Self-care isn’t just splurging on new gadgets and outfits for a quick boost of serotonin. A little retail therapy definitely has its benefits, but self-care can also be enjoyed on a small budget because it’s about managing your well-being by tending to your needs.
It’s important to take time each week to reconnect with the present moment and yourself. This allows you to acknowledge your emotions, mental health, and physical wellness while improving your overall well-being with a little pampering.
There are thousands of ways to do this, from a weekly yoga class to browsing new releases at your favorite book store. Of course, you can pamper yourself without spending a fortune. Schedule weekly “you” time with these self-care ideas for a happier, healthier you.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
Enjoy a Walk
Walking is an underrated form of exercise. Regular walks can improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen your bones, and reduce your risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. All without expensive equipment or a gym membership. It’s a good way to relax by yourself or enjoy with your friends, family, or pet.
Take In The Scenery
Forest bathing is a growing trend that taps into the proven health benefits of plants. All you need is to take a walk through the woods to enjoy the sights, smells, and positive energy of nature. This is a great way to enjoy self-care on a budget since Mother Nature is free!
Time in nature is hugely beneficial to your mental well-being and can improve your mindfulness practices. Even if you can’t hit the trails, you can benefit from indoor plants, gardens, or even images of green spaces.
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Dress to Impress
Wearing your favorite outfit, doing your hair, and trying a new makeup look can all help you look and feel your best. If you’re really looking for a mood boost, try incorporating some color theory into your wardrobe.
Yellow is sure to help you feel cheery, while red can give you the confidence you need to ace a job interview. It doesn’t cost a cent to dress up for yourself, though you can treat yourself to a new outfit or accessory every once in a while.
Jot In Your Journal
Journals are perfect tools for planning, processing, and creativity. Take time to journal each week and consider setting a writing goal for yourself.
You may want to improve your mindfulness, and gratitude journaling is a great way to do just that. If you’re trying to be more creative, choose a writing prompt each week or create interesting characters in your journal. No matter what you write, make sure it’s serving you and your needs.
Celebrate With a Spa Day
The classic self-care spa day lets you unwind and relax at home. Start with a soothing bath and enjoy some aromatherapy with essential oils, candles, or bath products. Then enjoy a rejuvenating facial, mani/pedi, or moment for meditation.
Whichever spa day activities you choose, schedule this time with your family so you can shut your phone off without stress. This is your time to enjoy a few hours to yourself without worrying about work, chores, and other distractions.
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Regardless of your self-care budget, choose a day each week where you can dedicate a couple of hours to your needs. Building self-care into a schedule will help you prioritize your wellness so you can be the best and brightest version of yourself.
Enjoy these additional self-care ideas and pamper yourself without guilt.
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Author Bio
Briana Marvell is a content creator from Austin with interests in personal finance and housing. When she’s not at her desk, you can find her hiking with her dog or enjoying a good book. Find her on LinkedIn & Twitter.
Being outdoors has several incredible benefits for moms, but it’s not always easy to do. Trying to juggle kids, plus housework – it’s not uncommon for a stay at home mom’s outdoor exposure to be limited to an open window. And when we do get outside, it’s usually to chase after the kids or do more work outdoors. Some of these self care ideas can help moms get outdoors with the sole intention of rest and relaxation.
Try one of these outdoor self care ideas this summer!
*This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust.
1. Go for a walk or run around the block
One of the easiest outdoor self care ideas is to go for a walk or jog around your own neighborhood. It doesn’t cost anything, require any scheduling or take up much time. Whether you’re in the mood for a marathon run or just a leisurely stroll – your own neighborhood is the best place to start!
2. Pump your legs on a playground swing
Moms always seem to get the boring jobs at playgrounds. We stand at the bottom of slides, push our kids on the swings and hold their legs as they attempt to make their way across the monkey bars. Instead of being a playground servant – free your inner child and go for a swing or a slide!
3. Visit an outdoor spa
Outdoor spas are becoming more and more popular these days. The benefits of fresh air and nature are unmatched by anything else. Check out a Scandinavian-style spa, a hot spring, or soak in an outdoor hot tub.
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4. Take a hike or follow a forest trail
Hiking can be intimidating to anyone, especially a mother fresh off of postpartum recovery or who has to take little ones along with her. Strolling down a well maintained path through the forest still has a lot of benefits. For the more adventurous mom, make a bucket list of trails that you’d like to conquer and check one off as often as possible.
5. Relax in a hammock
Nothing says relaxation quite like napping in a hammock on a hot summer day. The gentle swaying motion is sure to lull you into a relaxed state, just like a baby in a cradle. Plus, the light summer breeze and sunshine on your face provides the perfect atmosphere.
6. Spend some time gardening
Another excellent self care idea is to start a backyard garden. Digging your bare hands or feet into the soil is actually good for your mental health, as soil contains a special bacteria that works like a natural antidepressant. Caring for a garden is sure to get you outdoors all summer long and at the end of the season, you’ll have a healthy batch of crops to show for it!
