When we think of self-care, we often picture luxurious vacations, expensive skincare products. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to cost you a fortune and several ideas can be game-changing if practised in our everyday lives. Self-care means different things to different people, but if you really probe into the origins of the phrase, it stands for anything that gives your mental and physical health a boost. To help you take better care of yourself, we’ve put together a list of easily doable self-care activities that will cost you nothing.
Practising positive self-talk
It is the easiest thing in the world to put yourself down with negative thoughts. The worst part is that this practice can become a habit, leaving you glum, demotivated, and defeated. If you want to break out of this cycle, the easiest thing to do is to fight negativity with positive self-talk. If you don’t know where to begin, just list three things you like about yourself and repeat them to yourself while looking in the mirror. This may seem a little awkward at first but over time, you will see the effects of this activity. Read about the power of giving yourself a high-five, here.
Saying ‘no’
The other day, I read a quote that really made me think: ‘By saying ‘yes’ to things you don’t want to do, you’re saying ‘no’ to future opportunities that you may want to be a part of. Declining something doesn’t make you a bad person, it is an act of self-care that we all should partake in. Of course, there are deadlines and conversations and things to check up on but we live in a day and age where everything is urgent, overwhelming, and pressing. This is why it is important to maintain boundaries and prioritise things that matter to you. Do it right now so later, you’re less stressed, more energetic, and generally well.