require a paid subscription (they have free elements available), but their website is worth checking out just for the large quantity of easy to read information they have about meditation available for free.

4. Draw

Doodling is a great way to relieve stress. Having a creative outlet can help with processing emotions.

5. Journal

There are many ways that writing can help improve your mental health. It can help you make sense of problems. Writing about issues you are facing can help you to move past them. You can start a gratitude journal to help build a positive mindset, or build self-confidence by keeping a list of things you like about yourself. Journaling is also a creative outlet.

6. Spend time in nature

Humans were designed to be outdoors! Being in nature has a huge positive impact on mental health. I will likely make a post dedicated to nature and mental health in the future. For now, if you’d like to learn more you can start with this article from Psychology Today.

7. Go running

Running keeps your body healthy, and also helps reduce stress.

8. Read a book

Reading is a great way to escape. Just go to your local library and you have countless books at your finger tips – for free! A lot of libraries also have digital options available, so you don’t even need to leave the house.

9. Clean your house

Organizing your space can do wonders for your mental health. It can help boost your productivity and your mood. If this self-care idea really speaks to you, check out Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

10. Fold your laundry

Doing laundry may not be everyone’s go-to self-care activity, but it’s something that really resonates with me, so maybe it will for you too! I find that folding and organizing my clothes really relaxes me. Folding is something that needs to be done, so it allows me to slow down and focus on one task without feeling guilty that I’m not being productive.

11. Hydrate

One of the simplest things you can do for your mind and body is to drink water. Thinking about hydration as a form of self-care can help you to appreciate it’s importance.

12. Talk to a loved-one

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to reach out to someone you care about.

13. Listen to music

Listening to music can be a great way to relax and relieve stress. Music can be a very emotional experience for some people, so make sure you choose music that will positively effect you mood.

14. Try Yoga

Yoga offers a lot of the same self-care benefits as stretching, as well as the benefits of meditation. Basic yoga tutorials are easy to access for free on YouTube or with a quick google search.

15. Do something simple from your to-do list

Sometimes when you are feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is to get something done. Pick something easy and that doesn’t take much time. Getting one thing done can help you feel accomplished and motivate you to keep going. But don’t forget, it’s always okay to take a break!

16. Take a shower/bath

Sometimes when we are feeling low, the simplest forms of self-care become forgotten or feel overwhelming. Just taking a shower can be exactly what you need to reset your mindset and start to feel better about yourself.

17. Plan a healthy meal schedule

Planning out your meals can be a form of self-care because it will help you reduce your stress in the long run. Having your meals planned also means you are taking an active role in your health and nutrition.

18. Create an equipment-free work out

A quick google search will land you lots of different exercises you can do in your home, no equipment required. Not having the money to pay for the gym doesn’t mean you can’t stay fit and healthy. Exercise is necessary in taking care of your body.

19. Sit in the sun

Sunlight has been proven to improve mental health. Getting some sun is especially important if you live in a high or low latitude where the daylight hours are very short in the winter. If you live in these latitudes, your risk of Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) is higher. SAD is a form of depression where you have a lower mood during the winter time when there are less hours of daylight and is treated by light therapy. Just make sure you always wear sunscreen when you go out in the sun!

20. Sleep

One of the most important things you can do for your body is to get enough sleep. Sleep is 100% a form of self-care and it is important to think about it as such. It is way too common to sacrifice sleep for other endeavors. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to go to bed on time.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this list has helped you find the best free forms of self-care for yourself. There are so many more ways to practice self-care. Leave your ideas in the comment section so we can continue to learn and grow together!