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7. Go for a bike ride
Park the minivan and go for a bike ride instead. It’s not a practical form of transportation for everyday life, but going for a bike ride regularly has it’s benefits. Biking improves your physical health and can be an enjoyable form of self care, either alone or with the whole family. If you want to lose weight or get fit, you can amp up the intensity of your rides to burn calories faster. Cycling interval training, which is essentially alternating between periods of low-intensity and high-intensity cycling, can provide the workout to help your shed off those extra pounds and get more fit. For interval training, using cycling tools, such as a power meter and a heart-rate monitor, can help ensure that you make every session count and that you accomplish your goals.
8. Enjoy a picnic in the park
Another simple activity to get you outdoors is to eat one of your meals picnic-style. You can go to a park or eat in your own backyard. Spread a picnic blanket or gather around an outdoor table. Go out on your own, with your spouse or as an entire family… the kids will love it just as much as you will.
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9. Shop a local farmers market
Local farmers markets sell much more than just fruit and vegetables these days. You can find all kinds of organic, locally made things like health and beauty products, jewelry, clothing and so much more! Not only is it wonderful to support local businesses, but you’ll get your hands on food and products that are so much better for your health.
10. Camp out for a night or two
Camping is not for everyone. In fact, most mothers with small children will swear that it’s more work than anything else. Even “glamping“ has it’s pitfalls. Once traveling out of town becomes safer, you should definitely try camping outdoors. It will do wonders for your and your family’s mental health to be surrounded by nature after being cooped inside for months. For outdoor activities, a lightweight backpack for travelers is indispensable for all your camping essentials.
11. Pick some wildflowers
Fresh flowers have a way of brightening up anyone’s home. One of the simplest self care ideas is to pick some yourself. Obviously, don’t invade your neighbor’s prize tulips, but anyone with a lilac bush will surely be glad to let you help trim it back. Fields and parks are usually full of all kinds of wildflowers. Or sprinkle some wildflower seeds in your yard this spring and have an abundant supply all summer long.
12. Go for a boat ride
Being on the water in a middle of a lake is a wonderful way to help clear your mind. You can literally get away from it all. Choose a hot day because there’s nothing quite like the breeze off the water. But beware, the rocking motion of a boat can be soothing for some – not so much for others.
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13. Volunteer to walk a dog from a pet shelter
If you don’t have your own furry friend to take along with you on walks, then check out if your local pet shelter needs volunteers. The dogs there are always in need of some extra love and you can both benefit from spending some time together.
14. Paint your nails
What’s the most annoying thing about painting your nails? Waiting for them to dry. Use that as an excuse to get outside and stay outside. Paint your nails and then relax in a lounge chair without any need to get up. You can even try a face mask, soak your feet or exfoliate your skin outdoors. Take the pampering outdoors, I promise you wont regret it.
15. Swim or float in a lake or outdoor pool
Swimming is a great low-impact exercise and perfect for hot summer days. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, then blow up an inflatable tube and float around on the water without a care.
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16. Build a bird house, bat house or bee hive
Sometimes stress and frustration can build up and come out in undesirable ways. Finding a creative outlet for all those pent up emotions is a great form of self care. Try building your own bird house or bat house for your yard. Not only will you be doing nature a favor, but you can help control the pesky mosquito population. If you have a garden, making your own bee hive can increase your crop production!
17. Spend a night star gazing
If it’s a clear night outside, lay down a blanket and watch the stars. Head outside the city and away from the street lights for a better view. Star gazing is a great form of stress and anxiety relief and can remind you of just how small your problems are in this giant world.
18. Sit on the beach
A beach day is one of my favorite self care ideas. Get out your lounge chair or blanket, a beach umbrella and some sunglasses and relax in the sand. Dig your feet into the wet sand to exfoliate and massage them. Cool yourself off in the water. Listen to the sounds of the waves, the seagulls and the children playing.
19. Visit a greenhouse or garden center
Greenhouses are fantastic places to look for inspiration for your own backyard. From plants and flowers to water features and deck ideas, you can create your own back yard self care sanctuary. Focusing on an outdoor project can help keep your mind sharp and distracted in a good way.
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20. Have a bonfire
Sitting around a bonfire is an excellent stress reliever. The smell of the wood, and crackling of the flames is a feast for the senses. Roast marshmallows or hot dogs if you want to. It’s a nice treat anytime of the day, not just for nights at the cabin.
21. Visit a farm
Spending time with animals is great for our mental health and considered a form of ecotherapy. There are usually lots of local farms that open up to visitors. You can pet animals, ride horses, climb up hay bales, milk a cow or collect eggs from the hen house.
22. Watch the sunrise
While I would never deliberately encourage a mom to lose out on sleep – getting up early to watch the sunrise can be totally worth it. The way the sunlight moves slowly over everything is breathtaking. You can meditate, do yoga or just sip some hot coffee. It’s an amazing way to start the day.
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23. Do some fruit picking
Spend the day at an orchard or strawberry farm. Not only will you get to experience the beauty of it all, but you’ll get to go home with some fresh, organic fruit as a result.
24. Take nature pictures
Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a selfie queen, nature provides an endless supply of photo ops. Try taking pictures of the birds, the trees or a sunset. If you get a really good shot, have it printed and framed and you’ve just created a free piece of art for your walls.
25. Dance in the rain
Getting outdoors isn’t reserved just for the hot summer days. Even rain storms can be beautiful. The next time it rains, don’t run and hide. Ditch the umbrella, kick off your shoes and dance in the rain. Embrace it and let all your cares wash away.
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